Page 89 of Line Change

“Excuse me?” She snaps, and I cringe. This is not going well.

Chapter thirty-four

Sutton

“Excuse me?” I repeat, my heart racing as I twirl my thumb ring.

“I don’t think it’s worth it to fix your car.”

He’s barely finished his sentence when I say, “Says who?”

“Sutton, love, it’s not safe to keep driving that car anyway. Even if we pay to get it fixed, I’m going to be worried about you every time you drive it.” What the hell? Why is he making the decision? “This makes way more sense.”

I wipe my sweaty palms on my skirt, my eyes flickering to my office door, grateful that I closed it earlier, because I am about ten seconds away from either crying or yelling and hanging up the phone.

“And you’re just deciding for me?”

He’s silent for a few beats before speaking again. “I’m not. I’d never try to control you, Sutton. I’m not him. If you really want to fix the car, fix it. I just don’t think it’s worth it.”

I swallow, feeling all the remaining tension leave my body as I take a few deep breaths. How did he know that’s what I needed to hear? Because he knows you. He sees you, and he loves you.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice cracking.

“I love you, and I want you to be safe. You and our daughter. I don’t think you should throw away your money fixing the car just for it to break down again in a few months.”

“I know,” I whisper, swiping the tears away. “I panicked.” I tip my head back, staring at the ceiling. “I don’t know why. I trust you. I know you aren’t trying to control me. I know you have my best interest in mind. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I probably could have approached it differently. I’m sorry too.”

“I forgive you.”

He’s silent for a few beats before he says, “Do you want to talk about this? Want me to send you the quote?”

“No.” I shake my head. “You’re right, it’s silly to spend all that money to fix it. My grandmother’s lawyer called earlier about my inheritance. I just need to sign the paperwork next week, and then it should be mine.”

“Good, that’s good. I wish I was going to be there with you. Do you want me to come home and go with you?”

“Nah, I’ll be fine. I’m just signing some paperwork at a lawyer’s office. Nothing I can’t handle.”

“Are you sure? Maybe take one of the ladies?”

“I’m sure. I’ll be fine. Once the money clears, I’ll buy a new car.” I pick up the pen on my desk and twirl it around.

“Do you want me to help you shop for one? Go with you to look?”

“I’d like that.”

We chat for a few more minutes before hanging up. I set my phone down on the desk and drop my head into my hands. Not the news I wanted to hear about my car, but then again, I’m about to have enough money to buy any car I want, so does it really matter? It was the first new car I bought after my used one died a few years after graduation. Something about being able to buy it by myself and pay it off made me feel like I was finally going to be okay on my own without my father’s money or help, and I’m a bit sad to say goodbye to it. But that’s life, and maybe it’s fitting that I buy a new one as I’m about to enter a new season of life as a mother and a wife.

I yawn again, stretching my arms over my head. Why am I still tired after taking a two-hour nap? I rub my hand on my belly. This wasn’t what I had planned to do with my Saturday afternoon, but alas, little miss had other ideas when she kept me up most of the night rolling around.

“You’re not even here yet, and you’re zapping all mommy’s energy.”

Her response is to kick, and I can’t help but laugh.

Maybe I should call Becca and tell her I’m not coming over to watch the game, but I’ve been looking forward to hanging out with everyone, and besides, it’s lonely here without Bash. I force myself to get out of bed. When I’m finished in the bathroom, I change into a Storm shirt and a pair of leggings, slide on my favorite pair of flats, grab my purse and the veggie tray I picked up at Publix, and head out the door.

“Hey,” Becca greets me twenty minutes later when I ring her doorbell, taking the veggie tray from me.