Page 44 of Finding Our Reality

I nearly burst out laughing. “Oh, he asked.” Every single time we fought. Every single time I acted indifferent. Every single time I refused to let him touch me. Every single time I reacted nonchalantly to the news he had a new mistress. “I just didn’t comply.”

Ry sucks in a breath. “Why?”

Lie. Lie. Lie. Like an idiot, I tell the truth. “Because he didn’t deserve to hear about us.”

“Just like he didn’t deserve to see the real you? Did you keep hiding from him? Even after you married him?” Ry leans forward, dragging his hand across his clean-shaven jaw. “Lulu, how the hell could you marry that asshole?”

Fortunately, I don’t have to answer. There’s a knock on the conference room door, and Colson peeks his head around the corner. “Hey, Ella, sorry to interrupt.” He nods his head to Ry. “We’re up, Crutch. Have to respond to a call.”

A low growl rumbles in his chest. He grabs his cell phone and slams his laptop shut. “I’ll be back to pick you up about one.” Pausing in the doorway, he looks over his shoulder. “Christina never talked about your legs, right? I don’t have a mini skirt to worry about?”

I bite my lip. “No. She’s always been a breast woman.”

Chuckling, Ry closes the door, and I swear I hear him mumble something like, “Yeah, me too.”

Chapter 17

CRUTCH

Fortunately, Lulu was kidding about the breast part. Knowing My Lulu is full of piss and vinegar, I half expected her to be wearing a crop top when I picked her up. We’re going through a two-week cold snap right now, and it’s freezing outside. I really don’t think I’d be strong enough to see her cleavage and frozen nipples. And wasn’t looking forward to it.

Well, I was.

But you know what I mean. Thinking of her body only makes functioning like a normal human being more difficult.

We pull up in front of the brick office building, and I reach around in the back seat, grabbing my vest. Jumping out of the truck, I quickly put it on while making my way over to the passenger’s side, hoping Lulu will let me help her for once. I’m not quick enough, and she bounces down from the seat with her notebook, pen, folder, and phone in tow.

“Chivalry isn’t dead, you know? I can still help you out of the truck. You used to let me do it all the time.”

She raises her eyebrows. “Well, if that’s the rule…” Her voice trails off, laden with sexual innuendo. Quickly realizing that she’s supposed to hate me, she wipes the playful smile from her face and leaves me standing there.

Damn if I don’t miss playful Lulu. She was always a hell of a lot of fun.

Jogging to the door, I quickly open it for her. Stepping to the side, she politely lets me take the lead. The lobby is filled with some workers, but thankfully, it looks to be customer-free. Thereceptionist does a double take when she notices me and the phone drops from her hand, clattering across the desk. I side glance at Lulu, watching in amusement as she rolls her eyes.

“How may I assist you?” The lady stands, playing with the beads of her necklace.

“Ma’am,” I nod, folding my hands in front of me. “We have an appointment to see Chris—”

“Crutch!”

Our attention immediately turns to the left, where Christina emerges from an open office. At least I think it’s Christina. She looks like a completely different person. I pulled up her DMV photo before our meeting so I knew she looked better than twelve years ago, but seeing her in person is completely surprising. And refreshing. She’s dressed in nice clothes with gold bracelets that jingle when she walks. Her hair is clean and styled, her makeup perfect. She’s a healthy weight, maybe even a little on the plump side. She actually seems happy to see me. Before I know what’s happening, she’s wrapping me in a hug. When she pulls away, I can see some of the small scars that still dot her face, but the makeup does a good job at hiding most of it.

“It’s so good to see you. I’ve actually thought about you a lot over the years. Especially when I heard you became a detective. I always wanted to reach out. Just never did.”

“Christina, you look phenomenal.”

She smiles and her smile widens even more when she catches a glimpse of the man walking out of the office that’s next to hers. “Crutch, I’d like you to meet my husband, Donnie Poland. Donnie, this is Ryland Crutchfield.” She turns back to me. “I’m sorry, do we need to call you Detective or something?”

“We’ve known each other since I started kindergarten. Crutch is fine.” I turn, holding out my hand to Lulu.

“Ella Hill,” she introduces herself. “Nice to see you again, Christina.”

Christina’s eyes cloud with confusion. “Again?”

Lulu shifts on her feet but holds her back stiff and straight. “We met once. A long time ago. At a party.”

Christina looks over to me, questioning, “Trash’s?”

---