Miles for Love Series Box Set, page 101
She nods. “Yeah, apparently there was a huge accident. A cop car spun around, hit a couple of cars head on, and then flew over the guardrail. They had to shut that part of the highway down.”
I sit down and rest my purse over the back of my chair. Looking around, the place is modestly packed. It’s a great place to eat, and one of my favorites for lunch.
“So, I’m not bummed about Grant.” She lifts her hand. “He was honest with me and let me know before things got serious, and I respect that.”
“Good for you.” Really, Frankie is my hero. In all the years that I’ve been married, she’s been through a lot. She’s learned to let men roll off her shoulders if they treat her like shit. In this case, Grant did not, and that’s exactly why she’s fine. “I admire you.”
She smiles. “Why?”
“Because…me, I’d crumple like a piece of paper if I were in your shoes. I don’t handle rejection well.”
“Well, it’s not rejection, Ripley. He just…didn’t feel it.”
“Did you?”
She shrugs, mulling it over. “The sex was phenomenal, and he’s really sweet, but, all was fine and well until a couple of days ago.” She sort of sidesteps her answer.
“What happened?”
“He got really distant with me.” she says honestly. “I think there’s someone else. I’ve been in enough relationships to know the signs.”
“Like he didn’t call you and stuff, you mean?”
“Yeah, that, and when we were together, he didn’t say much.” She sighs. “To be honest, I knew it was over before it was over.”
“Are you guys going to still be friends?”
“I left the door open, Rip. It’s up to him. I’m not pissed and I didn’t flip out. We just kissed goodbye and ended it on good terms.”
“You weren’t disappointed or anything?”
She shakes her head. “Well, no. Like I said, he was distant. I would’ve been pissed had he not broken things off and just kept up with that bullshit. I mean, that’s not fair.”
“True.”
She looks at me. “So, how did it go at the lawyer’s?”
“Good. The separation papers are going out by courier today. He should probably even have them by now.”
“Have there been any advancements about Paul?”
The waitress brings us our food and drinks. We take a few bites and I answer. “No. Well, at least, not that I’m hearing about. I could call his lawyer and find out, but I really don’t want to know until it’s over.”
“Can’t say I blame you.” Frankie says evenly. “Are you happy to be back at work?”
My face breaks into a smile. “So happy.”
I’m so glad that she hasn’t asked me about Tyler. I don’t want to downplay her breakup.
“I’ll make it up to you for not coming by more often.” Frankie says. “I should never have let my relationship with Grant get in the way of being with you more. Learned my lesson the hard way.”
“It’s absolutely fine.” I wave. “I’m feeling really good. And for the record, I’d never begrudge you for spending time with someone else. It’s not like you forgot about me. I mean, we’ve been speaking every day.”
“Still.” Frankie insists. “What are you doing tonight?”
Uh oh…
“I’m…um…well, Tyler is coming over for a bit.”
She gives me a look. I don’t look at her and I try to focus on my lunch. My fork happily picks up another mouthful of my chicken Caesar salad, and I go to place it in my mouth, when her expression stops me. Frankie’s face is like stone, as if something is wrong, and my face scrunches as concern registers. “What’s wrong?”
She’s matter-of-fact when she says. “You mean you sat here for the last ten minutes, letting me rant on about Grant, when you obviously have way better things to talk about?”
I scoff, smiling. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Don’t be coy, Rip.” She smirks with the ghost of a smile on her face. “I know you too well.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” I lie.
“You are the shittiest liar that ever lived.” She stifles a laugh, waiting for me to give in that she’s caught on. When I finally smile in a way that lets her know that I’m caving, she reaches over and punches me affectionately on the arm. “I knew you guys would get together.”
“Oh? And how did you know that?” I ask righteously.
“Just a feeling.”
I smile at her. “And you don’t judge me? I’m still married.”
She tilts her head. “I credit you, as a matter of fact.”
“Why do you credit me?” I stuff my mouth with salad.
“You know that I never liked Paul. Neither did your brother Drake, or any of your family members, if we’re being honest here.”
“So that makes it okay? You know, to be with another man, when I’m still married to Paul?”
“In this case, yes.” She says, stuffing her mouth with salad, covering her mouth with her hand. “After what he did to you, you’re entitled to do whatever the hell you want, girl. If you lived to tell, hold your head high. I just hope that Tyler is good to you.”
“He is.” I gush.
“He never left your side when you were in the hospital. I knew then that you two were going to end up together.” She says, munching her meal.
“He’s…wonderful.”
