Page 85 of Changing Lanes

“I’m okay, well, I will be.” I give him a smile.

“Brannon’s here. It’s not my business, but I think you should talk.” He gives me the saddest look.

“I don’t know.” Dropping my head, I shake it.

“Torrie, ten years are gone. The things you both have lost are too great a number, do you still want to add to the count?” One is blunt but tells me what I need to hear.

“Tell him to come in, just wait a minute before you leave. Please.” I frown when I ask.

“No problem.” He gives me a reassuring smile before texting Brannon to come.

Brannon steps up on the porch, he looks as bad as I do. “Come on in, I guess we have some unfinished business.” I swing the door wide.

“Thank you, I won’t stay long if you don’t want me to,” Brannon offers.

“Since when does halfway ever work with us?” I chuckle.

“Alright, y’all. I need to get my sister home and my wife to our kids. Be good to each other.” One hugs me again and pats Brannon on the back.

Closing the door, I turn to Brannon. “Would you like a drink?” I ask as I walk over and pour myself some orange juice.

“No, thank you. I’m good.” He frowns as he shakes his head.

I motion to the couch. “Want to sit? Or just do it here?”

“Yes, we can sit, please.” He allows me to walk before him, but he doesn’t sit down. Why is he acting so awkward?

“I’m okay, Brannon. Stop with the weird shit,” huffing, I sit down.

His eyes bug out. “You’re okay? Excuse me, but how in the hell are you okay? I’m fucking dying over here.”

Shit, of course he is. “I’m sorry. I know you’ve had a lot to process.”

“How are you really?” he asks sincerely.

Folding my legs under me, I take a minute to gather myself. Still, the tears come. “I’m shit. I feel like it anyway. I’m sorry, Brannon. So many times I’ve wanted to tell you, but I didn’t know how.”

Brannon kneels beside me on the floor, still not touching me. “I wished you would have. But, Torrie, I should’ve been there. I should’ve called or came back to talk to you.”

“I would’ve never told you, not if you told me she was pregnant. That’s how it would’ve gone.” I shrug.