So Wrong It's Good

by Jenika Snow

  And then he turned from her and headed to the front door. Brittany stared at his back, glared at him, and, surprising Lake even more, turned and headed to the car. Brittany got in and a second later drove off. Lake leaned over the sink even more, saw Reese standing at the front door, his head hanging low, his eyes closed, and his jaw clenched. She swallowed, feeling empathy for the man instantly.

  Leaning back and blinking, she tried to process what she’d just seen. The doorbell rang, breaking her thoughts, and she left the kitchen and headed for the front door. The glass covering the front panel of the door showed her the outline of Reese, but the flows, stained coloring, and blurriness of the decorative glass made it impossible to make out his actual appearance.

  Opening the door she stared at him, saw the way he smiled, but how it was tight, forced.

  “Hey, Lake,” he said. She stepped to the side, allowing him in, and smiled herself.

  “Brittany had something come up and won’t make it today,” he said, but she didn’t mention how she’d heard them fighting, or knew the real reason Brittany had left.

  “Everyone’s out back,” she said deciding that it wasn’t her place to say anything.

  “Here, let me help you,” Reese said, grabbed the bottles of water, and gave her one more smile. He walked away, and she stood there, conflicted over what had just happened, and the fact he was trying so hard to pretend things were okay. But Lake knew this wasn’t her concern or business, and she also knew she’d keep her mouth shut.

  She contemplated going back outside, but when she made her way toward the back door, saw Reese standing by the pool, his shirt already off, and his head lowered as he spoke to Ginny, this wave of emotion filled her. She knew him of course, and got more acquainted with him as the months passed, but she felt bad for the man that had just gotten married less than six months before and already had to deal with a wife like that. A part of her had wanted to go out there and tell Brittany that respect worked both ways, but again, it wasn’t her place, wasn’t her business, and she’d mind her own, especially concerning something like this.

  ****

  One and a half years later

  “She’s a bitch, that’s what she is.”

  Lake threw her bag on the couch, heard Ginny speaking with someone in the kitchen, and she walked in and ignored her stepmother and grabbed a bottle of water.

  “Well, they’re coming over for dinner, so I’ll let you know how that goes.”

  Lake minded her own business as she got in the fridge, grabbed a yogurt, and went over to the kitchen table. She had a lot of homework to get started on, as well as an exam to study for. Over the last couple of years she’d been attending the local college in her city, working toward her business degree so she could someday soon help her father in his office. Although he’d said he’d like her to practice law, follow in his footsteps and all of that, the truth was legal stuff didn’t interest her in that way. Helping him manage his paperwork, his employees, and set up other things that would help his office run smoothly was far more interesting to her. But she had another two years to go before she was finished with her bachelor’s degree and could even think about working at his office.

  Ginny got off the phone and sat down on the seat across from her. “I swear…” she said almost to herself.

  Lake looked up from her yogurt. Ginny and she had become closer, but to Lake Ginny was more of an older sister than a role model. Ginny was interested in shopping, tanning by the pool, and having friends over on the weekends for partying. But despite the fact Lake kind of thought Ginny was a little too outgoing and sometimes immature for her age, she was nice and thoughtful of others, and made her father happy.

  “Everything okay?” Lake asked more out of courtesy than actual interest. Knowing Ginny and her friends it was probably something that was superficial and had nothing to do with a real issue.

  “Reese and Brittany,” Ginny said.

  The sound of Ginny’s older brother’s name had Lake sitting up straighter. Over the last two years since Reese and his wife had moved to the same city as them she’d learned more about the man who now only lived twenty minutes from them. He often came over and helped her with studying because Ginny got too confused on the coursework and her father had been working. But even during those rare occurrences where Reese had come over strictly to help Lake, all she could sense was this deep unhappiness with him.

  Since that first time she’d seen him and Brittany arguing, and then Brittany storming off, leaving him alone, Lake had hoped he’d be able to find happiness in some way. He was intelligent, had a military background, but had since gotten an honorable discharge, and he was insanely attractive. Of course she thought he was gorgeous, because anyone who could see would have noticed that, but it wasn’t that she was after a married man. God, that’s the furthest from my mind. It was just that he was a genuinely nice man and deserved a good life.

  Brittany had rarely come over after that time they’d fought and Lake had seen, but Lake had never uttered a word about what she’d witnessed, or asked Reese about it. Of course she’d been curious and had wanted to ask him about how things were, but she smiled, never brought it up, and focused on her studies.

  Ginny breathed out, leaned back in her seat, and stared at Lake. Ginny wore this obscenely low tank, her cleavage massive, thanks to the breast implants she’d gotten last year. “I swear, I don’t know why she even married my brother.”

  Lake didn’t comment and just ate her yogurt, although she’d wondered the same thing.

  “She doesn’t treat him right. He’s a good guy, treats her like a princess, but all she thinks about is herself.” Ginny tossed her hair over her shoulder. “She doesn’t even want to see us.”

  “You asked him about that?” Lake asked, and then cursed internally for even bringing that up.

