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“I’ll see you in a couple of days,” she said to me. “And a word of advice…whatever you do, don’t let Knox know anything’s wrong.”
I nodded, sneaking a glance at Smoke. He didn’t know the particulars of my dirty laundry, and I wanted to keep it that way.
Tavy waved from inside the cab before it sped off toward the airport.
“Come on,” Smoke said. “Let’s get the rest of her shit. There’s not much left.”
There were a few odds and ends she’d left in the bathroom and kitchen, and she’d set up a cleaning service to come in and tackle the deep clean after the apartment was vacant.
Her place had been vibrant, full of personal touches that made it feel like a home, but now it was empty. It reminded me that it was the people who made the place.
I shook my head at the maudlin thoughts. Chapters in life ended all the time. It was all part of the journey.
After we put the rest of Tavy’s belongings into the moving truck, Smoke hitched up her car on a car transport trailer.
“Where am I taking you to get your stuff?” Smoke asked, holding a set of truck keys.
“My fiancé’s place. Ex-fiancé.” It was strange to say. Almost like I didn’t really believe that the last three years of my life had been destroyed so completely, and so quickly.
We climbed into the truck and I took my phone out to punch my address into GPS. The phone’s voice droned directions and fifteen minutes later, we pulled up to Knox’s house. It was a two-story, gargantuan abode with a pool and extensive home gym.
I wondered what Smoke would think about it.
Knox loved to show off. Was that why he’d wanted to marry me? Because he thought he could show me off?
“Fuck him,” I growled as I looked out the window.
“Fuck who? Your ex?” Smoke asked.
Oops.
I hadn’t even been aware that I’d spoken.
“Never mind.” I reached for the door and then hopped out. I fished my keys out of my bag as I trekked up the stone walkway.
I unlocked the heavy wooden front door and turned the knob. The foyer was expansive and opulent, mimicking the outward appearance of the home. Knox had leaned into the Spanish, desert motif. Bright woven tapestries adorned the walls and clay pottery decorated the heavy wooden furniture. The couches and chairs were made of the finest leather and wood.
“Nice,” Smoke said blandly.
“Nice, yeah.” I turned to look at him. “I need to shower and pack some stuff. Kitchen is through there.” I pointed down the hallway. “Help yourself to anything. I’ll be fast.”
“You’re not expecting your ex to come home anytime soon, are you?” he asked.
“No.” I shook my head. “He’s out of town for a few days.”
I felt his eyes tracking me as I ran up the stairs.
The bedroom I shared with Knox was littered with memories and I had to force myself to enter. I walked over to my nightstand and stood in front of it for a moment before grasping the ring on my finger and pulling it off. I set it on the top of the grainy wood and before I could think too much about it, I went to the closet to grab two suitcases.
I packed quickly, taking only my favorite clothes. Jeans, comfortable sweaters and T-shirts, and my beat-up white slip-ons that Knox hated.
I showered, refusing to linger in what was soon to be my former home. I didn’t even get my hair wet, not wanting to waste time blow-drying it after the shower. I didn’t bother with makeup. I wanted to be free, unencumbered. I also didn’t have the energy for it.
I brought my suitcases downstairs. Smoke wasn’t in the sitting room.
“Smoke?”
A moment later, he popped out of the kitchen, holding a sandwich. “You ready?”
