Page 28 of Changing Lanes

A few hours later, the motor is fixed, but Torrie is still at the forefront of my thoughts. One thing I’m sure of, I have to talk to her. Should I message her? Call? What if she’s still there? What if she hates me? Damn it, there are so many things I need to work on, especially in myself.

I have spent the last four years trying to make my dad proud, to honor his memory. The mistakes I made around the time of his death, he was trying to teach me these things through them. If I know anything, he would tell me to do whatever I could to make this right. I pick up my phone.

Torrie— My single text. Anxious, I release the breath I was holding when my phone vibrates with an incoming text.

Yes— Her only word.

I’m sorry—

Fucked up— I type and push send.

Me too— Flashes across my phone. What the hell? I’m confused.

How’s that?— I reply, hitting send.

I came home, not to Carolina— Her words pop up, and I can’t breathe. I immediatelydial her number.

“Hey.” Her voice is soft, sleepy.

“Hey, baby. Did I wake you?” I didn’t even check the time, I chance a quick look at the phone. “Oh, shit. It’s ten in the morning, were you still asleep? I’m so sorry, baby.”

Her voice is raspy, she isn’t having it. “Shhhh, I needed to hear your voice.”

My heart beats rapidly at the need she has for me. “I needed to hear yours. I’m fucking stupid, I shouldn’t have left.”

“Yes, you should have. He’s an asshole, Brannon. I told you that from the beginning.” She’s right, she did. But it’s no excuse for the way I left, it was cowardly.

“I know you did. But I’m no better leaving the way I did. It surely doesn’t help my claim that I’m a better man.” Dropping my head in defeat, I drag my fingers through my hair and tug.

“I understand, trust me. Are you okay?” she whispers as if she’s worried for me. I cringe at the thought of her protecting me.

“I’m good. How are you? Such a dick move, I’m sorry,” I huff with irritation as she giggles.

“Yes, it was. I’m glad you admitted it so I didn’t have to call you out.” She’s playful.

“Oh, okay. Well, it was. When did you leave?” I ask as I get comfortable on some straw.

“Early this morning. I haven’t been asleep for long, I just missed you so I decided a nap was my best option,” she replies, sounding a little more awake.

“You in bed?” Man, do I wish I was there.

“Nope, the couch. But I do have your shirt on. It smells like you,” she says sweetly.

I lose track of time as we talk. I decide at some point, I’m going home tomorrow. I need to be with Torrie. I want to be with her. After ending the call, I check the hundred messages I had been getting while talking to her.

Ava hasn’t stopped calling or texting. She’s driving me insane with her constant badgering. I need to tell her about Torrie, she’s going to flip shit. I just don’t know what to do to make her understand we’re no longer together. It’s not happening.

“Brannon? Are you ready to eat?” Mom peaks into the barn.

“Oh, yeah. I’m sorry, I lost track of time.” I jump up, dusting my clothes off.

“Well, let’s get some food in you.” She turns, walking back to the house. I catch up with her, throwing my arm around her shoulder.

I hold the door open for her as the aroma of a home cooked meal, hits me in the face. “It smells so good, Mom.”

“Thank you. Let’s eat.” I close the door behind us.

The table is loaded with food. Mom asks about everything, she wants details. “So, how are your classes?”