Page 54 of It Hurts Me
I nodded in agreement.
“I love my babies more than life itself, but they really changed everything. Though, the idea of them needing me less as they get older fills me with a sadness that hurts more than a bullet in the arm.”
Once upon a time, I wanted a family. The quiet life that he had. But now, I couldn’t imagine it ever. I was exactly where I belonged. This was the path I was destined to take. What happened in the past…was just a lapse in judgment.
When the waitress came back, Axel ordered two things, one to take home.
“I’ll take the chicken.” I handed over the menu.
Now that the stressful part of the evening had passed, Axel sipped his drink and relaxed. “How are things with Astrid?”
“It’s not a relationship, Axel.”
“Did I say it was?”
“It’s implied.”
“Fine,” he said. “How’s your little affair going?”
“It’s not an affair if her husband knows about it.”
He cocked his head. “But does he know about it?”
I had no idea what she told him. It was none of my business.
“I think if he knew, you would know,” he said. “You aren’t the least bit curious who he is?”
“No.” I had no respect for him for hurting his wife the way he did. She was one hell of a catch, and he was an idiot to squander her. She deserved better, and it was a shame she didn’t believe that herself.
“You guys never talk about him?”
“She said she doesn’t want to talk about him. And when I’m fucking a woman, I don’t like to think about other men—or other men she may be fucking.”
“If you didn’t care about her, you wouldn’t care if she’s fucking someone else.”
“I never said I cared that she is,” I snapped. “I just don’t want to think about it while it’s happening.” I grabbed my glass and took a drink, finding the smoke taste tame compared to the heaviness of a cigar.
“How long do you think this is going to go on?”
I shrugged.
“You aren’t really a one-woman kind of guy, so this is interesting.”
“Who said I’m a one-woman kind of guy now?”
“So you’re sleeping with other people?” he asked incredulously.
No. “Yes.” I looked him right in the eye and lied to his face, something I’d never done before. “Her husband is only gone a couple days a week, so the rest of that time, we don’t speak.”
He gave a slight nod in understanding. “You want my advice?”
“Not even a little bit, Axel.”
He acted like I hadn’t spoken and continued. “At some point, this guy is gonna figure out who’s fucking his wife. I don’t care if he asked for an open marriage. When he realizes his woman is fucking none other than the infamous Skull King, it’s gonna dent his ego quite a bit. It’s gonna open a can of gunfire and grenades. You’ve got enough on your plate, Theo. You don’t need this added to the top. So, if this woman really means nothing to you, then ditch her before it’s too late.”
“You think I’m afraid of anyone, Axel?”
“No,” he said. “But I know you don’t like bullshit, and this sounds like it could be a lot of bullshit.”