“Do you love him?”
“I do.”
“And he loves you?”
“He does.”
“You go, girl.” She winks.
***
Lacey flies to Tyler, giving him a huge hug. I want so badly to kiss him, but I know that it would be inappropriate. He looks at me and winks, and I smile. I can see it in his eyes that he wants to kiss me, too. “I’ll see you later.” He says in a casual tone, but I know that he means it literally.
“See you.” I say and give him and Lacey a little wave.
I can’t stop thinking about him. The way he makes me feel, the connection that we have, how he both shows and tells me that he loves me, it’s all…wonderful. He looks back at me before he’s out of sight, and he smiles. I bite my lip. The rest of the afternoon flies by, as I prepare my lesson plan for tomorrow, and finally head home just after five. According to my GPS, the traffic is still backed up by the highway, so I make a point of avoiding the area. Tyler calls me as I’m driving home.
“Hi, baby.” He says.
“Hi,”
“I’m on my way over there, but I was stupid, and didn’t check my GPS. I’m stuck in traffic backed up from the highway.”
“Yeah, I got stuck in it at lunch. I’m surprised that they haven’t cleared it away yet.”
“There were fatalities. And it was cops involved, so probably a lot of red tape to clear before opening the highway up again.”
“Yeah. I avoided the area like the plague. Came in through the back roads. I’m almost home now.”
“Once I get past this throng of cars, I’ll make a detour, but I’ll be a little while.” He pauses. “I didn’t want you to think that I’d forgotten about you or anything.”
“I would never think that.” I say sweetly.
“You’d never have a reason to, sweetheart.”
I laugh warmly.
He does too.
I love this part of being in a relationship. It’s new and fresh, and we’re so in love that it’s probably going to be nauseating to everyone else around us.
“I had lunch with Frankie today.” I volunteer.
“She okay?”
“Yeah, she’s not the delicate type.”
“I didn’t think she was.”
“And she appreciates that he didn’t string her along. She also senses that there’s someone else.”
He sucks in air. “Yeah. It’s kind of a long story. And when I tell you it, we’ll have to keep it on the Q.T., otherwise Grant will get really pissed over it.”
“No problem. You don’t even have to tell me. I get it.”
“That’s why I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Another warm snuffle. “I can’t wait to see you.”
I pull into my driveway, switch from Bluetooth to my phone, and walk towards the front door. “I’ve turned you into a little chipmunk, haven’t I?” I giggle.
“Chipmunk?”
I get inside and close the door behind me, removing my shoes, and hanging my purse on the back of the door. “Well, aren’t chipmunks cute, cuddly, furry and loving? At least Chip and Dale are, anyway.”
“You’re so adorable I can’t stand it.” he snuffles a laugh.
“You make me that way.” I smile.
“I take full responsibility.”
“You should.” My voice is soft.
“I’m going to say it again…I love you.” His voice is like silk.
“I’ll never get tired of hearing it. I love you, too.”
I hear a knock at my front door. “Shoot. I have to go. There’s someone at the door.”
“Okay. I’ll be there shortly. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
As I hang up the phone and open my front door, my face drops as fast as my heart starts beating.
…why are there two police officers standing on my front porch?
Chapter 21
Tyler
As I turn the corner to go to Ripley’s house, I feel like my whole world is my oyster. Now, my life wasn’t a pile of crap before I met her, by any means, but man, this girl has made me see my life in a whole new light. I’ve never loved a girl before, and I realize how much of a gift it really is. Ripley is everything to me. Nothing or nobody means remotely as much to me as she does. I’d do anything for her, anything at all. It’s going to sound stupid, but sometimes when I kiss her, I feel things I’ve never felt before.
And all the while I’m feeling so exhilarated and like there is nothing in life that I can’t accomplish, it all comes crashing down the second I turn onto her street. There is a police cruiser parked in her driveway, and two police officers standing on her doorstep. My heart starts to pound, and suddenly I feel nauseous. Approaching the officers, I nod hello. “Is everything okay, Ripley?” I ask, concern plastered all over my face. Her face is pale. It’s like she’s in a daze. I don’t know who feels more nauseous.
“Sir, if you’ll step aside, this is a personal matter.” One officer says, and I’m about to oblige, when Ripley lifts her head.
“No, it’s okay, officer. But, thank you.”
I take a step towards Ripley and she looks at me. “Paul’s dead.”
My eyes widen. My voice is a whisper. “Oh my God. What happened?”