  “Of course I did, although I knew she wasn’t good for him when I first met her before they got married. She’s way too conceited, and because he has a large bank account thanks to the trust from our parents, she got her claws right into him. Thank God I know he got a pre-nup.”

  “I’m sure she loves him.”

  Ginny snorted and shook her head. She stared at Lake for a moment. “Let me ask you if, when you first met me, you thought I wanted your dad partly because he had money.”

  Lake swallowed the yogurt in her mouth. “Honestly?”

  “Of course.”

  “Sure, but it was a small part.” Ginny had always acted younger than she actually was, and that had been an annoying trait that Lake noticed right away. But then she’d realized Ginny had her own money from the trust fund her parents left her, and that her father and Ginny really did love each other. “But then I understood that you were a good person, and would treat my dad the way he deserved to be treated.”

  Ginny smiled softly, reached out and patted Lake on the hand. “And I do love your dad, so much, Lake.”

  Oh man, this was getting into a conversation that was too heavy with emotions. Lake didn’t want to go down this road. She didn’t want to have to get all sentimental. That always led to her thinking about her mom and sadness engulfing her, even all these years later.

  “Well, now I have to go to a dinner for Reese and Brittany, because apparently they have some news to share.” Ginny stood. “I just hope she isn’t pregnant, because I don’t think she deserves to have Reese’s baby.”

  Lake didn’t know what to say, even if she would have said anything.

  “So, how about you help me make dinner for your uncle,” Ginny said and grinned, a teasing note in her voice.

  Lake groaned. “Please don’t call him that.” Lake stood up and walked toward the trash to toss her yogurt cup away.

  “I’m only teasing, but it’s true, you know,” Ginny said and started grabbing a few packs of meat out of the freezer. “I mean technically Reese is your uncle.”

  “Step-uncle, and I emphasize the step part,” Lake said, but she smiled. She was glad s
he was at a good place in her life with Ginny. She wasn’t her mother, and didn’t act like it, but having her around did make Lake feel better.

  Chapter Four

  “I don’t think me going will help anything, Reese,” Brittany said as she packed the last of her bag. She was going to stay with her sister in San Antonio for the week. Things with them had been rocky since they said their vows, and how shitty was that?

  Reese sat on the edge of their bed, his forearms on his thighs, and the need to just give up on all of this, to just forget about Brittany and this marriage, was strong inside of him. He was tired of trying, tired of this marriage. He’d been trying for the last two years to make this work, to make Brittany happy, and nothing he did seemed to please her. Aside from her spending his money she was content living her own life. She didn’t even want to discuss children.

  “Brittany, I just think it is the respectful thing to do to tell everyone we’re getting a divorce together.”

  She didn’t even look at him as she held a dress to her body and stared at her reflection in the mirror hanging on the back of the door. “I don’t think telling your family that we are splitting up will be beneficial.” She turned around and faced him. “This has been a fighting battle¸ Reese.”

  “It’s been a fighting battle because you’ve made it that way. Ever since the honeymoon you’ve kept your distance, that is, until you needed money from me.”

  She tossed her dress on the chair beside the mirror and glared at him. As she crossed her arms over her chest they stared at each other, neither speaking for several seconds. “That’s a shitty thing to say, Reese.”

  But it’s the truth.

  He didn’t say that out loud, though, didn’t bother even trying to tell her the interest she had for him had been about his money and sex, but he’d been too fucking stupid and thought he was in love to see through the bullshit. “Listen,” he said and scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’d like for you to come, but it’s clear you’re too interested in packing. I guess I’ve just been too optimistic this whole time, Brittany.”

  She sighed, dropped her hands to her sides, and walked over to him. She sat on the edge of the bed, and for the next several seconds they just sat there. “I really am sorry it didn’t work out, but this has just been too hard to work out, Reese.”

  “That’s because you didn’t try, Brittany.”

  “Reese, you want things I don’t. And let’s be honest, we got married far too quickly.”

  He’d thought he’d loved her, even after six months of dating. And when she’d said “yes”, he thought his life would finally be good, normal even. But this shit was too stressful, too consuming. She didn’t want him anymore, and if he was being honest he was just too tired of this situation to want her anymore either.

  He didn’t deserve to be alone, and at thirty-five he wasn’t getting any younger. He wanted this life to be memorable. He wanted a family, and he knew that trying to work this out was a lost cause. They didn’t love each other, and staying together, or trying to stay together, was only for convenience.

  “I think it’s safe to say that we’re done here,” she said, and he only nodded.

  Yeah, he’d known that for a while, but like a fucking chump he’d tried to go longer.

  She stood, walked over to her suitcase, and finished packing. He didn’t stay to watch, knew that the week she was spending at her sister’s in Texas would probably be permanent, but he was okay with that.

  “Oh, and Reese?” she called out.

  He braced his hand on the door, and turned and looked at her over his shoulder. He felt his annoyance with her indifferent attitude, with her uncaring demeanor.

  “I’ve already spoken to my lawyer, so you’ll be getting the papers in the mail about the divorce.”

  He clenched his jaw. “Saves me time and hassle.”

