Page 115 of Just Exes

I’ve receivedthree letters from Missy since my visit, and each one has been thrown in the trash, unopened. The media attention has died off after no one was willing to give interviews, even for the vast amount of money they were throwing out for exclusive stories.

They brought more charges onto Missy after her admission to me at the prison, but she took a plea again and it never went to trial. Last night, Luke sent me a report, claiming Missy was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and she was finally seeking treatment for it. Who knows how long she’s been suffering with it? But, with her parents’ need to keep a clean appearance, I’m sure it’s been for years. With her new diagnosis, she wants an appeal now that she is in the right state of mind.

That’s the shitty thing about mental illness.

People are afraid to ask for help.

They’re ashamed, afraid to be the brunt of a joke, and they feel weak. Not a day will go by that I’ll forgive Missy, but the state of her mental awareness casts understanding in me.

I say my last good-bye to Andy’s gravestone as the sun starts to set behind it.

Forty-One

Lauren

“Something smells good,”Gage sings out after walking into the loft. He starts to dance by the stove. “And my girl is making gumbo!”

Our initial plan was to buy a house, but we delayed the house-hunting in exchange for staying in the loft. Amos enjoys having us around, and we like his company just as much. It took time for Gage to fully forgive his father for what he’d asked me to do so many years ago, but they’re working on strengthening their relationship.

Life is more relaxing when there are no secrets.

It took us a week after Ronnie's assault before we managed to walk into the loft without wanting to puke, but eventually, we put that in the back of our minds. Ronnie is locked up, and more women have come forward with claims that he assaulted them.

From what Gage says, the bastard will be spending a good chunk of his life in jail for the assaults and the apparent drug ring he had going on … in myold apartment building.

I jump off the couch and snap my fingers to stop Gage from taking a bite from the pot. We finally broke down and bought a new couch …afterbreaking our cherished, memory-holding one during a night of drunken sex. I still miss that ugly-ass thing though.

I swat his hand away when I reach him. “Don’t you dare touch that! It’s for dinner tonight.”

Gage frowns and drops the spoon. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re no fun, Dyson?”

I smack his stomach. “You didn’t say that last night, and I doubt you’ll be saying it when we get back from dinner with my family.”

He pulls me into him and wraps his arms around me. “I love it when you play dirty.”

Amos bursts into the loft without knocking. “You two ready to go? I have a bet with Hudson on the game, and you know how much I hate losing money.”

Gage is in charge of holding the gumbo as we walk down the steps and get into his truck. Our monthly family dinners have expanded. Amos along with Gage are always invited. Kyle has also been known to make a few appearances. He claims it’s because my mom makes great food, but we all know he likes me more than he puts on. I’ve graduated from the Satan nickname.

This dinner is important to us tonight.

I move around in my seat, unable to get comfortable, as excitement thrums through me.

Gage leans in before starting the truck. “How long are we waiting before we break the news?” he asks.

“As it’s looking right now, about ten seconds,” I answer.

* * *

I’m goingto chicken out. I’m going to chicken out.

My breathing catches in my throat when I stand up and look at everyone sitting at the long outdoor table in my parents’ backyard. Gage and I didn’t have a plan onwhenwe were breaking the news, but he said he’d wait until I made the first move.

All eyes go to me. My mom sets her drink down, and my dad drops the spoon in his hand. I feel like the main character in a movie who’s about to announce a life-changing event.

Granted, I am making an announcement about a life-changing event.

I look down and glare at Gage, who’s still in his chair next to me. I flick the top of his head, and he tosses his napkin on the table before standing up and clearing his throat.

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