44. Tammy

CHAPTER 44

TAMMY

I stay in the kitchen, swaying on my feet as I listen to Baxter in the mudroom. He shoves his big feet into those boots he loves so much, and I hear Fezzik yapping excitedly. The door opens, then slams shut. I flinch, Fezzik's happy bark fading into the distance as Baxter walks away from me.

Again.

Why does it hurt so freaking much?

Haven't I chosen Hudson?

Haven't I done the right thing for my family?

Anger flares through me, a white-hot emotion I wasn't expecting.

But it burns bright as I think about Baxter, no doubt shoving his hands into his pockets and hunching his shoulders as he leaves me to piece my marriage back together.

Why didn't he fight for me?

He never has, and he never will.

I might be the only girl he's ever wanted, but once again he's let Hudson sweep into our lives and take me away.

Maybe that's how it's meant to be, you know?

Maybe I do want a man who will drive through the night to win me back.

I try to bolster myself with that fact as I clear my throat and put on a bright smile for Kai.

"Once you've finished your breakfast, we're gonna pack up our stuff and follow Daddy home, okay?"

Kai's lips purse for a second, but then he nods. "Okay, Mommy."

"Good boy." I kiss the top of his head and avoid Rachel's heartbroken gaze as I slip out of the room.

As soon as I'm out of sight, I rest my back against the wall and fight an onslaught of gut-wrenching sobs. My body jerks with them as I struggle to keep my composure.

"Tam?" Hudson appears in the hallway.

His expression folds as he takes in my wrecked face, and then he's against me in a heartbeat, pulling me to his chest and holding me.

"I've got you," he whispers. "It's okay. We're gonna get through this."

I let me him hold me because I'm too distraught to do anything else. He has no idea why I'm so broken, and it's probably best that he never does.

"Shhhh, it's okay, baby." His soft voice comforts me, and I end up clinging to him, crying against his shoulder as his arms envelop me.

He's not turning his back and walking out the door.

He came for me. He drove through the night for me.

And that has to count for something.

So, I'll go back to my marriage, I guess.

I'll go back, and I'll make it work because it's the right thing to do.

Because my heart can't handle the pain of having Baxter push me out of his life yet again.