The Ex Files by Victoria Christopher Murray Read Free Book Online

You can come back to our youth group when you’re ready. There’s something else I want you to do for me. So, can you be here?”
    It sounded like a question, felt like a command. “I’ll be here,” she said, wondering if that was the truth.
    “Great.” Pastor Ford stood and took Vanessa’s hand. “You know, you’re going to be all right.”
    It surprised her—the way her pastor’s words were so similar to the ones she felt inside.
    The pastor said, “I have to get ready for the second service, but I’ll call you before Thursday.”
    She hugged Vanessa and Louise before the friends exited through the pastor’s private entrance. As Louise walked Vanessa to her car, she asked, “What do you think Pastor Ford has planned?”
    “I don’t know.” Vanessa shrugged.
    “I guess it doesn’t really matter.”
    Vanessa nodded. Her friend had no idea how true her words were.

Chapter Nine
    A SIA
    Asia zipped up Angel’s jacket before she lifted her from the car seat inside her BMW.
    Angel said, “Are we going to tell Auntie-Grammy our surprise?”
    “What surprise?”
    “The one you said you would tell me, but you forgot.”
    Asia sighed. It was her daughter who’d forgotten—at least until this moment.
    “There’s no surprise,” Asia said as she took Angel’s hand and they scurried across the driveway. “It’s gone.”
    “Mommy, I want the surprise,” Angel whined.
    “I’ll get a new surprise for you later.”
    Before Angel could protest further, the door swung open. “Auntie-Grammy,” she cheered, using the name she’d given her mother’s aunt.
    “Come here and give me a hug.” Pastor Ford pulled Angel into her arms before she kissed Asia’s cheek.
    “Hi, Aunt Beverly.” Asia followed her aunt and Angel across the marble entryway and into the living room. She sank onto the gold sofa, shoved off her coat, and tossed it to the side.
    “Would you mind hanging that up?” Pastor Ford said, without looking Asia’s way. “So, what have you been up to?” she asked Angel as she helped her take off her coat.
    “We’re doing math in school.”
    “Math? What do you know about math at five years old?” Pastor Ford laughed. “You’re so smart.”
    “I know.” Angel giggled.
    Pastor Ford glanced across the room at Asia. “How are you?”
    Asia shrugged. She had promised herself that she was going to wear a happy face, but the memory of Bobby’s words kept joy away. From the moment he left on Friday, through Saturday, and even this morning, all she could think about was what she was going to do. She didn’t have a plan yet, but giving up was not an option. Her daughter, her life was invested in Bobby. She’d come up with a three-point play; she was going for the win.
    But victory wasn’t going to be easy. Over the years, she and Bobby had had plenty of battles that took them to the brink of breaking up. But it was all a charade, just part of their passion. Their fiery fights led to the best making up—sex-filled nights and fabulous “I’m sorry” gifts.
    But now, there had been no fight. And never before had he spoken a good-bye that sounded as real as the one he’d given her on Friday.
    “I guess you’re not in a good mood,” Pastor Ford said, still hugging Angel on her lap.
    “Just tired.”
    Angel said, “Mommy’s sad because she had to give up the surprise.”
    “What surprise?”
    Asia rolled her eyes.
    “Mommy had a surprise, but then she said it’s gone.”
    Pastor Ford eyed Asia and said to Angel, “Sweetie, guess who wants to see you?”
    Angel clapped her hands. “Milo, Brooklyn, and Lola,” she said with glee, referring to Pastor Ford’s Shiba Inus. “Can I go and play with them?”
    “They’re in the backyard, but you can wave at them through the window until I bring them in, all right?”
    Angel dashed toward the back and Pastor Ford sauntered to the couch. “What’s up?”
    Asia shrugged, studied her fingernails.
    Pastor Ford said with a sigh,