“If you need me to make him back off…” Arlo said, and she shook her head.
“I can handle this. It’s about time I did.”
She opened the door.
“Finally,” Derek sighed before she’d even let go of the door handle. “Come on. I’ve given you time to talk to whoever-he-is. I’ve got things to do this evening, I can’t wait around after you forever.”
“And yet here you are. Hanging on my doorstep.” Jacqueline put her free hand on her hip. The other one was still holding Arlo’s. “Besides. There’s something I want to say to you, as well.”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This was her chance. For the first time, she felt strong enough to give Derek the tongue-lashing he deserved. To really make him feel what he’d done to her.
She tightened her grip on Arlo’s hand—and the feeling went away.
Derek was never going to change. He was never going to admit that a version of the world in which he wasn’t perfectly justified in everything he did existed. All the time and energy she spent thinking of ways to convince him otherwise were just… time and energy spent thinking about him. And he didn’t deserve that.
She wanted a fresh start. Whatever that meant.
And he was holding her back.
Jacqueline opened her eyes.
“Here we go,” Derek muttered. He glanced over his shoulder with a furtive look and Jacqueline bit back a groan. There was a car parked further down the street. She could just make out a figure in the passenger seat.
“You know what? I was wrong,” she said, and his expression brightened. “I don’t have anything to say to you. Have a good life. You and your family. Do a better job of it with them than we managed.”
And maybe don’t leave them in the car while you go to chat to your ex-wife! she added silently.
“I am,” Derek said firmly. “That’s why I want the house.”
Jacqueline froze.
God damn it.
“Really.”
Derek drove on. Jacqueline’s ears were buzzing too loudly for her to hear him.
A breath whispered in her ear. “One of those odd jobs I did was guard dog. Just say the word.”
Arlo’s voice drove away the buzzing and the hollow feeling inside her was replaced by certainty.
“You know, that’s handy,” she said, grinning. “Because I’m thinking of selling.”
“Great!” Derek’s whole posture changed as his eyes lit up. “A private sale would be best, you know. I have some options here.” He dug around in his coat pocket.
Jacqueline shook her head. “I don’t believe it.”
“What?”
“You’re trying this again? You actually—” She pinched the bridge of her nose. Being the bigger person is a lot easier when the smaller person doesn’t keep trying to kick you in the face. “Show me those.” She snatched the papers from him. “Are you kidding me? This is what the house was worth when we bought it.”
“The market—”
“Has gone up!” Jacqueline thrust the papers back at him. “Go away, Derek. If you’re that desperate for this old place, you can bid at auction like everyone else. And—no, I’m not finished. I meant what I said. I hope you have a good life. But I’m done with you. Don’t come back here again.”
“Aw, come on, Jackie—”
“Good bye, Derek.”