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I swerve at the impact of her words. “Jesus, Darby. Why didn’t you tell me any of this?”
“Because I don’t get to play a victim. It’s hard to garner sympathy when it’s my decisions that led me here.”
“You’re not a victim, nor do you need sympathy. You need the fact that you’re amazing drilled into your head until you believe it.”
“What I need is the assurance you can handle this because my biggest fear is you realizing you made a mistake and can’t deal with the distance. You’ve convinced yourself that Brasher is going to automatically relocate me home, which is most likely true according to the terms of my agreement, but what about in the meantime? The six months or longer I’m out here?”
Fuck no.
I notice the exit in time to veer off, driving to the back of the first parking lot in view. She starts to protest, but I’m quicker, releasing her seatbelt, hauling her over into my lap, and trapping her to me. “There will never be a time I consider this a mistake. It was a dick move to bring it up.”
“I’m being dramatic because I’m emotional about you leaving.”
“That could be part of it, but the bigger issue here is if I’ve given you any reason to doubt where I stand when it comes to you.”
“No, but your uphill battle is only beginning.”
“I’m strong enough to handle what’s waiting for me at home. You have a job to do out here. Kick ass, stay strong, and when the time comes, get home to me. You can’t keep me away for long. I’ll be back in a few weeks. I’ll be making this commute for as long as it takes.”
She frames my face with her hands and brings her quivering lips to mine. “I love you.”
My chest constricts, and I sift my hands through her hair, twirling the smooth strands around my fingers. “If there was any way to reschedule my flight, we’d be headed back to your place.”
“I know. It gives us something to look forward to.”
•—•—•—•—•
“Is this shit ever going to stop?” Miller’s clipped question ratchets up my own frustration.
“Not soon enough.”
“I’ll have a bottle waiting at your house when you get home. Don’t worry about the kids. We’ll be fine.”
“Thanks, man. I owe you. Don’t forget to grab Maya’s phone, especially tonight. Connie’s going to be unpredictable.”
“Got it.” He disconnects as a text chimes.
Darby: Good luck. I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk.
Me: I got this. Call you tonight.
I try to keep things light because the last thing I want is Darby worried. After her revelation last weekend, it’s important for her to focus on what’s in front of her, not what’s happening here.
I spot my lawyer exiting his car and go to meet him. “Pierce.” He offers his hand.
“John, thanks for all your work on this.”
“My line of work is rarely known as a ball of fun, but I don’t envy you today.”
“Yeah, that’s why I called in the big guns. Dealing with Connie has become an issue best dealt with professionals.” He dips his chin in understanding and leads the way into the law office.
The receptionist gestures to a large conference room, where Connie is seated with her lawyer. Her eyes are trained on me, glowing with immense anger. I ignore her, taking a seat across the table.
Her lawyer begins immediately. “Mr. Kendrick, we understand you have an urgent matter involving the children that couldn’t wait.”
“It better be urgent. I had to take the afternoon off work,” Connie snips.
John opens a folder and passes around the documents I forwarded to him earlier this week. “These are copies of what Mr. Kendrick has requested this meeting for.”
“Oh, for God’s sake, can we cut to the chase so we’re not paying these lawyers for every word?” Connie rips the papers from the table. “What the hell is this?”
John motions with his fingers for me to go on. “The first is a three-thousand-dollar veterinary bill on the dog that was hit. The next invoice is for the thousand dollars it’s going to take to replace my neighbor’s mailbox. If you flip again, there is a notice from the driver of the car that had the collision. His father thinks we should pay half of the damages to his son’s car.”
“Why the hell are you bringing all this to me?”
“It was your demand and instructions that led to the accident. You are partially responsible.”
“The hell I am. This happened on your watch. It’s your responsibility.”
“I was in the shower, in my home, with the kids locked in. There was no danger. Then you called, lost your temper, and directed our daughter to do something, threatening her if she didn’t.”
“That’s such crap. I’m not stupid enough to believe you’re going to have to pay for any of this. That boy was texting and driving. He’s at fault no matter what his father wants to believe. His insurance is supposed to pay for all damages, including the mailbox. I’m not paying shit toward your girlfriend’s dog nor the accident.”
