Read Make Me (Bully Me #2) Online
Authors: C. E. Starkweather
"Shane, stop," she said, pushing him back up. "I can’t. Not right now."
He sighed, closing his eyes. "You’re still mad at me."
"I’m not mad at you," she protested. "I’m just confused. And I don’t feel like having sex right now."
He shrugged and sat back. "Whatever."
"Don’t do that," she said quietly.
"Do what?" He asked innocently.
"Don’t do that passive aggressive guilt trip thing so that I feel bad and end up having sex with you."
He looked at her angrily. "Is that what you think of me? That I’m such an asshole that I’d try to guilt you into spreading your legs for me? Really?"
She stood up. "I’m going upstairs. I’m not feeling well."
He stood up and grabbed her hand. "Babe, wait. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m just so damn frustrated. I’m being punished for something that I didn’t do."
She closed her eyes and shook her head. "That’s exactly what’s wrong, Shane. Me not wanting to have sex isn’t punishing you. Maybe I just don’t feel like it right now."
"That’s not…" he was interrupted by the doorbell. She turned and headed to the kitchen, thankful for the distraction. She didn’t want to fight right now. She looked out the peephole and frowned. "Can I help you?" She asked the short, pretty blond girl standing at the door.
"Is Shane here?"
"Um…I’m his wife. Is there something I can help you with?"
The girl looked her up and down, smirking. "Can you just tell me when he’ll be here? I need to talk to him."
Kaine clenched her jaw. "Why don’t you just tell me who you are and why you want to talk to my husband so badly?"
The girl sighed, running her hand through her hair. "I’m so sorry to do this to you. I didn’t know he was married. Not at first, anyway."
Kaine’s heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean? Who are you?"
The girl bit her lip. "My name is Jessica. Shane and I…"
"Don’t say it," Kaine whispered, her heart hammering.
"I’m sorry. But I’m pregnant, And I think Shane’s the father."
Kaine felt the air rush out of her lungs. "I don’t believe you," Kaine gasped, trying to stay strong.
"I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I mean, I don’t have proof that it’s his yet. It could be my boyfriend’s. I hope to God it’s not Shane’s. But the timing…"
Kaine shook her head. "You’re lying. My husband doesn’t even know you. Did Camden put you up to this?"
"Who? No. Listen, I just need to talk to Shane."
"Kaine?" Shane called, walking into the kitchen. "Who was at the...Jessica? What are you doing here?"
Kaine spun around and pressed her hand to her mouth. "You know her," she said, stunned.
"Yeah, she works at my firm. Why...Oh, no. No, Kainie. This has nothing to do with..."
"Fuck you!" Kaine screamed. "You lying sack of shit!"
"Jesus, Kaine, stop. I barely know her. This is...this is insane. Jessica, tell my wife that there’s nothing going on between us."
Jessica bit her lip and looked down. "I’m pregnant."
"Ok, great," Shane snapped. "Congratulations. Now tell my wife that I never touched you."
Jessica’s eyes filled with tears. "There must have been something wrong with the condom you used."
Shane’s mouth dropped open when he realized what was happening. "That motherfucker. I’m going to kill him. And you. Get the fuck out of my house, you lying bitch," he spat at Jessica.
Jessica scoffed and shook her head. "I should have known this is how you’d react after all the disgusting things you made me do. I just came here to tell you that I don’t want anything to do with you anymore. I quit. And I don’t want your shitty child support. You’re crazy."
"GET OUT!" He yelled. Jessica quickly turned and ran out the door, slamming it shut behind her. "GOD FUCKING DAMMIT!" He yelled, picking up a plate and flinging it against the wall. Kaine flinched as it shattered. He turned to look at her. "Stay away from me," she managed.
"No. You need to listen to me."
"I don’t have to listen to shit. I want a divorce," she sobbed. This was her worst nightmare coming to life.
"Kaine, you can’t be serious," he said in a low, steady voice as he tried to control his rage. "You know Camden Lawson is behind this. How can you even believe her?"
She stormed up to him and slapped him in the face. "Stop using Camden as an excuse!" She screamed, pushing him. "You JUST TOLD ME that you didn’t even know anybody named Jessica, you liar!" She shoved him again.
