Ch. Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 43 Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 43

Chapter 3 

I stood there watching his truck disappear down the street. 

Annie’s little body pressed warm against my legs-that’s when I finally came back to myself. 

I kissed the top of her head. Walked inside. Started packing. 

Clothes. Passports. Annie’s formula. Shot records. 

One thing at a time, clearing out every piece of me from this place. 

The second I booked those plane tickets, something heavy lifted off my chest. 

Grayson came back when the sun was coming up. 

Walked in and stopped dead when he saw the suitcase sitting open in the middle of the room. 

I didn’t look up. Just kept folding Annie’s pajamas. 

He grabbed my wrist. 

“Claire got in a wreck last night. Your fault. She’s at the hospital right now and she won’t even talk to me.” 

His voice was low. Mean. 

“She won’t look at me, Natalie. So what now? You happy?” 

I looked at him. Didn’t say a word. 

“You gonna keep pushing till I snap? Is that what you want?” He squeezed tighter. “You want me to throw away fifteen years of friendship? For you?” 

Fifteen years. 

I actually laughed. 

So that’s what I was competing with-me and our daughter versus fifteen years of whatever the hell they had. 

“Then why’d you chase me down in the first place?” 

He went still. 

Chapter 3 

“I already said I’d divorce you. I already said fine. So what else do you want?” My voice cracked. “What the hell else am I supposed to do?” 

“Divorce! That’s all you talk about! You got anything else to say?!” 

He swung his arm out. Knocked the suitcase flying. 

Everything scattered. 

Annie jolted awake. Started screaming. 

I ran for her. Tripped over a pile of clothes. Hit the floor hard. 

My lower back slammed straight into the corner of the coffee table. 

Pain ripped through me so sharp I couldn’t breathe. 

Years ago, when Claire made me fall, I went into labor early. Messed up my spine real bad. 

Even now, picking something up off the floor hurts like hell. 

“Nat-shit, you okay?” 

Grayson grabbed Annie. His voice got tight. “Did you hit your back? Come on, I’ll drive you to the ER.” 

He bent down. Started reaching for me. 

His phone went off. 

“Sir-get over here. Miss Laurent’s awake. Says she’s gonna go get trashed at some bar if you don’t show.” 

Grayson’s hand froze. 

Forgot I was on the floor. 

“Wait-she’ll see me now?” 

He jumped up. His whole voice changed. “Tell her to stay there. I’m coming.” 

Shoved Annie back in my arms. Bolted. 

SLAM. 

Door hit so hard the pictures on the wall shook. 

I called an Uber. Held Annie tight. Got myself to the hospital. 

15:54 

Mr. Chatterbox for Her, Mr. Iceberg for Me? Ice Melts, and So Did My Love! 

35.0% 

Chapter 3 

Got X-rays. Picked up meds. 

Walking past Claire’s room on my way out, I saw it-packed with people, flowers everywhere, balloons tied to the bed rail. Everyone crowding around her like she was royalty. 

And Grayson? 

On his knees. Barking like a damn dog. Making her laugh. 

I looked away. Checked my phone. 

Text from him. Sent six minutes ago. 

“Hey babe ordered u some pain cream. should get there soon” 

“got base stuff tonight. not coming home” 

I almost laughed. 

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