Page 18 of Love Takes Home

“Well, maybe she’ll get a clue and leave.”

“According to what I heard, she’s been sleeping around on him for a year.”

“I heard that she’s been stealing all his money to buy shit.”

“I bet she’s been eating it. Doesn’t she look like she’s put on some weight?”

“What if she’s pregnant, too?”

And my personal favorite—so far, considering we haven’t even made it to the elevators yet—has to be,“Are you serious? She’s going to come in here parading around with another man? What a whore.”

I clench my fists to keep from punching someone. How dare they judge her? Assholes, the lot of them. To her credit, Ginny keeps her head high just like I knew she would and acts like she hasn’t heard a word. She blows out a breath when we step onthe elevator, and I can see her jaw clenching, but she doesn’t say anything and her spine stays straight. See, the woman is fucking strong.

We step into the waiting room full of people. Mostly our people. Mr. and Mrs. Mills, Tiny and Lottie with Nat, Ranger and Elle, and Trish’s younger siblings Lucas, Harper, and Owen. Trish's dad, Zach, is here, watching everyone. Harper gets up and runs to hug me with Nat hot on her heels. What can I say? They love me. And after I made sure that Nat knows she can always call me, I’m her favorite, much to her ‘Tiny Big Guy’s’ dismay. He’s got Owen stuck to his side like glue, though. That’s his little buddy. We all sit down after being passed around for hugs.

“Do we know anything? How’s Trish?” Ginny asks Lottie and her mom.

“She’s okay. Davis just texted and they’re getting ready to push,” Lottie tells us.

“Already?” Ginny asks. “Isn’t that fast?”

“Yes,” Mrs. Mills and Lottie say, laughing with each other.

I sit next to Ranger who leans over and quietly asks, “How bad was it when you came in?”

“Pretty bad,” I admit, frowning.

“I thought her dad might lose his shit when we got here. They started whispering then.”

“How is she?” Elle leans over to ask.

“She’ll be alright. She’s strong.”

“Maybe she’ll realize that one day.” Elle purses her lips like she has more to say, but holds her tongue. “But the shit they were saying was fucked up.”

“How?” Ginny asks, and we realize we weren’t being as quiet as we thought. “What were they saying when you got here?”

“We don’t need to rehash that,” Mr. Mills quickly says, patting her knee.

“I want to know. Better to arm myself with the truth than hide and pretend it’s not happening.”

“They were wondering if you’d show your face, if you’d still be in your wedding dress no one got to see you in—”

“Please tell me you destroyed that dress,” Lottie interrupts Elle to the chuckles of everyone who had the pleasure of seeing said dress.

“He cut it off me,” Ginny responds, pointing at me. I smirk back at her.

“I’m sorry, what?” Elle blinks. “Why?”

“Something you want to tell us?” Tiny asks, waggling his brows, causing me to snort.

“Well, I now know what it feels like to have a panic attack with shapewear on under a dress that weighs over forty pounds that’s trying to choke you and rub your skin off at the same time.” This she says loud enough to ensure everyone else in the waiting room that has already been listening hears her. Badass.

“Honey,” Mrs. Mills gasps. “Are you alright?”

“I’m okay, Mom.”

“But why did you have a panic attack?” her mom persists. “And why didn’t you tell me before now?”

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