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42. Forty-Two

Chase

When I arrive home later that night, the house is dark. Val would always leave a light on in the house, so I know she’s not in the apartment before I even open the door. I grimace as I flip on the light switch. I look around and everything looks exactly like it did when I left. Except Val isn’t here. The empty apartment seems to mock me.

I can’t believe how the night ended. How arrogant I was to believe that she wanted something more than friendship. I pull out my cell phone and look down at the red beating heart that made me think she might feel the same way about me as I feel about her.

I go to delete the heart, but at the last minute, I don’t. I can’t. It’s the last text I may ever get from Val. I’m not only losing my wife, I’m losing my best friend. She gets me. She always has.

I could tell earlier tonight that she felt bad. She probably didn’t know how to tell me how she’s been feeling. She wants to move on with finding someone she can love. And it’s not me. Fuck.

I shake my head in disgust. I had a surprise planned. Tonight, I wanted to show her the name I had airbrushed on her motorcycle. I knew she’d like it. Instead, the entire conversation went to hell. Her words were a shock and totally unexpected.

I should have asked more questions, stayed, and talked to her about her decision. Instead, I felt like I’d been sucker punched. I had to leave.

I needed to get on my bike and cruise around on my motorcycle just to clear my head. While that’s always worked in the past, tonight, no matter how long I rode around, I couldn’t escape my thoughts. I just kept thinking about losing Val. I don’t want to lose her. I can’t.

I get undressed and then crawl between the sheets. I look over at Val’s side of the bed that’s now empty. Dammit.

I turn my back to the empty space and then viciously punch my pillows into place.

I doubt I’ll be able to sleep a wink. My eyelids wearily close.

When I open my eyes again, it’s morning. There’s sunlight peeking through the blinds. I guess those missed hours of sleep finally caught up with me.

I push back the covers and sit up in bed. It’s Friday, and Val’s at work. That means I have all day to figure out what to say to her.

I take a long hot shower, then grab something to eat as I think over how I should go about discussing things with Val. I’m still not sure what to say.

My cell phone rings, and I see it’s Jaxson.

“Hi, Jaxson. What’s up?”

“I was calling to find out what Val decided to do about her uncle taking those kickbacks. I thought I’d call you since she’s probably at work. Are they going to press charges?”

“Jaxson, I’ve been working nights, and Val and I haven’t had a chance to talk. You found proof that her uncle was getting kickbacks from ReConstruct?”

“Yes, multiple deposits to different accounts.”

“How much?”

“Two million over the last five years.”

“Damn.”

“Yeah. Once you talk to her, let me know what she decides, okay?”

“I will. Oh, one more thing... How long has Val known?”

“She came to see me on Wednesday, right before lunch.”

“Thanks, Jaxson.”

Why wouldn’t Val have mentioned this to me? She has to be upset about this. I know I’ve been working nights, but she could have called me. We saw each other on Thursday during negotiations. Is that why she was so distant?

It doesn’t make sense. Why didn’t she let me know the minute she found out?

I keep going over things in my head as I get dressed. Then I give Carol my realtor, a call.

“Hey Carol, I need to cancel the viewing tomorrow.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. But no worries, the owners are having an open house tomorrow, regardless. Oh, and Chase, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding with Val.”

“What misunderstanding?”

“What my assistant, Jeannie, told Val.”

“What did she tell Val?”

“That only your side of the apartment was going up for sale. Jeannie didn’t know she was your wife, the title for the other apartment still shows Valentina Carlucci. My assistant was anxious to assure Val that she wouldn’t be affected by the listing.”

“What time was Jeannie here?”

“A little after one o’clock, I believe, I think she had just finished lunch. Why?”

“Just curious. Thanks, Carol.”

Is that what last night was all about? Val, didn’t know I wanted both of us to move? Could it be a misunderstanding? Shit! I better get this straightened out. I need to talk to Val.

I ring Val’s cell phone, but she doesn’t answer. I don’t leave a message.

Maybe she didn’t go to work. I walk over to her apartment, unlock the door, and walk in. She’s not here. She’s probably at work. I walk through her dark apartment, thinking about Val. What to say to her? I notice her bathroom light is on. I reach in to turn off the light when I notice something in the trash can. Is that?

No— I walk over to the trash can and look down. I see two pink faded but distinct lines.

She’s pregnant. Val is pregnant.

My head reels. I lean against the sink counter. She didn”t tell me. She knows I’ve never wanted kids. She was on the pill. Damn it. How did this happen?

I shake my head ruefully. I know how this happened.

I walk out of the bathroom and make it as far as her kitchen. Then I sag into a chair. I put my head in my hands. I need to think this through. Dammit.

I sit there in shock. My mind spins with my thoughts. A baby. Val”s carrying my child.

I think of a future without Val.

Suddenly, my mind clears. I stand up with purpose. There’s an urgency to my step. I need to see Val, to talk to her. Now. I don’t want to wait.

I jump in my car and drive to Carlucci’s. When I enter the reception area, I nod to Sue and then head toward the elevators.

“Hello, Chase.”

“Hi, Sue. I need to talk to Val.”

“You don’t have much time. She’s getting ready for an emergency board meeting. It starts in less than ten minutes.”

“Thanks for the heads up. I better hurry.”

I get in the elevator and push the button for the top floor.

I go to Val’s department and follow someone into the room. I go straight to Val’s office, and it’s empty. Shit.

I go back into the main room, and then I see someone I recognize.

“Dave. Hi, I came by to talk to Val. I know she’s got a meeting, but do you know where I could find her?”

“Sure, the executive conference room is down the hall. I’ll show you. Hopefully, you’ll be able to catch her before the meeting starts.”

I follow Dave down the hall.

I see Val. She’s getting ready to walk into the conference room. She is dressed in blue dress pants and a silk royal blue shirt. She looks beautiful.

“Val!”

She looks at me, and her eyes widen. “Chase, what are you doing here? I’m sorry, but I don’t have time for a discussion right now.”

“Val, I know you have an emergency meeting, but I need to talk to you.”

She bites her lip and then looks searching at me. She nods once, then turns and says, “We can talk in here.”

She opens a door to a small copier room, and we step inside.

“Val, first, we need to clear some things up.”

She warily looks at me, “Okay.”

As soon as she closes the door, I reach out, take Val into my arms, and give her a hungry kiss full of promise. She kisses me back; she can’t hide her body’s involuntary response to me. It’s telling.

I lift my head but keep my arms around her waist. She looks up at me and bites her lip.

“First. Val, I called my realtor this morning to cancel tomorrow’s appointment to see a house. I found a place I think would be perfect for us to move into.”

“Us?”

“Yes, I thought I could talk you into selling the duplex so we could move into a larger home with more room for both of us. Carol’s assistant didn’t know we were married. She thought you were worried about having a new neighbor.”

Val gives me a soft, relieved smile, then lifts her eyebrow, “Does this house have a big kitchen?”

“It’s got a huge kitchen and three bathrooms.”

“A walk-in closet?”

“A his and hers, walk-in closet.”

“What about the backyard?”

“It’s got a great backyard, but could probably use a few more plants.”

“Anything else?” her eyes search mine.

“Yes, there’s four bedrooms, one that would be perfect—“

The door is suddenly yanked open by a frantic-looking Ellen. Dave is standing behind her with an apologetic look on his face.

“There you are. Val, they’re asking for you in the board meeting.”

Val turns reluctantly, “Alright. I’ll be there in a minute,” then she stops and looks at me, “Chase–”

“We’ll talk later,” I promise her and squeeze her hand.

“Do you want to join us for the meeting?”

“Yes, I’d like that.”

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