Page 110 of Sometimes You Fall

“Where did you get this?” Andrew is seething.

“I have friends, important ones, who know how to track down the right information when necessary,” Grady replies coolly, nodding toward the stack of papers. “Now, if you’ll take out that last packet, you’ll find a petition for voluntary termination of parental rights.”

My stomach drops and the ground seems to sway beneath me. I steady myself on Grady’s arm before my knees buckle underneath me.

Grady had legal paperwork prepared so Andrew can’t fight me.

If I was on the fence about how I feel about this man before, this settles it.

“I don’t have to sign shit,” Andrew snaps.

Grady takes a step toward him. “You don’thaveto, but if you want to push this, I’ll take immense pride in airing your dirty laundry in court. I also have friends in the press, which would do wonders for your legal career, wouldn’t it, Warner?”

Andrew’s face contorts with anger. “You mother fucker!” He lunges forward, but Grady’s quicker, stepping between Andrew and me. He extends his arm, closing his hand around Andrew’s throat before he can get any closer.

“Don’t think I won’t snap just because Scottie is here. Technically, you’re trespassing on her property, so we’re within our rights to defend ourselves. But I don’t think that’s what either of us wants, is it?” I clasp my hands over my mouth as Andrew struggles to breathe. “Do you need a pen?”

Andrew bobs his head up and down as Grady releases him and pulls a pen from his pocket, shoving it into his chest. “Here.”

Wheezing, my ex-husband scribbles his name across the pages that fell to the ground, and for the first time in months, I feel like I can breathe.

“Smart choice.” Grady takes the papers from Andrew and puts them back in the envelope. “Now, I suggest you get the fuck out of town. Forget you ever knew this woman and her son, and remember that someone is always watching, Andrew. Always.”

Andrew dips his eyes up and down my body before he grates out, “You know what? Keep her. Her and that kid are the greatest mistake I’ve ever made.”

My heart cracks in my chest as I watch him walk down the sidewalk, back out to his car, and drive off. And then I start to sink down to the ground.

“Oh, no you don’t,” Grady says, kneeling and catching me before I hit the ground as a sob escapes my lips. “It’s okay, baby. It’s okay. He’s gone.”

My body is shaking uncontrollably. All the fear, all the regret—it’s leaving my soul through my tears as Grady lifts me in his arms and starts to carry me to the front door.

“Grady! Grady!” My mother’s voice breaks through my crying, but I keep my face buried in Grady’s chest. “Is she okay?”

“I’ve got her, Lisa.” He assures her, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Andrew’s gone and he won’t be coming back, I can promise you that.”

“I was watching in case he got out of line, but I wanted to keep my distance too.” Her voice is shaky. “What did he say?” my mother asks as she starts stroking my back. “Scottie, baby. Are you all right?”

Grady hoists me tighter in his arms. “She’s going to be. I need to get her inside. That was a lot of stress on her and the baby and I need to make sure they’re okay. I’ll text you.”

My mother presses a kiss to my cheek. “He’s gone, baby. You’re safe now.”

Little does she know just how true that is, especially here in Grady’s arms.

Grady opens the front door and takes me straight to the couch. Depositing me carefully on the cushions, he props my feet up on a pillow as I fight to take in breaths.

Is this what a panic attack feels like?

“Breathe, Scottie. Breathe.” He pushes my hair back from my face, kissing my forehead. “I’m going to get you some water. Just keep taking deep breaths.”

By the time he returns, I feel like my heart rate is getting back to normal, and when I finally open my eyes, he’s on his knees by my side, holding my hand, and staring at me like he’s afraid I might disappear.

“Grady…”

“I’m sure you have questions, but I need you to calm down a little bit more before we talk. Your pulse is through the roof, and that’s not good for the baby, Scottie.”

I nod, closing my eyes and resting my head back against the pillow as our daughter moves around in my stomach. On instinct, both Grady and I place our hands there, silently comforting one another and absorbing the fact that she’s okay and the drama from earlier is over—hopefully for the rest of my life.

“What was in the envelope?” I ask when I finally feel more at ease.

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