Split: Moving On, #3

By Adan Ramie

Single-mother Rachel never thought she would find love, so when she did, she didn't stop to look that particular gift horse in the mouth. She found The One, she had her two best friends, and everyone's lives were looking up.

When life throws her a painful curve ball, she and her friends must face the fact that three isn't company – it's a crowd. And things will never be the same.

 

Moving On Trilogy:

1. Set-up

2. Sweat

3. Split

 

Contains adult content. Reader discretion advised.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adan Ramie
• Release date: Jun 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386671381

Adan Ramie

Adan Ramie lives in a small town in Texas that is not unlike Andy Griffith's Mayberry with her wife and children. You can find her work in anthologies, magazines, and online journals. For updates, free fiction, and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter at: http://www.adanramie.com/newsletter

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Copyright

Copyright 2018 Adan Ramie

All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. All the characters, organizations, places, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only, and may not be resold or lent to other people. If you would like to share this book, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite e-book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author!

If you haven't yet read Set-up, you can get a free copy of it when you join my Constant Readers. You'll also get advanced notice when I release a new book at the CR discounted price of 99c. What's to lose? Join today so I can send you another freebie!

Discount Rate

Between Sweat and Split...

As they waited in line at the little stand on the beach, Sadie slipped her hand in the back pocket of Rachel's jeans and gave her a squeeze. Rachel slapped her hand away with a hiss and Sadie's mother glanced back, sunglasses pulled down her nose, but was met with two innocent smiles. She muttered something to Sadie in a language Rachel didn't know, and moved forward with the line.

Rachel grabbed her phone, typed a message, then showed Sadie.

"Stop trying to embarrass me. They already don't like me."

Sadie took the phone and typed in her response. She kissed Rachel's forehead as she handed it back.

"Show them who you are. They will like you if you let them."

Rachel pocketed her phone again as the line moved forward and the group of them huddled together. Sadie's aunt Camilla pushed in front of the rest of the group and started haggling over the posted tour prices. Sadie rolled her eyes and started toward her, but Rachel watched in fascination.

No group discount? Camilla asked. Senior discount? I know I look good, but I'm over 60, and I served. Say, what about a military discount?

Her husband waited behind her, his face serene as he looked over the sparkling water. Sadie's mother grumbled at him, but he turned to look at Rachel instead. He leaned in close and whispered, You didn't expect so much, did you?

Pardon? Rachel asked.

All this, he said with a smile. This family.

It's been wonderful, she said, wishing for Sadie to come back and save her from a one-on-one conversation with a man she had only spoken two words to in the two hours she had known him. I don't have a big family and I'm glad to be here.

Sadie told us, he said, then patted her arm. You're a good girl. Don't worry so much.

When he turned away, Rachel deflated; she had been holding her breath. Then she looked at Sadie who walked back smirking.

Everything went well, then? Rachel asked.

All settled, Sadie said, then kissed the top of her head. We are headed out in ten minutes with the oldest tour guide here. Discount rate.

The two piled onto the pontoon with Sadie's family and waited ten minutes for the captain. When he arrived, Camilla swore. First they charge us an arm and a leg, then we get Father Time.

Everyone aboard? he growled.

They agreed and were off. Rachel relaxed in Sadie's arms as the boat slipped across the water with barely a sound and their group went quiet.

Can't say's you'll see any whales, the captain said after a minute. Dolphins a'plenty, but whales, not a one.

On a whale-watching tour? Of course, Camilla crowed, but her husband nudged her and she closed her mouth in a pucker.

They're beautiful, Rachel told Sadie as two dolphins met the slowing boat a couple of hours later. Why are we stopping? She looked up to see if there was a problem.

The captain signaled a 360-degree turn. You want to see the dolphins, eh?

Wait, Sadie's uncle said. He whispered something to the captain, shook his hand purposefully, glanced back at the rest of them, then jumped off into the water.

Jason, have you cracked your coconut? Camilla cried. Get back on this boat!

He didn't stop or respond. Instead, he swam to the nearest beach as they all looked on, then gave them a wave as he sat panting and dripping on the sand. Farewell, everyone!

Go get him, Camilla hissed at the captain. I won't have you leaving him here.

Can't, the captain said as he picked up speed. Paid me not to, and if you know what's good for you, you'll let him go. Settle in now, we have a ways to go until we're back.

Sadie rolled her eyes and gave her uncle a wave. He waved back until they were too far away to see his lanky body anymore and Camilla had calmed down enough to cry ugly but quiet tears into Sadie's mother's handkerchief.

All things considered, I think I'm going to like this family, Rachel whispered into Sadie's ear.

#

SPLIT

(Moving On #3)

Adan Ramie

For my family.

You know who you are.

CHAPTER 1

There was a time that Rachel could wake up leisurely, get ready at her own pace, and go about her day feeling refreshed and energetic. But that was over, and today, she was feeling the pinch of living in a house stuffed to the brim with people.

Sweetheart, have you had a chance to check your email? Sadie asked, the sleepy smile she sent out from behind the shower curtain almost concealing her annoyance.

I haven't, Rachel replied. She grabbed her daughter, Polly, unwound a scarf from around her neck, and pushed it into the little girl's hands. It's April, baby. It's too warm outside for your scarf.

But I love it! Polly moaned, squeezing the scarf hard between two little hands. Giada's mother lets her wear a scarf!

Giada's mother isn't here, and your mother says it's already 80 degrees outside, so you can't wear it. She trained a hard look on the girl. Your eggs are ready. Get to the table.

