Page 98 of Changing Lanes

“Try to stay calm.” Rick gets her out, and she starts on me first thing.

“Why in the fuck am I in handcuffs? Brannon, tell them to let me go, she’s my daughter. Did that bitch put you up to this?” Ava unleashes her mouth.

“First,” I seethe, “don’t you dare blame any of this on Torrie. Do you hear me, goddamn it? Do you hear me, Ava?” Her mouth pops open, and I know she’s about to say something we’ll both regret. “Shut the fuck up, Torrie is off limits. Period. Second, Andi is off limits. Period. What you did today was not only evil but vicious. I’m done. I’ll see you in court.” I turn to walk away, knowing there is no way she’s going to let me off easy.

“So, that’s it? You’re just walking away from us?” she yells.

Glancing over my shoulder, I yell back to her. “Not us, you.”

I rush up the steps so I’m not there when they take Ava away. She needs to learn, it’s a tough lesson but it’s time. Reaching for my phone, I call Torrie.

“Brannon?” Torrie’s voice is scratchy.

“She’s home,” I announce with a sigh.

“Thank heavens. I feel so horrible, I’m sorry I messed up.” From the sound of her voice, she’s cried all evening.

“Andi is fine. You’re not responsible for any of this.” I try to calm her down. “Mom has her in the tub, Ava’s on her way to booking. I have legal custody so she was arrested for parental kidnapping.”

“You put Ava in jail?” She gasps.

“Yes. Torrie, she put all of us through this shit. Why? Because she thinks she has a right to? That’s bullshit,” I rant.

“It was needless, but putting her in jail is harsh. Andi’s her daughter, Brannon.” Is she taking up for her?

“Wait. What are you saying? She doesn’t deserve it?” It’s been a long day, and I’m getting agitated.

“I think there’s alternative ways,” she argues.

“Like what? I’ve given her plenty of chances, it’s time she’s taught a lesson,” I yell.

“And I’m telling you there are other ways to do it. Do you seriously want Andi’s mom in jail? For fuck’s sake,” she contends.

“Why are you taking up for her? You hate her?” I have word vomit, please just shut my mouth.

“I don’t hate her, I just don’t like her. She made a mistake, she loves you. I guess I’ve had time to see her differently, I’ve been where she’s at. Making poor choices for the man you love. Let’s not forget, this happened on my watch,” she counters.

“None of this was your fault. You’re only feeling guilty because you don’t like her,” I bicker back at her.

“It’s my fault, I was responsible for your daughter. And right now, I don’t like you too much.” The call ends. She fucking hung up on me. Son of a bitch. I slam my fist into the wall, fuck.