Page 64 of Changing Lanes

“Did you love Ava?” Wiping a few more tears from her face, I look her in the eyes.

“No. I didn’t, and I never will love her. Not the way I love you.”

She kisses me. “Why did you take the check?” Her eyes dart to the side. She’s afraid to hear the reason. I nudge her face around until she has to look at me.

“Do you want it?” A ‘V’ forms between her eyes as she pulls them together before she stutters her question.

“Wha-what do you mean? No, I don’t want the money back.” Shocked, she begins to move.

“Wait. We’re talking, not running.” She stops, her gaze on the floor. I reach around her, grabbing my pants. I pull my wallet out, removing the piece of paper I just placed in there earlier. “Here. I only took it with me to prove to you, he tried to buy me. There was never a thought to use it. You’re not for sale.”

She takes the paper from me, slowly opening it. Staring at it, she rubs her fingers over it. Her tears begin to make it wet. Yet, as she straddles me, she sits dumbfounded. Shocked in the fact I never took money for her. Then it hits me.

“He never told you it wasn’t cashed, did he?” She shakes her head. “So, when I left, you thought I really did take the money over you?” She nods. “Oh no, baby. Never. Torrie, I hadn’t told you yet, but I was already in love with you. There’s no amount of money that could take your place.”

Her arms wrap around me, pulling me to her. Sitting there, naked, wrapped in each other. We freeze time, hoping to regain all that was lost. Ten years of missed opportunities. Love, that would have grown and strengthened. “I’m sorry. I tried to get back to the house, I fell asleep in the pool house after he threatened us. I needed to clear my head, figure out how to tell you. I came to get you, to leave. I wanted you to know I had fallen in love with you. I should’ve followed you anyway.” She holds me tight when she begins to whisper in my ear.

We stay there, on the floor, until our legs start to go numb. Helping each other up, we start dressing. And kissing. A shirt here, a kiss there. It’s the most amazing thing ever. I want to touch her everywhere. Taste her on my lips.

After straightening the storage room, we walk toward the front of the building. I take a paperclip to try to hold my zipper together. It’s impossible and the thought of getting through my house like this is slim to none. Torrie gets on her knees in front of me to try to help fix it.

At one point, we begin full on laughing at how we look. Her on her knees in front of my opened pants. Damn. I reach for her hand, helping her to her feet. Tugging her into me, I bend her arm behind her. Lacing my fingers through her hair, I pull her lips into mine.

That’s when we hear the sound of keys clicking against the window. Scanning the glass, I spot Hardy, grinning like a fucking fool. Rolling my eyes, I loosen my hold on Torrie. Allowing her to fix herself while I open the door, pulling my shirt over my pants.

“Kids.” Hardy’s shit-eating grin makes us laugh. “What’s going on?” But it’s Thayer’s arrival which finishes us off.

“What the fuck? Hell yes, about damn time. You broke his freaking zipper? How is that even possible?” Hardy pulls her back, kissing her quiet.

“Babe. Not sure they want everyone to know their business.” Hardy laughs at Thayer as One comes through the door.

“Hey, did you find out what was going on?” He looks at Hardy, who points to us. He looks at us, back at Hardy, then to us again, smiling.

“About damn time. It was killing us watching the two of you pretending to not love each other.” Smiling as he texts. “I’m letting Hadlea know. About the lights and you.” He winks.

After everyone leaves, we stand between our cars, talking. We have so much to discuss, least of which is her father and her job. She keeps the check with my blessing. I feel damn lucky I can give it back to her. Hearing her say she loves me is beyond anything I could ask for.

“Can I follow you home?” I pick at her shirt until I fist it, yanking her into me.

“Is this your way of finding out where I live?” She giggles.

“Maybe. You have no clue how much I wished I could stay.” I kiss her nose.

“I couldn’t agree more.” She kisses my chin.

“I might be able to arrange something if you’re open to it?” I kiss her cheek.

“What? Does she stay over at Ava’s?” Her question is innocent but fully loaded. She kisses my cheek.

“No. Ava lost the right a few years ago, she only gets day visits. But I do have a sitter.” I kiss her lips.

“Well, lover, make it happen.” She kisses me back just as a car circles the lot. Fuck.

“What the fuck, Brannon? You said you aren’t with her,” Ava screams as she climbs out of her car. “Are you seeing her?”

“Every fucking day. Leave, now.” I step in front of Torrie, shielding her.

“Did you fuck her? Your jeans, you fucked her.” She’s screaming so loud, I can’t take it another minute.