He grabbed her arms to keep her from hitting him again. "Stop it," he snapped. "I don’t even really know her. She works for my firm. I didn’t even think of her when you said the name Jessica. Everyone knows someone named Jessica. That’s not what I meant."
"Let go of me!" she yelled, thrashing in his arms.
"No. Not until you calm down."
"LET GO OF ME!" She screamed as loud as she could. He clamped his hand over her mouth. "Kaine, stop screaming. Just stop for a second. Please."
She wasn’t listening. All she could feel was his hand on her face.
You’re gonna fuck me like you fucked him.
She went limp in his arms and his eyes widened. "Oh, shit. Oh my god. Kainie, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean..." He let her slide to the floor and loosened his grip on her. "I’m so sorry," he repeated softly. "Talk to me, baby. You’re ok. Look at me."
He looked into her light grey eyes and smoothed her hair. "You’re ok, baby. Nobody’s going to hurt you. You’re safe."
She blinked and her eyes focused on him slightly. "You ok?" He asked softly.
"Daddy?"
Shane looked up at a terrified Adam. "Hey, buddy. Mommy tripped and fell. She’s ok though."
"I’m scared," he whimpered. Shane flinched, feeling terrible. He never wanted his son to have to wake up to screaming in the middle of the night like he had before his father left. "It’s ok. Come here."
Adam walked tentatively over and climbed into Shane’s lap. Kaine smiled softly at him and Shane breathed a sigh of relief. "You ok, peanut?" She softly asked. He nodded sleepily. "Can you take him back to bed?" She asked Shane, not looking at him. "I’d like to lay down."
"I’m not leaving you here," he quietly said. "Not like this."
"I’m fine," she assured him. "Just go. I’ll be up in a bit."
He reluctantly picked up Adam and carried him back upstairs to his bedroom. He was in a hurry for Adam to fall asleep, but it took almost an hour. He quietly left the room and was relieved to see that Kaine was in their bedroom and not downstairs on the floor. She sat on the bed, staring straight ahead. "Kainie? You ok?" He asked, walking to her slowly. He stopped short when he saw his suitcases sitting on the other side of the bed. She looked at him tearfully. "I need you to go," she whispered.
"Can we talk about it?"
She shook her head. "There's nothing to talk about. You cheated on me."
"No I didn’t. I swear to you I didn’t. That girl was lying."
She sniffed. "I want a divorce."
He sat next to her, taking her hand. She immediately pulled it away. "Don’t."
"Kaine, I’m sorry. Please don’t kick me out."
"Is Adam ok?" She asked, ignoring him.
"He’s fine. I told him you fell and were yelling because you hurt yourself. He seemed to believe it."
She looked down at her feet.
"Kainie, look at me," he pleaded. She looked at him reluctantly. "I’m so sorry," he said, reaching to wipe away her tear. She flinched away from him.
"Please don’t be scared of me. You know I’d never hurt you. You were screaming..."
She slowly stood up, taking his bags. "You need to go."
"Babe, please. Don’t do this."
"Go."
Shane blew out a breath and took the bags. "I love you."
"I love you too. But I want a divorce. I can’t do this, Shane. I can’t trust you anymore."
"Yes you can," he insisted. "You’re only mad at me because you think I did something I didn’t do. How can I prove it to you?"
"You can leave."
"I’m not divorcing you, Kaine. No way in hell."
She thrust his bags at him. "If you’re not out of here in two minutes, I’m calling the police."
He grabbed the bags and walked to the door. "I’ll go. But we’re not getting divorced, Kaine. I’m not letting you go." He walked out the door and Kaine let go of her tears, crying herself to sleep.
One Month Later
"So Kaine, you get custody of Adam Monday through Thursday, and Shane, you get him on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Is everyone in agreement?"
Kaine nodded, glancing over at Shane. His jaw was clenched and he stared straight ahead. His bright blue eyes were glazed over.
"Shane, are you paying attention?" She asked. "This is kind of important."
He looked at her. "Can we talk?"
She sighed, running her hands through her hair. "Fine. But you are signing these papers today, Shane. No more stalling."
Shane ignored her. "Can you give us a minute?" He asked Bryce and Miles, her lawyer. They got up and left the room, leaving Kaine and Shane alone. She crossed her arms and stared at him, waiting.
"Please don't do this," he pleaded.
"Don't you dare put this on me," she snapped. "You're the one who decided that sticking your dick in some slut was more important than your family."
