Page 103 of Changing Lanes

“Don’t start this shit, Ava,” I demand.

“Tell me. I want to know,” she counters.

“I have, for years. You choose not to listen!” I yell.

“I’m listening now.”

“Because I love her,” I answer her the only way I can.

“Why?” she screams. For fuck’s sake.

“Why do I love Torrie? Because I can. She’s good, down to her core. Yes, she’s beautiful, but it’s more than surface. She’s kind, the type of person who would put herself out to help you. You, the person who has hurt her just as much as I have. It doesn’t matter that I don’t have money to take her to nice places, she’d prefer to stay here and play with Andi.

“She’s never been shown love, until me. You think you’re so different than her, but you’re not. Her father never showed her love or affection, yet she doesn’t let that dictate how she loves. Love follows no rules, it comes with no prejudices. Love comes how it wants to, whether it fits society’s mold or not. Love determines for itself where to settle.”

She folds her arms, looking at the dirt. “No matter what I do to change, you’ll never love me like that, will you?”

“Don’t you understand? I can’t love you.” Turning to her, she stands in front of me as her tears fall unrestrained. Her frown deepens as she releases her lip from her teeth.

“Of course, I understand. I see it every time she’s around. When you say her name. The second her words hit your ear, I see it. I see it in your eyes, when you think of her. But I can’t stop my heart from wanting what it wants. It wants you, Brannon. Always has, always will.” Her eyes plead with me. I can see the minute her heart gives way to what I’m telling her to be true. Spinning on her toes, she storms away from me.

“Ava. Stop.” She slows down, stopping by the door. “I’m sorry this hurts you so badly. I hate your heart is broken. One day, someone is going to love you the way you need to be loved. And if he doesn’t, I’ll be there to kick his ass. I need you to accept Torrie, not for me or her but for Andi. Andi loves Torrie, too. I love her, Ava. Like I’ve never loved another thing, I love her.”

Ava’s tears leave streaks down her face, but she gets it. “Her father gave me a hundred thousand dollars to break you up. Torrie doesn’t know, maybe you should tell her.”

“Come again? How’d he know we were together?” confused, I demand her to tell me.

“I called the office and left a message for him. He called a little over a month ago and asked about you both. He didn’t know about Andi, so when I told him, he sent me a check with the understanding I would separate you. I know you hate me right now, with good reason. I’m sorry.” She watches me closely.

“I’m not going to tell her,” I say, Ava’s eyes are wide with disbelief.

“Why? Her father paid me to do this to her. To you both.” She frowns.

“Would you want me to come back to you because of what someone else done or because I love you?” I answer.

She nods. “Okay. You know, she paid for me to go college, told me she believed in me because of Andi. I’ve never had anyone but you say those kinds of things to me. Be careful.”

I watch as Ava walks away, knowing this is a new beginning. Now, I need to get my girl. I don’t plan on bringing her back, I want her to come on her own. I’m going to remind her why she belongs here. And then, I going to tell her father.

It’s noon when my flight lands, I took the liberty of changing in the bathroom. I had dress clothes on at work, but I decided if I’m walking into that building, it’ll be on my own terms. Sliding into my worn-out jeans and a white t-shirt, I tie my work boots tight. My Braves cap goes on straight for now.

Lea arranged for a car to pick me up or I would’ve been lost here. I don’t know what I’d do without Lea and One, this family treats us like their own. I watch as the buildings get taller and bigger the deeper into the city we get. I’m not even sure if they’ll let me see her. But I’m gonna give it a helluva try.

The driver pulls up to a building with two intertwined ‘H’s’ on them with the words Harrington Holdings in silver underneath. I guess that’s my cue. I open the door before the driver gets around to me. He informs me he’s readily available for my return and gives me his number.

Stepping out onto the sidewalk, I lay my head back to get a good look at the structure. She’s on the twentieth floor. I wipe my hands down my jeans and walk to the door. Drawing lots of attention, I nod and smile while I look for the elevators.

Two security guards sit at a desk, checking people in; they’re not going to let me up there. Fuck. I turn around with my back to them, trying to think of something. I hear a voice I haven’t heard in a long time, “Brannon?” Greta Harrington strolls through the front door.

“Greta? It’s so good to see you.” She wraps her arms around me in a bear hug. I return it, I need it.

“Are you here for her?” She smiles.

“I’m here to see her, coming back will have to be on her terms. I love her,” I assert.

“And she, you. She’s miserable, always has been. Brannon, I’m about to cause a fight with my husband, but I’m going to do what any mother would do if she were me.” She smirks.

“Do I want to know?” Frowning, I question her with concern.