  She flared her nostrils and widened her eyes after he spoke. Of course she’d have all this planned out, probably even had something in the divorce paperwork about alimony. But fuck that, because if she was smart she’d remember they’d signed that pre-nup. At least he’d been smart about that. But knowing her she’d try to get money from him regardless. That she’d look for a loophole pissed him off, even if right now it was just a hypothetical situation.

  No, not hypothetical. She’s a bitch when it comes to money, and you know she thinks your money is hers as well.

  She didn’t want to make this work, never had if he was being honest. He’d be dammed if he gave her anything of his. She didn’t want him, and that included his money.

  ****

  Reese sat on the back porch, the pool lit up, and the night already fallen. He’d just finished dinner with Ginny and her family, and although telling them that things were over with Brittany hadn’t really been such a hardship, seeing the look of sympathy on his sister’s face made this all the worse. Of course she’d never told him she didn’t like Brittany, or that he shouldn’t have married her, but he knew his sister well enough to know from her body language that she’d felt that way.

  “You okay?” Ginny said through the open patio doors. He turned in his seat and stared at her. She brought out two more beers, gave them both to him, and sat on the seat next to him, staring at the water.

  “Surprisingly I feel good, better than I have in far too long.” And that was the truth. He had been fighting so long to keep Brittany, to try to make it better, that finally just giving up and accepting that they were going nowhere made him feel free, unchained even.

  “I’m really sorry about things going down with Brittany,” she said.

  He nodded, looked down at the bottle he held, and knew that things happened for a reason. “Thank you, but I know it’s for the best. Being with her wouldn’t have gone anywhere.” He tipped his beer back and drank a long pull from the bottle.

  She didn’t respond, but he welcomed the silence. He didn’t want to talk about Brittany. He’d spent too much time worrying about her, trying to make things work, that talking about it now, when things were over, seemed redundant.

  “I’m here for you, Reese, you know that.”

  He looked at his younger sister. She’d always been more on the self-absorbed side, more conceited when they were growing up. Of course she hadn’t drastically changed, but deep down she was a good person, and right now proved that. He could see the sincerity in her expression, and knew she was genuine at heart.

  “I know,” he said and smiled. She reached out and wrapped her arm around his neck, pulled him in for a hug, and he just absorbed her compassion. They’d never been extremely close, but right now it felt like nothing separated their sibling bond. She pulled away and smiled, and he saw the pain in her face.

  “I’ll be inside if you need anything.” She stood, and he turned to watch her leave, wondering what he’d be feeling right now if he didn’t have support on his side. Yeah, he didn’t care much on the love and emotion end if Brittany wanted to say forget about the marriage, but that didn’t mean the two years he’d spent with her had meant nothing to him.

  He saw Lake standing by the door, and when she moved back to let Ginny in, he saw for the first time, or maybe just now noticed, that Lake wasn’t a little girl anymore. Although when he’d first met her, when she a teenager, she had been old enough to know how the world could screw over a person. She might even know that more than the average person because of the loss she’d experienced. But she was twenty now, looked older now, more mature.

  She moved away from the door, shut it behind her, and walked toward him.

  “Can I take a seat?” she asked and pointed to the seat Ginny had been sitting in.

  “Sure.” He leaned back on the patio chair and propped his legs up, and stared at the sky. The pools lights didn’t dim the stars, but he wasn’t nearly drunk enough to give a shit about anything at the moment. He wanted to be numb, because this certainly wasn’t how he’d seen his life going after he’d gotten married. Hell, he hadn’t really ever seen h
imself getting married when he was younger. But then when he’d proposed he told himself it would be this one and only time. Nice fucking situation that had turned out.

  “I’m really sorry about Brittany and the marriage.”

  He didn’t look at her when she spoke, because he honestly didn’t want her to see him in this weak state, and to him that’s what this felt like. He felt like a fucking failure as a man and a husband, but there wasn’t anything to be done about it now.

  “Thanks, I do appreciate that, but I guess this just goes to prove some shit just isn’t meant to be, and that life isn’t always what it seems.”

  “I don’t know if that’s true,” she said softly, and he did look at her then.

  “No?”

  She shook her head. “Well, not all of what you said at least.”

  “And why do you say that?”

  She shrugged, stared at the water for a moment, and then looked at him again. “Because I think sometimes the truth is right in front of us, but we either can’t see it just yet, or we don’t want to.” She shrugged again. “Life gives us things that seem totally fucked.” She blushed after she cursed, and he couldn’t help but smile at that. “I guess I’m just saying sometimes life gives us situations that seem great, seem like they’ll make us happy, but in the end they weren’t right for us after all.” She stared at him. “I think that happens to make us stronger.”

  It was strange hearing someone so young speak so genuinely about life and how she felt about it all, as if she’d thought hard on everything.

  She probably has, ever since losing her mom.

  “You make the situation seem a lot better.” He smiled, actually feeling a little less pissed about the whole situation after speaking to her.

  “Well, I learned a while ago that sometimes you just have to look on the bright side.” She looked flustered after she said that. “I didn’t mean your situation should be taken lightly—”