Page 97 of Changing Lanes

“Not yet, but I bet money they’ll turn up now. Let’s go home?” I plead.

“Brannon, I think it’s best you sort this out with Ava and Andi first.” She takes a deep breath. “Please, Brannon, please know I want to be there with you.”

“But…” I wait. She says nothing. “Torrie, don’t. Please, this wasn’t your fault.”

“It was. She was in my care.” She sighs. “Listen, it’s late. Find Andi, I’ll be a phone call away.”

“Don’t blame yourself, please.” I shake my head because I know she won’t believe it. I pray she knows this isn’t changing a thing. “I love you.”

She gasps, and I hear her whimper. “I love you. I love Andi and Joyce. I love you.”

Torrie hails a cab, and I kiss her before she jumps in and drives away from me. I’m exhausted, emotionally and physically. I may choke the shit outta Ava when I get my hands on her. One drives us to the farm to wait on Ava. I ask him to go on home when he drops me off. He’s not hearing it.

“No. We’re okay for a little longer,” he says as he helps Lea to a chair by Thayer. One is an amazing friend.

“Thank you.” Leaving my head against the back of the seat, I sit there thinking. Torrie’s blaming herself, I hope she has the good sense to hold on to us. She’s right about one thing, I need to get Ava figured out. Ava’s gone too far this time, only to hurt Torrie. She doesn’t care she’s hurt me and Andi also.

The farm is lit up like a city still, Ava needs to show her ass up. One and Lea follow me into the house, Hardy and Thayer are still here also. “Hey, Mom. Ava has Andi.” The cloud still hangs over the room but at least it’s stopped raining. A picture on the fireplace mantel draws my attention. I walk over to look closer like I have blinders on. The day at the aquarium. Torrie, Andi and I took it with her phone. Torrie surprised me with it, such a good day.

All this time, she’s always taken the backseat willingly. Even now, when her heart is ripped out at the hands of my daughter’s mother, she thinks of my family first. A girl who, up until recently, never really had one of her own. She’s been beaten up, walked on, and pushed to the side, but still, she stands beside me.

It’s time for Ava to get the point, Torrie’s here to stay. Ava can longer do these types of things or she’ll never get to see Andi. I have to think of the example she’s setting for our daughter. It stops today, I’ve had enough. A sound at the door makes me yank my head around, it’s Andi.

“Daddy!” Andi yells as she runs to me. I pick her up mid-stride, hugging her to me. My eyes well with tears, I can’t hold back. I kiss her and press her tightly to my chest again.

“Oh, thank God. I love you. Andi, Daddy loves you so much,” I keep repeating to her.

“Did you miss me?” she asks with a smile. Her face is as dirty as her clothes.

“I did. And Gamma missed you,” I tell her between kisses. Searching the room, I don’t see Ava. One jerks his thumb toward the door. “Where have you been, baby?”

I sit down with Andi in my lap. “Ava said you told her to pick me up from Momma Torrie. Why are you crying, Dad?”

“I didn’t tell Ava to take you from Torrie. We thought something bad happened to you, Ava shouldn’t have done that.” Andi hugs me again.

“I’m sorry, Dad. Am I in trouble?” She nuzzles my neck.

“No, Andi. But never go with Ava again. Not until you hear me say it’s okay. Do you understand?” I may kill Ava, damn it.

“I do, Ava’s in trouble.” She nods her head.

“She is. Now, I think Gamma’s going to help get you cleaned up and ready for bed. I’ll be up after I talk to Ava and thank the police for looking for you.” She smiles brightly.

“I want Momma Torrie to do it, okay?” She jumps from my lap.

I take her hand in mine. “Andi, Torrie was so upset over losing you, she went home for tonight.” She frowns.

“I didn’t mean to hurt her, Dad. Can I call her?” she asks.

“After your bath, I’ll let her know you’re home. Go bathe, dirty girl.” I tweak her nose, and Andi giggles and runs into my mom’s arms.

“One, Lea, Thayer, and Hardy, what did I ever do to deserve such good friends. Thank you.” I hug each one, especially Lea. “And you, I’ll never be able to repay you.” I kiss her cheek.

“What good is having money if you don’t help people with it? It was the right thing to do.” Lea pats my chest then takes One’s hand.

“If there were more good people like y’all in this world, it would be a great world.” I follow them out the door. Ava sits in the back of a cop car. One helps Lea into their car, as Hardy shuts Thayer’s door. I know they’re waiting to see if I choke her. Good, I may need to be pulled off.

Rick stands by the door, opening it when I approach the car. “I want to talk to her.”