He shot up, knocking his chair over. "I didn't cheat on you!" He yelled. "I've told you a million times, I have no idea what that girl was talking about."
She shook her head. "I can't believe that, Shane."
He picked up a chair and threw it across the room. "Fuck!" He yelled, pounding the table. There was a time when Kaine was terrified of Shane's anger. Now it just annoyed her. "Stop acting like a caveman," she snapped. "I'm not changing my mind. I'm done."
"Well I'm not signing the papers," he said, crossing his arms.
"Well then that's fine. I'm not stupid, Shane. I know that you can't just refuse to give me a divorce. Don’t make this harder than it has to be. If you ever truly loved me, you'll sign the papers right now."
"That's not fair. You know I love you more than life itself. How can you expect me to live without you?"
Kaine opened the door, letting their lawyers back in. "You should have thought of that before you chose someone else over me."
Shane shook his head and sat down. "Give me the damn papers," he muttered. He flipped through the pages, scribbling his name. He tossed the pen on the table and stormed out of the room without another word.
Kaine blinked her tears away and gave Bryce a small smile. "Can you keep an eye on him?"
"He'll be ok," he assured her. "Just give him some time."
"I'm ready to sign," she said quietly. Miles handed her the papers and she signed her name. This was what she had been waiting for, but instead of feeling relieved, she felt alone and empty.
9
"What do you want for dinner?" Kaine asked Adam.
"Chicken nuggets!" He yelled.
Kaine laughed. "You’re gonna turn into a chicken nugget if you keep eating them all the time."
Adam giggled and wrapped his arms around her leg. "Where’s daddy?"
Kaine winced. She hated that question. "He’s at uncle Bryce's remember?"
"Why?"
"Because that’s where he lives now."
After she had kicked Shane out, her life had pretty much gone on autopilot. Shane still swore up and down that he hadn’t cheated on her, but Kaine just couldn’t believe him. She hated him for what he had done to her and Adam. He was staying with Bryce while he looked for an apartment, but Kaine felt like he was taking his time because he thought that she would let him come back home. She wouldn’t. He had ruined their family, and she couldn’t forgive him for that. It had been a week since their divorce was final, and she needed to cut him out of her life as much as possible. It still hurt too badly to see him.
"Carrots or celery?" She asked.
"Ummm....Carrots," Adam decided. Kaine turned to open the refrigerator and saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Her blood ran cold when she saw a shadow duck behind the bushes as soon as she looked up. "Stay in your chair!" She told Adam. "Don’t move unless I tell you to."
She grabbed her phone and with shaking hands called 911. "There’s a man outside watching me," she cried frantically. "I live at 27 Weston Street. Please hurry." She hung up and immediately called Shane. The phone went straight to voicemail. "Shane! I need you. Someone’s outside the house. Hurry!"
She clutched her phone and picked up Adam. "I want chicken nuggets," he protested.
"In a few minutes. We have to be really, really quiet, ok?" She slipped into the bathroom and locked the door behind her. Shane had been right about Camden all along. He was going to kidnap her and her son. Or maybe he was going to take her and leave Adam. Or maybe...
Stop it. He’s not going to hurt you. The police will get him and he won’t touch you or Adam.
A few minutes later she heard a knock on the door. She gasped and picked up Adam, hugging him to her chest as she quietly opened the door and slipped out. "Who is it?" She called in a high pitched voice that she didn’t recognize as her own.
"It’s officer Colton."
She looked through the peephole and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw an officer standing on her front step with Shane. She put Adam down and swung open the door. "Oh thank God," she gasped, wrapping her arms around Shane. "How did you get here so fast?" She asked, ushering them inside.
He grinned sheepishly at her, and she knew.
"Are you kidding me, Shane?" She snapped, backing away. "That was you?"
"Daddy!" Adam cried, running to him. Shane picked him up and hugged him.
"This is your husband?" Officer Colton asked.
Kaine glared at Shane. "Ex husband. He doesn’t live here anymore. What were you doing, spying on me?"
"I’m protecting you," he said. "If you won’t let me be here with you, I need to at least make sure you’re safe. I don’t trust Camden not to…"
"Stop," Kaine interrupted him. "Just stop. I can’t believe you’ve been hiding out in the bushes spying on us. How long have you been doing this?"