Authors: Nikki Mathis Thompson

The Space Between (19 page)

“Oh Mads, he wanted out and she gave him the motivation. I can honestly say it was wrecked long before she came along. I just didn’t admit it to myself. That doesn’t change the fact that he should have left me before he started a relationship with someone else. But, you want to know the worst part? I thought I was happy because I was content. But was I even content? I don’t even recognize that woman anymore. Ughhhh! I sound so pathetic. How did I let that happen?”

“Trine, you just stop right there, damn it! Don’t beat yourself up about any of this! You wanted to keep your family together, that’s why you stayed. That does not make you weak! You are letting him and
her
off way too easily,” she let out a growl, “I want to punch him in the face and slash her god damn tires! Come on, let me kick her ass for you! I’ve been taking kick boxing for a whole month.” Maddie got up from the table and threw some punches into the air and added a kick for good measure. Katrine knew her sister was only partly joking, but her outburst made her laugh.

“Easy, my inept ninja, no need to get violent. Don’t worry, it’s not like I’m going to ask her to go to the spa with me or anything like that.” She tilted her head and thought for a minute and took a sip of her wine. “I will say this little sister, anger and hate will eat you up inside; hating him isn’t going to change the past. It will only keep me from getting on with my life. And that is what I want to do more than anything. I just needed some time to gain a little perspective, that’s all.”

“OH gaaauud Katrine! Do you always have to be so freaking mature about everything.”

“Believe me, I didn’t always feel like this. You heard some of the things that came spewing from my mouth over the last few months. Even the “f” word told me to watch my mouth. And hey, tomorrow I may not be feeling so mature. It comes and goes. Today, I am in a generous mood.”

Katrine smiled and leaned back in her chair, admiring her surroundings. She loved this place she now called home. Her decor was eclectically modern, yet warm. The two living areas were filled with wood furniture covered in soft white fabrics, accented with pillows in various shades of yellow and red. Her favorite art work adorned the walls. The kitchen had white granite counter tops with ash wood cabinets. Shiny copper pots hung over her island and a huge window over the sink gave her a view of her dainty patio. It was bright, airy, and it was all hers.

Katrine moved out of the big house shortly after David filed for divorce. She had to get out of there. That was the home where Teddy took his first steps, and where she and David would make love after a long day. That was the home where she felt safe. That was the home where they were a family. But that picture of domestic bliss no longer existed. It evaporated along with her marriage.

Poof....

They put the house on the market and split the profits. Her new condo and most of the furniture was purchased with her share. But David was still supporting her. She didn’t make any money of her own, and that bothered her. Katrine felt like she had been bought off in a way. Some women would be okay with that, but she was not one of those women. Right now she needed his money to survive, but she hoped to change that soon.

“Hey, I forgot to tell you, I have an interview.”

“That’s awesome Trine! Where? What kind of position?”

“Joanna’s husband set it up for me. His associate, who runs one of the biggest companies in the country, will be in the area for a business deal; he needs an executive assistant. It pays well, but it sounds pretty demanding, a beck and call type of gig. Not my cup of tea for long term, but it’s only for a few months. And David’s folks have asked Teddy to join them at the beach house for the summer. So I wouldn’t have to worry about leaving him with someone. What ten year old boy wouldn’t want to spend the summer at the beach?”

“That sounds great sis, I’m sure you’ll get the job.” But, she didn’t stop there. That would have been too easy. “You know, it’s soooo nice that you have to go back to work, while your shit head ex-husband is screwing some young slut with a big rack.” They actually didn’t know how old she was exactly or how big her boobs were. Teddy had not offered many details and Katrine didn’t want any. They were just thinking worst case scenario. It just was just one of those things women did.

“Mads, really. Let it go. I appreciate the anger though.” Katrine was grinning at her sister’s outburst and gave her a hug.

