Page 54 of Tiny's Law

I feel better knowing that she’s with Reggie. I fast forward the footage to the current time and let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding when her car is still in its spot in their driveway. So, for the moment, I know she’s safe.

Chapter 16

Kourtney

How is it possible Matthew’s wife Evie and Tiny’s aunt Evie are the same?

Why would this happen to me?

Just my luck. I’m sure Matthew has fed her nothing but lies about me. That’s the only explanation for the vile things she’s said.

When I was dating Ben, I actually got along with Evelyn, or Evie, as Tiny and his mom called her.

The look on Tiny’s face when Evie accused me of sleeping with her husband and ruining her marriage is stuck like a screensaver inside my head. I left because I panicked and felt cornered. No matter what I could’ve said, there’s no way they would believe that I never slept with him. In their eyes, I’m sure I’m the woman who ruined Evie’s marriage.

Does Tiny believe that I could do that?

By the look on his face, yes, he could. I would say he does.

As distraught as I am, there’s only one place I can think to go.

Not home, but to the only person aside from my parents that feels like home to me.

Reggie’s.

My phone died on my way to the disaster of a dinner at Tiny’s, so I can’t even call to give Reggie a head’s up about the dumpster fire headed his way. Pulling up to the gate outside of his neighborhood, I hit the call request button. After tapping their address on the screen, I wait for what feels like an eternity for one of them to answer.

“Hello?” Owen’s voice cracks through the speaker box.

“It’s me, Owen,” my own voice cracks in response.

“Kourt? What are you doing here?” he asks gently.

“Can I please come in?”

Not even five seconds later, the machine buzzes loudly, and the automatic arm raises to let me through the gate.

I hold the tears in until I see Owen waiting for me with the door wide open. By the time I make it up the driveway, Reggie is standing behind him with his arms open for me. As soon as I step into them, the tears start to fall, and it’s impossible to get them to stop.

I vaguely feel Owen put a gentle hand on my back and guide us into the living room. Reggie pulls me down on the couch next to him and wraps me in a tight embrace. “What happened, babe?”

“He’s done it again!” I sob. “As if forcing me to quit and leave Phoenix wasn’t enough, now I’m going to lose the only man I’ve ever given a shit about!”

“I’ll try not to take offense to the ‘only man you’ve ever given a shit about’ comment, but still, I ask, what happened?”

“Tiny is Matt’s wife’s nephew!”

Through my tears, Reggie’s blurry face turns concerned and a tad bit confused, so I do my best to explain the events of the evening that brought me here, crying and furious.

“Tiny came by the office today and told me he wanted me to meet his mom and aunt since they came into town. I grabbed a bottle of my favorite wine and went over there. I'll admit I was nervous as hell, but I wanted to go because we made our relationship official yesterday. He said something about me being an old lady,” I ramble and wave my hand before continuing. “Anyway, he told me how he was ready for me to meet his mom, so after a minor freak out, I agreed. Well, color me surprised when in walks his aunt, Matt’s wife. Evie, or Evelyn, or whatever.” Forcing myself to take a deep breath, I wipe the moisture from underneath my eyes and brush my fingers against my jeans. “She caught me in the dining room alone while Tiny was opening my wine, and I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t have to do anything. She came at me swearing up a storm, calling me every name you can think of.”

“Damn,” Owen says from his spot behind the couch.

“He came in before I could even get a word out, and she quickly acted like nothing happened. All through dinner, it seemed fine, and I got along well with Emily, Tiny’s mom. But after his mom asked me why I became a lawyer, Evie snapped and told them all that I got fired for fucking Matt for a promotion.” I can’t help the fresh wave of tears that pour down my cheeks. Normally, I’m not such an emotional person. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me.

“Well, hell,” Reggie exhales. “You just took off? Did Tiny try to stop you?”

“I don’t know. His face looked horrified. Like he believed her. I ran out of there like a bat out of hell. Even if he did run after me, I wouldn’t know.”

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