Page 40 of Beau

As they quickly gathered their belongings and rushed out the door, she shook her head, knowing it was pointless to remind them to walk instead of run. Brenna couldn’t help but smile when she saw Annie making her way toward her.

“Is it almost summer break yet?” Annie asked jokingly with a grin.

Brenna let out a laugh as Annie playfully rolled her eyes.

“Unfortunately, not yet. And we still have to make it through the holidays,” Brenna replied with a chuckle.

“Thanks for the reminder. Let’s get out of here.”

As they both pulled on their coats, they walked toward the doors and left together, Brenna was grateful for their routine of walking out together. She hated the thought of walking across a dark parking lot alone, especially since some days they had to stay late at school, and it would be dark by the time they left.

After getting into her vehicle, she started it, pushed the button for the heated seats, and sighed as she felt her butt getting warmed. She laughed.

“Warm butt, warm body.”

She drove out of the parking lot and waved at Annie as she drove off in the opposite direction.

Brenna wondered what Beau was doing. She knew that even though the department had set hours, the agents did not. Especially when working on a case. She didn’t want to text him in case he was busy. Sighing, she decided to text him and hope she wasn’t disturbing him.

Thinking of you! Can’t wait for the weekend. She waited for his reply but didn’t hear anything from him. Had she scared him off by telling him she was thinking of him?

“Way to go,” she muttered, but as she pulled to a stop for the traffic light, her phone rang through the stereo, announcing a text. She pushed the button on the steering wheel and smiled when she read his message.

Thinking of you too. Hope the week flies by. Sorry, I have to run. I need to talk to someone. I’ll call you later, darlin’.

She smiled. He missed her as much as she missed him. She pressed the button on the steering wheel to end the text, then jumped when the car behind her blew the horn, and she looked up to see the light had changed to green. She waved and got going before she pissed someone off.

As she drove home, she wondered what she’d eat for dinner. She decided to stop at the grocery store and pick something up. Once she found a parking spot, she exited the vehicle and strode toward the doors, and they slid open as she approached.

She strolled through the brightly lit store pushing her cart. She made a beeline for the dairy section, her mind focused on getting some yogurt and milk, then she’d find something for dinner. As she reached for a container of yogurt on the shelf, she heard her name being called out. Her stomach clenched as she turned to see Liz making her way toward her.

“Oh, hell no,” Brenna muttered under her breath as she quickly placed the container in her cart and moved along to grab some milk.

“Brenna,” Liz’s voice broke the silence, slicing through the heaviness in the air. Brenna let out a heavy sigh and turned to look at her former friend, raising an eyebrow in annoyance. The tension between them was intense.

“Uh, how are you?” Liz asked with a smirk.

Brenna couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “None of your business. Go away.” She wished she could just erase Liz from her life and memories entirely.

“We used to be friends,” Liz said.

A flash of anger surged through Brenna’s body. “Yes, we were until you decided to betray me and fuck my husband. You not only ruined my marriage but yours as well. You had a good man, but clearly, I didn’t. And trust me, if Eric cheated on me with you, he’ll cheat on you too. And you’ll deserve it.” With that harsh truth thrown in Liz’s face, Brenna turned away from her former friend, but then spun back around to face her again. “I hope I’m around to see it.”

As she continued down the aisle, Brenna could hear Liz walking behind her like a shadow. It was infuriating.

“What’s going on with you and Beau?” Liz blurted out.

Brenna stopped in her tracks and narrowed her eyes at Liz, clenching her jaw tight. How dare she bring up Beau?

“Who I’m seeing is none of your concern. Not even a little bit, and I’m sure Beau feels the same.” She took a step closer to Liz, their faces just inches apart. “So back the fuck off and leave me alone.”

“He’ll leave you alone all the time. That’s what ruined our marriage,” Liz snapped, her bitterness slipping through her facade.

Brenna’s blood boiled at the accusation. “What ruined your marriage was you spreading your legs for another man. You knew what Beau’s job was when you met him, so don’t try to put it on him. And don’t you ever speak to me again.” She paused; her gaze locked with Liz’s. “If I were you, I’d keep a close eye on Eric. I’m sure you weren’t the first one he cheated with on me.” She stepped back, unable to stand being so close to Liz any longer. “I hope karma bites you both on the ass. It’s no less than what you both deserve. You destroyed two marriages.”

Brenna turned and pushed her cart away, needing to escape the suffocating presence of Liz. She was sure there was steam coming from her ears from the anger she felt but she refused to let it show. She didn’t care about either of them anymore, and she’d be damned before she let Liz get to her.

As she stood in line waiting to check out, her phone buzzed, and she removed it to see Beau’s number. Glancing around, she was surprised to see Liz behind her in line, still stalking her. Brenna sighed and answered the phone, grateful for the distraction.

---