“Okay, on to bigger and better. I am so tired of talking about this crap. Blah, blah blah, wah, wah,wah. Enough is enough!”

Katrine poured them each another glass of red wine and they walked into the living room.

“So what are we watching tonight?” Katrine asked. Maddie just grinned. “Oh god, not again. Don’t you ever get tired of those stupid movies?”

“No, I don’t. I love him. Yes, he may have some pigmentation issues, but I would do him in a heartbeat, well, if he had one,” Maddie said, wiggling her eye brows.

Katrine huffed and plopped down onto the couch.

“Jeeze Maddie, aren’t we a little old for these movies? And more importantly, doesn’t it bother you that the vampire always falls for the one-dimensional virgin? I mean, what does a teenage girl have to offer someone who has been on the planet for two hundred years? Frankly, it’s a bit perverted when you think about it.” She took a sip and continued, “Why not pick a more mature woman, with life experience? That’s all I’m saying.”

“Yes, life experience, and crows feet, and baggage, and stretch marks, and a vagina that has been ravaged by childbirth,” Maddie added.

“Hey! DO NOT speak for my vagina. And you’re just a few years younger than me, so mind your own crow’s feet sister!”

Thirty-five isn’t old anyway, damn it!

Thirty-five is the new 21.

That must make 21 the new fetus...
She did have some gray hairs now, but that was between

Katrine and her hair stylist.

“You look great, Trine. You work out, eat healthy, and all of that other crap.”

“We weren’t all blessed with legs that go to our armpits, Mads. I was definitely dealt the Frodo genes. I have to work twice as hard as you tall people.”

Katrine sighed and pulled her legs onto the couch, “Okay Madeline, put one in. They
are
mildly entertaining. But for gods sake, not the first one—that one is horrible.”

“Thou doth protest too much, sis. I know you secretly love these movies and have read the books too. Not to mention your shelves are lined with an assortment of vampire porn,” Maddie joked, shaking her head then taking a large drink of her wine.

“I prefer the term undead erotica, thank you very much. Besides, I needed something to get me going. Mr. “I’ve got ten minutes before surgery” wasn’t very inspiring. But honestly, I should really stay away from those types of books now that my bedroom sees less action than a Tibetan monastery.”

“That, my dear sister... is why God invented the vibrator,” Maddie said with a straight face. Katrine laughed so abruptly that she almost shot wine out of her nose. She coughed and pushed Maddie in the shoulder.

“Just start the movie.”

This one was challenging to write. It was different and a bit cross genre-esque. I was afraid it wouldn’t resonate, or what have you. But here I am, releasing it anyway.

Comfort Zone—F off.

I always want to put things out there that connect with the readers. Women give so much of themselves and this was my homage to chicas everywhere. But this book isn’t just for women. I think it’s for anyone who has regrets or what ifs. Anyone searching for contentment in their own lives.

The music. It happens right along with, if not before, the writing. The score starts to form along with my plot lines and I toil and change the songs. It’s just as important to me at the story, to me it is part of it. My books always play in my head like a movie, so I guess that’s why.

And I didn’t mean to have an almost all male sound track, but those were the songs that had the theme I felt lent to the story.

Thanks to my handsome husband, who enables me to stay home with my kids and play author. It’s the thing I do just for me, with no regrets and no guilt.

Thanks to the bloggers that promote writers and help us gain an audience. Without you guys, indies couldn’t survive. MUAH!

Thank you to Natasha Brown for your cover design work. And to my editor Toni Rakestraw, you always have your work cut out for you. Thank you to Giselle with Xpresso Book tours.

Beta Beauties- Misti, Andrea, Cheryl, Beth, Shawn and Mandi. You guys had the coolest ideas and fantastic feedback. You helped make my book better and I thank you so very much. Love you!!

And as always a very special thanks to my Rebound Mafiettes, for the love and support, the pimping and the lot. You are the reason I keep writing.

And to the writing community it’s a lovely place to be…