Page 3 of Outplayed

“Keep my number in case, and if you fear she’s going to run, call me. Free of charge of course.”

Tears welled in her eyes. It was my time to retreat. I didn’t do well with crying since I hardly did it myself. “Thank you for coming in, but Warden is calling me over.”

Warden, hearing his name being called, raised his head and rolled his eyes. “Ah, yeah, I need help with something for a second.” He knew the drill. If he saw me dealing with an emotional client, he had to be my distraction.

Mrs Monroe nodded and hugged my tense body. “Yes, yes. You must be busy. Thank you again.”

“You’re welcome.” I smiled before turning and making my way over to Warden. Zara would fix the bill, so I had to make sure I looked busy until the coast was clear.

Warden pointed at something on his screen. I nodded. He whispered, “You know you’re a woman too and this crying shit shouldn’t scare you.”

“Shut up.” I hissed through my teeth and grinned down at him. As soon as I heard the door open and close, I looked over. Zara was already shaking her head at me.

“What?”

She rolled her eyes. “Nothing.”

“Good, I’m going to skip out early. Warden, you good to lock up?”

“You know it.”

“Thanks. Butch and Chuck won’t show until tomorrow, hopefully with some news on their case.”

I went to my desk and grabbed my keys and purse before starting for the door.

“You have a 9:00 a.m. meeting with a Mrs Bendale,” Zara reminded me.

“I’ll be sure to arrive early for it. Later, guys.”

“Bye.” Zara waved. Warden grunted.

As I drove home, I smiled. Business was good. Even when I had pricks like Mr Donahue showing, I was still happy with how things were going. I’d caught up on most of my paperwork, so it was a night of relaxing and enjoying the quiet.

At home, I turned on the living room light since it was nearly dark, then walked into the kitchen and did the same. After I called for a pizza, I showered, then dressed in leggings and a hoody before heading to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. Bottle in hand, I made my way into the living room. The quiet of the place had started to get to me more and more recently. I picked up the remote and sat on the couch, turning on the TV. Reruns of Friends were on, so I left it on the channel and got comfortable.

I glanced around my living room. I wasn’t a woman who wanted much, but I was in a place where I could buy anything I wanted. I just didn’t need much in life.

And I was happy.

I was.

I had a great business, wonderful colleagues, a place of my own. I went out when I wanted, which wasn’t often. I dated when I felt the need to, and again, it wasn’t often.

I was happy with how my life was.

I wasn’t missing anything.

I refused to think of the man who could have been on the couch beside me, if only I had asked him to stay. But I didn’t want to be the woman to make a man pick her over his career. Especially when I’d been just as ambitious as he’d been.

I refused to think of the loss I felt when he left.

I hid it even when we’d kept in contact for a while.

Weakness wasn’t something I showed. I’d been weak after he’d left. Weak because I’d missed him with every breath I took.

But I wasn’t thinking of him and how I knew he was living in Ballarat. I refused to know where he actually lived. That way, I wouldn’t head on over to see what he looked like after all these years. I refused to think of my desire to run into him down the street.

Lives changed.

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