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“That’s his ex-wife. Sharon still loves him. She made a mistake that cost her, but she’s been trying to rebuild a relationship with him ever since. They go out sometimes, but the one thing Tripp has been constant about is that he never gets serious with anyone else. He might not be ready to let Sharon back into his heart, but don’t you think the two of them deserve a chance?”
Toya didn’t answer. She couldn’t formulate words. When John realized she wouldn’t respond, he eased the picture from her numb fingers and stuffed it back into his wallet. He turned and walked away. She heard a vehicle start up nearby and drive off. This must be the reason he’d come, knowing Tripp had taken off work and would sleep in. He could catch her on the way out.
Deep in thought, she drove the ten miles to get coffee and came back. As she climbed out of the car, Tripp was just stepping from the house in full uniform. A neighbor stood outside watering her lawn. She waved. “Hey, Tripp. Hey, Toya.”
Toya nodded, pressing her lips together and forcing a smile. Tripp tugged her into his arms, but she turned her head so he couldn’t kiss her. “Baby, what’s wrong?”
“Not in front of your neighbor,” she muttered.
He gave her a squeeze around the waist and took the coffee she offered him. “Mm, that’s good. I’m so sorry I have to go in. One of the guys called in sick. I promise I’ll be back soon. Nothing much ever happens out here.”
Nothing except you lying about having a child and getting back with your ex. Her heart ached. She thought about telling him she wouldn’t be here when he got back.
“I have something to talk to you about. Promise you’ll wait for me.” He drew her closer despite her protests. Toya tried to wiggle out of his hold, but he tightened his grip and forced her chin up. She melted under his kiss, hating how weak she was to his touch. “Promise,” he insisted.
“Okay, okay,” she grumbled. “I guess it is time we talked. “I can do some sketching while you’re gone. What time are we talking?”
“Four.” He smacked her on the ass and climbed into his patrol car, which he’d driven home. Toya turned to go move her car, but he whipped his around hers driving on the lawn and was off down the street before she could blink.
Toya spent the rest of the morning telling herself to pack up and leave. She didn’t owe Tripp a thing except to get the heck out of there and never answer his calls again. She drove instead to the town’s center where there were a few shopping stores, and left her belongings at Tripp’s house. He’d given her his key in case she needed to go to the store. The feeling of the cold steel in her palm was weighty and so not the time to have it.
The first store she checked out sold dresses but none she would wear. A small section toward the back held two racks of T-shirts. She liked to wear big ones around the apartment. A couple would do.
“Hey, Mildred,” a woman called as she entered the store.
“Good morning, sweetie, and how’s my little man doing?” the store owner responded.
Toya whirled around, but the woman was blond and plain, not at all like Tripp’s ex. That would be too coincidental. They were the last two people she wanted to lay eyes on. But her nervousness and unsettled stomach made the decision for her. She’d never allowed herself to be used by a man, and she wasn’t starting today.
Her purchases in a bag, she strolled down the street while speed-dialing Tripp. He answered on the second ring. “Hi, baby, you’re missing me already?”
“I called to tell you I’m leaving.”
The line went silent.
“Tripp?”
“I thought we said we’d talk later. Why the sudden change?”
She couldn’t tell if he was angry, sad, or glad. He spoke in a monotone, which served to agitate her more. “I’m going to be honest. I think I want to end things now before it gets too serious.”
“Toya, where are you?”
“It doesn’t matter. I—”
“Where. Are. You?”
She frowned and looked around. “In the town square or whatever. You have to work, and I understand that. I should go now since I have a long drive.”
“About five miles down Main Street, you’ll come across an old barn on the right side. Meet me there now.”
“Tripp…”
“Meet me!” He broke the connection.
“Damn stubborn man,” she grumbled. “Who does he think he is, and why can’t he let this all be simple? We could have ended it without any drama.” She did as he asked and drove down to the place he mentioned, but it would make no difference. She’d tell hi
m to his face that they were done, and he could be as pigheaded as he wanted to.
