Page 100 of Changing Lanes

“What’s going on, Torrie?” One picks the card up, shoving it in his shirt pocket.

Dropping my head, I do my best not to cry. Damn it. “I’m going home. Please tell Lea and Thayer I’ll be calling to check on them. I appreciate all you have done for me while I’ve been a guest here, but it’s time to go.”

“You’ll have to excuse me, but that’s bullshit. What in the hell is going on?” He stands, crossing the room.

Running my hand over the tears falling down my face, I look away from him. “I can’t. I love Brannon, Andi means the world to me, but yesterday proved we’re ill-fated. I need to leave before we get any deeper or someone gets hurt.”

“Ava created the havoc yesterday, not you,” he counters.

“The tip of the iceberg.” He shakes his head. “One, what if Lea’s children were nine when you met her and you lost one, how would you feel?”

He shoves his hands in his pockets, nodding. “I see. Brannon is gonna be crushed.”

“He’s not the only one,” I huff. “Thank you.” I offer my hand to him, he looks at it, dragging his hands from his pockets.

“Naw, girl. You’re family now. We love you, Torrie.” He pulls me into a hug, helping to unleash my tears. He holds me while I cry, just like a brother I never had.

Pulling myself together, I step away. “Another thing, will you make sure he gives this to Andi?” Handing him the small box, he takes it. “Okay, thank you. Goodbye, One.”

My feet feel heavy as I walk out the building, memories of the last few months flood my mind. I rush to my SUV, knowing I need to get out of here before Brannon shows up. My phone hasn’t stopped, he’ll come looking for me. I drive toward the airport with Snow Patrol blasting my anthem. Poetic justice, I suppose.

My feet hit the tarmac as I trod to the plane, my family name on the side. Tightening the belt down, I look out the window one last time at the home I’m leaving. Brannon is going to hate me, but this for the best. If it hurts this bad, it must be the right thing to do.

Landing in New York by one in the afternoon, I decide to go home instead of going to my office. Walking through the front door, I drop my bags, the rest will be here tomorrow. I look around, the space I once loved feels empty now. Lonely even.

Kicking my heels off, I grab a glass of wine and change my clothes. Crashing onto my bed, I wrap myself in the comforter. From under the covers, I press play on my phone messages. Brannon’s voice ranges from raspy with morning sleep to concerned to frightened and finally, anger and hurt.

Mornin’ baby. Call me when you wake up.

Babe, let’s have breakfast.

Torrie, call me.

Hey, I’m worried.

I’m at the gate, let me in.

Are you fucking kidding me? You fucking left? No, let’s talk. I love you. Nothing. What the fuck, goddamn it?

Torrie, baby. Please. This was nothing. Call me.

Answer your fucking phone. You bailed Ava out? You had no right. Pick your fucking phone up.

Torrie, please. I can’t lose you again.

I love you.

Ten years. It still proves to be impossible. My father was right, Brannon and I were never meant to be. I know more than ever now I wasn’t meant to be in this world. My father said he couldn’t be in ours. Goddamn it, someone should’ve told my fucking heart. He has a child, and she will always come first. I don’t begrudge it, Andi should come first. I wish my parents’ would have put me first just once. Brannon’s hurt now, but he’ll eventually understand. If Ava works hard, maybe she’ll get everything she’s ever wanted— love.

My phone vibrates, and I can see it’s Brannon. I bite the bullet. “Hey.”

“Where are you?” Brannon demands, getting straight to the point.

“I’m home in New York. Brannon, don’t hate me. I just can’t. I’m not a mother, I proved that nine years ago.” I sob into the phone.

“Listen at you, do you really think this is for the best? You're breaking my fucking heart, Torrie,” he beseeches me.

“I do think it’s for the best. What if the next time it’s her life? What then?” I argue.