The girl moaned, but stomped toward the kitchen anyway. Rachel went back to trying to cover up a swelling red spot on her chin with a makeup applicator that was starting to fall apart. Sadie peeked out again. Rachel tried to ignore her, but when she didn't go back to her shower, Rachel had no other choice but to look her way.

I haven't had a chance, but as soon as things settle, I'll look.

She knew what was in that email and she didn't feel like dealing with it, but she wasn't going to tell Sadie that.

If you haven't noticed, I've been a little swamped.

Sadie's head ducked back in and Rachel listened as she opened a bottle of shampoo, squirted out what was close to the last of the product, then slapped the bottle back into the caddy.

I promise I'll look at it soon. Rachel waited, but when Sadie didn't reply, she had to move on. I'm going to go see if Peyton is up. I love you.

You, too, Sadie said from the shower.

Rachel walked out of the bathroom with her makeup half-applied down the hall and knocked on the second door to the left. No response. She knocked again and put her ear up against the door. When she didn't hear any movement, she put her hand on the doorknob.

I'm coming in, Peyton, she called out in warning. The last thing she wanted was to come upon her pubescent son doing things best left for the dark hours again. He didn't respond, so she twisted the knob and cleared her throat again. Are you getting ready?

He grumbled something from deep beneath his pillow. She walked in, crossed over a video game system left out from the day before, a board game he had begrudgingly played with his sister at the start of the weekend, and a pile of dirty laundry. She tapped him on what she assumed was his shoulder.

Time to wake up, honey.

I'm not going, he grumbled.

Rachel squatted down and pulled the covers off his pillow to leave a gap between it and the mattress for him to listen through. This is not negotiable, Peyton. Get up and get ready now.

I'm not going, he said more forcefully, then jerked the covers back up over his pillow and tucked them in tight.

She grabbed his phone from beside his bed, tucked it in her pocket, and gave him another nudge. If you want your phone back within the next month, you're going to start getting ready for school.

He launched himself out of the bed and was on his feet almost before she could move back to make room. You can't do that!

I just did. She walked back across the room and closed the door in his face. Get ready, Peyton. Now.

She ignored the sounds of him raging behind his door and walked down the hall into the kitchen. The bustle there was creeping up on house party levels, so she stuck to her mission and walked right to Polly, who picked at her eggs like they were inedible.

What's wrong with your eggs, Polly?

They're eggs, the girl said.

Rachel swallowed a sarcastic reply, then smiled at her daughter. I know, sweetie. You like eggs.

No, I don't.

She gawked. The day before, the girl had been extolling the virtues of what made eggs a perfect food.

Apparently, her best friend, Haley, said from the refrigerator where she was pouring herself an iced coffee, eggs are disgusting today.

Not just today, Polly said. All the time.

That's not what you said yesterday, Rachel said in the calmest voice she could muster.

It's how I feel. The little girl finished her toast, got up, and scraped her leftovers into a trash can under the sink. Time to brush my teeth! she sang, then bounced away, leaving her dirty plate on the counter and her mother feeling confused.

What just happened?

Haley laughed. Do you remember being that age?

Not really, Rachel sighed. She walked around the kitchen island to the coffee pot and heaved a sigh of relief that it was ready. Did you make coffee? she asked Haley.

Haley shook her head and moved out of the way. Rachel poured herself a cup and was turning around to grab a piece of toast from the stack Haley had definitely made based on their color when a linebacker bowled her over. The two spun, the coffee spilled, and the man swore loudly.

Watch where you're going! he snapped, and she stepped back out of his way with her half-empty cup.

I'm sorry. I didn't even know you were in here, she snapped back. I'm trying to get a cup of coffee between one kid on a hunger strike and the other not being able to drag himself out of bed.

Not my problem, he said, stripping off his coffee-stained dress shirt. I'm going to be late, and it will be your problem.

Are you saying that was my fault? I'm not the one running in the kitchen like a child!

He snorted and mumbled something, but Rachel ignored him. She turned on her heel and marched out of the kitchen, but before she could get back to the hallway, Haley was walking with her.

Yes? Rachel asked.

I was wondering if you had given thought to what we were having for dinner tonight.

Rachel walked back into the bathroom and walked in on Polly putting on makeup. Polly! The girl startled, dropped the powder brush into the sink on top of a pile of toothpaste spit, and screwed her face up to cry. Oh, crap. She grabbed a makeup remover cloth and started to work on the crying girl's face. In another minute, she had her clean and red-faced but not crying. Go get your backpack. We need to leave for school soon.

Can I bring Mr. Flopsy?

Why?

For my book report.

Rachel debated it, then decided it wasn't worth the grief. Sure, baby, but no playing with him in class, okay?

The girl agreed and skipped back to her bedroom. When they were alone, Haley grinned at Rachel in the mirror while she cleaned up Polly's mess and grabbed a spare powder brush from her makeup kit.

What? Rachel asked.

Nothing. Haley tucked her hands in her pockets. So, like I said, I'm hoping Nat stays for dinner again tonight, and I was wondering if you had thought about what you were cooking.

It's my night again already? Rachel asked as she dusted her face and watched the makeup make her look even more overworked and under-slept than she started out. Didn't I just cook?

Three days ago. It's your turn again.

Rachel put down her makeup brush and picked up a tube of lipstick. What does she want?

Oh, she's not asking. I am.

Rachel smeared on the lipstick, put it back into the makeup bag, and zipped the bag up. She hooked on the little lock, closed it with the key she rarely used, and tucked the key into her pocket to put into her bedroom again now that her daughter had shown an interest in the contents.

"What do