Page 74 of Changing Lanes

“I am so telling,” Torrie teases.

“Oh, come on now, lass, we all do it,” Lachlan chides as they hug.

“Tell me about it,” Chord mumbles.

“Are the plans ready for the new shop?” Lachlan asks.

“Sure are. I planned to call this week, have y’all go over them,” I explain.

“Good. I’m going in.” Lachlan says as he walks toward the crowd of children.

I think everyone in town is here today. The place is full, and it’s beginning to get warm. We work our way around the room, watching Andi as we make small talk with our friends and colleagues.

“You alright, babe?” I lay my hand on the small of her back.

“No, not really. Can we go get some air?” Torrie asks.

“Yeah, come one. Hold on to me, I’ll get us through the crowd.” Taking her hand, I slip it through my arm. Once outside, she starts looking better.

“I’m not sure what came over me. I just felt off. Thank you for coming with me.” She smiles at me sweetly.

“I would follow you anywhere.” I kiss her on the temple.

Returning to the party, we find a place to sit in case Torrie feels off again. Andi is having a blast, she looks adorable in her clothes Torrie helped her with; her hair is in a fishtail braid, I’m told. Not sure what it is, but it’s pretty. Andi runs up to Torrie and whispers in her ear. Torrie nods before standing. “If you’ll excuse us.” She takes Andi by the hand. “We need the restroom,” Torrie whispers to me before they leave.

“Andi likes her,” Lea says. “I know Torrie loves her.”

Watching for their return, I answer Lea, “They get along great. Torrie’s so worried about Andi. If she’s okay with us and if she’s going to be a good mom.”

“Yeah, she’s mentioned it to Lea. She’s worried she’ll be like her parents’; it’s obvious to us she’s not,” One tells us.

“I couldn’t agree more, she’s a natural.” Torrie kneels in front of Andi, tying her shoe. She looks up at Andi, kissing her before sending her off. “It’s amazing how your heart can love as much as it does.”

“Its capacity is great; although it may have cracks, it still holds love in abundance,” Lea adds. I look over at her, she’s leaned into One, his hand on her stomach, kissing.

“They’re perfect,” Torrie whispers in my ear.

Turning to meet her gaze, I reply, “I just said the same thing about you.” She kisses me.

We stay after to help with the clean-up. The men carry out the gifts as the ladies make sure everything is ready to go. Several of us are standing outside talking as kids are loaded and goodbyes are shared. I hear the car before I see it; closing my eyes slowly, I know it’s Ava.

“What in the hell is she doing here? Why in the fuck is she with my daughter?” She points at Torrie as Torrie helps Andi in the truck.

“Ava, have you been drinking?” Asking her calmly, I step in Andi’s line of sight.

“What the fuck is it to you? She needs to get away from my daughter.” Torrie steps to my side. One closes the door on the twins and Lea steps around him.

“I think you need to go home, I’ll call her a cab,” Torrie says.

“Don’t you fucking dare speak to me. That is my daughter, and you will not be around her,” Ava screams at Torrie.

“That’s enough. There are children here that do not belong to you and will not be subject to your mouth. You need to leave,” I demand.

“Not fucking happening until this rich bitch gets her ass away from my daughter. She’s just like her dad! She’ll treat Andi the same way, and you know it.” Ava steps closer to us. Before I can say a word, Torrie steps forward.

“Don’t. You. Fucking. Dare. You don’t know me, and if you don’t want me around your daughter then you need to become a mom. Until then, shut the fuck up and let someone love her.” Torrie stands nose to nose with Ava. “Now, take her the fuck home, Brannon. I’ll drop Andi off.” Torrie stares Ava down, not even blinking.

Malone walks over, escorting Ava to her car. Lea stands beside Torrie. I turn to her, but she won’t look at me. This is bad. I don’t want to take Ava home, but she’s drunk. No matter what life hands us, she’s still Andi’s mom. Damn it.