Page 76 of Finding Our Reality

“The frames are $89.”

“I don’t have cash on me right now. I’m gonna write you a check. Just swing by the bank and cash it before going to the eye doctor’s office, okay?”

Opening the door, he leans in, grabbing a checkbook and ink pen from the center console. He doesn’t look me in the eyes. He doesn’t say anything.

And that makes my heart thunder against my chest. Powerfully. Hard and wild, like a rabid animal is chasing me through the dark night.

“I didn’t even ask…do you need me to get her from camp and take her to the doctor? You’re on shift, aren’t you?”

“It’s slow right now. Stinson said I can take the afternoon on sick pay.”

“You sure?” He tears the check and hands it over to her.

She nods and turns the check over in her hand. “Crutch, I only need $89. This check is for $200.”

“I know,” he says, simply. “It’s been a while since Laura’s come over to my house. You know she loves it there. Let me come get her… I’ll pick her up tomorrow morning and she can stay the night. I promise to have her back Sunday evening before bath time. You need a break, some alone time. Use the extra money and go get a manicure or a pedicure or what-the-hell-ever you women like. It’s on me.”

Brooke stutters over her words. “Are…are you sure?”

“Of course, I’m sure. She’s family.” He tucks a finger underneath her chin, lifting her eyes to his. “You both are.”

The world stops spinning. I stop breathing. Panic doesn’t even come close to describing it. Life as I thought I knew it ceases to exist.

I always do what I shouldn’t do.

I knew I shouldn’t have allowed myself to fall for him again.

Ry—the man I’m in love with—has a child with another women.

Chapter 26

CRUTCH

“Do you plan on telling me what’s wrong? Or do I just have to sit here and keep guessing?”

She shrugs, staring out the passenger-side window. “Nothing’s wrong.”

“Bullshit, Lulu. You barely said two words during the interview. Something is obviously wrong.” I narrow my eyes, thinking. “Did Trash say anything to you? Something inappropriate? When I went to the bathroom?”

Turning to me, she scowls. “You think I don’t know how to protect myself from your stupid brother and his come-ons?”

“I didn’t say that. I asked if he said something inappropriate.”

“No, he’s not the inappropriate one.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Who’s been inappropriate to you? Someone at the station?”

“Nothing. No one.” Pulling out her phone, she pretends to answer work emails.

“Lulu, I’m not done talking to you.”

Raising her eyebrows, she glowers at me with menace in her eyes. “Do you mind? I’m trying to do some work.”

There’s no point in trying to talk to her when she’s like this. I’ll just have to wait until we get parked, and I can force her to look me in the eyes.

Turns out, that’s wishful thinking. She jumps out of the truck the second we park. Grabbing her purse and work bag, she flees to her vehicle, tossing the large bag in the back seat and lockingthe doors. She’s already walking down the sidewalk when I race up next to her. “What are you doing? Are you going to the bar?”

“Yes.”

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