Page 54 of Changing Lanes

“Oh, it’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Joyce O’Hurley, Brannon’s mom.” She takes my hand, holding it. Her southern drawl as pleasing as his. “You’re as beautiful as I imagined.”

“Thank you. It’s good to meet you after all these years. How have you been?” Asking out of courtesy, I don’t want to talk her.

“Good, thank you. Brannon told me he’s working with you, how are you?” She’s amazing. I could kill her son.

“Good. Busy working.” I nod as I smile nervously.

“Brannon said it was for your father. That’s good.” She gives me a tight smile. “Well, we need to leave you alone. It was good seeing you.” Andi waves as they walk away.

I storm toward the dressing room. Slamming the door behind me, I try to gather myself. What did I expect? It’s his town, of course, I’m going to run into his family. She called his mom, gamma. She must be his niece, she’s the little girl I saw with him the other day.

Wait. Brannon was an only child, so she’s not his niece. It doesn’t make sense, who in the hell? Then, it hits me. Mother fucker, he has a daughter. Is he married? Surely not, I kissed him. Fuck, I kissed him. Why hasn’t anyone told me?

For the second time in years, I cry. I’m not even sure how long I sit in the changing room, but I stay because I want them long gone when I leave. I hear a knock at the door, and I pray it’s Thayer or Lea.

“Yes?” I ask.

“They’re gone, sweetie. Let’s get you home.” I crack the door to find Lea standing there with tissues. “Thayer watched them pull away. Let’s check out your things.” She takes my suits, walking toward the front. I check my face for any problems then follow her to the register.

On the ride back to my place, the car’s quiet. I think they’re waiting to see what I say or how I act. But I’m just blown away. I have a million questions, most I don’t even want the answers to. Wiping more tears, I bite the bullet. I have to know, everything.

“His daughter?” They look at each other first.

“You should ask him,” Thayer answers.

“She looks just like him.” Tears fall faster. Thayer passes me more tissues. “I thought I was pregnant after Christmas; I guess one is enough.” Lea looks at me in the mirror.

“You should talk to him,” she suggests.

“We’ve tried, it always ends badly.” Laying my head back, I shake it. “What about the farm, does he still have it?”

“I can take you or give you directions if you want to see it,” Thayer states.

“Sounds great. Would love to see what my father’s money has done.” My words are laced with venom, and I don’t like the taste. Still, there’s no way I’m going to that farm.

“You need to talk to Brannon. This is his story to tell.” Rolling my eyes, not at Thayer but at the suggestion.

“Wait. How old is she, his daughter?” They side-eye each other, no holding back ladies, I already know. “She’s nine. Right? Andi’s nine years old. Motherfucker.” I close my eyes, laying my head back. I try to count down, but when I hit nine, I start crying again.

Later that night, I toss and turn, asking every question I want the answers to from him. I play it over a hundred times, hearing different things each time. Some, I like. Most, I hate. If I ever thought, for a second, we might ever be able to salvage this, it was just decimated.

A sleepless night and a pot of coffee later, my phone rings, it’s One. “It’s Torrie.”

“Good morning, it’s One. I want to let you know we’re presenting to council today for the revised permits. I don’t foresee any issues, we’re just re-submitting plans which have already been approved.”

“Do I need to be there this morning?” Knowing I do, praying I don’t.

“Yes, please. You will need to sign a few things.” He’s such a good guy.

“Will he be there?” I think he could hear me grit my teeth.

He sighs. “Yes. Brannon will need to be there.” Fuck.

“What time?” I take out my pen to jot it down.

“Eleven,” he answers. Are you kidding me?

“I’ll be there. Thank you.” Checking the time, it’s nine thirty. Shit.