One of the police officers explains soberly. “Officers were taking him to a court hearing. The officer driving suffered a seizure and lost control of the car.”
“Oh, Jesus. Is that the accident that’s plugged up the highway all day?” I’m shocked. Utterly shocked.
“Yes.” The other officer nods. “They went over the guardrail. No one survived the impact.”
“Sorry, ma’am.” The first officer says.
Ripley’s face is stone. She looks like she’s lost for words. I want to hug her, to comfort her, but I’m not sure if this is the right time. Seeing as technically I’m the other guy.
“Thank you for telling me.” Ripley says after a beat.
“Is there anyone you need us to call for you?” one officer asks.
“No. That’s fine. I’ll call his family and let them know.”
“Okay, ma’am. Terribly sorry for your loss.” The other officer says, and then they both tip their hats, before leaving.
Ripley closes the door and I stand there, wondering what to do. I don’t know if she needs time alone, if she wants me to leave, or if she needs a hug. I look at her and say softly. “Tell me what you need me to do and I’ll do it, sweetheart.”
A gasp comes from her throat, and she whimpers. “You always know what to say and when to say it.” before she collapses into my arms. I hold her tight, rocking her, kissing her head, rubbing her back, trying to take the pain away, as she cries into my chest. This poor kid has been through so much, it’s almost unfathomable. Ripley is made of steel. I’ve never known anyone who had this much strength and courage. As I comfort her, pulling her close, trying to connect with her heart the way that she has connected with mine since we met.
When she finally pulls away, she looks up at me. “Thank God you got here when you did. I was just hanging on by a thread when they told me.”
“I saw the cruiser and the first thing I thought was that something happened to you. Like Paul got out and got to you or something. I was fucking terrified…excuse the language.”
“It’s okay. I thought that maybe he’d escaped, too.” She admits. “But when they told me what happened, I almost fainted.”
I shake my head. “Are you okay?”
She draws in a deep breath and wipes her eyes with her thumbs. “I’m in shock.”
“No kidding. To be honest, so am I.”
Another deep breath. “I have to muster up the guts to call my mother-in-law.”
“You don’t have to do that now, sweetheart.”
“Yes…I do. I’ll never sleep tonight if I don’t do it now and get it over with.”
“Okay.” I nod. “Do you…need some space? Or is there anything that I can do to help? Like I said, whatever you need, I’ll do it.”
“Do you think you can call your lawyer friend? Let him know…Jesus, I don’t even know if Paul got the papers today…” her mind is reeling.
“Baby, it’s okay. I’ll deal with that.” I place my hands on her shoulders. “I’ll go call Jason. Don’t worry about that.”
“Okay.” She sighs, wiping her eyes again. “Thank you.”
“I’ll go outside and call him. Give you some privacy.”
She nods. “Okay. Thank you.” She leans in and we kiss sweetly, before I go out onto the front porch.
Jason answers his phone on the first ring. “Tyler, my man. How are you?”
“Hey,” I answer with a mirthless chuckle. “Not so good, buddy. We got some bad news.”
“Oh. Sorry to hear that.” His chipper tone changes to concern. “What can I do for you?”
“Well, I’m not sure. Ripley’s husband died in a car accident today.”
A pause. “You serious?”
“Dead serious, man. Ripley just got the news delivered by two police officers.”
Another pause. “Holy…shit.” Pause. “Was he being transported somewhere? How was he in a car?”
“Cruiser. Headed to the courthouse. Driver had a seizure. One thing led to another and they ended up over the guardrail.”
A gasp. “Holy shit, is that the wreck that happened on the highway?”
“Yeah.”
“Jesus. I heard it was two cops and an inmate, but I didn’t even think of that.”
“Yeah. Me neither.” I sniff. “Ripley’s pretty torn up about it. She’s inside calling the in-laws right now.”
“Shit. Poor thing. Man, what a life she’s had lately, huh?” his voice is laced with empathy.
“Yeah. I know. She’s got nerves of steel.” I draw in a deep breath. “So…let me ask you…where does this leave her?”
“You mean, in terms of the separation and divorce?”
“Well…yeah.”
He scoffs. “She’s widowed now. No need to divorce a dead guy, Ty. You know that.”
“I figured. But what happens with his shit now? Does she have to sell the house?”
“Depends if he has a will. Most married couples have a joint will, and most likely they’ve left the house to the other spouse. If there isn’t a will, then unless his family contests it, she keeps it, if her name is on the lien. Unless there’s no lien, and then it depends. I can refer you to my buddy. He’s an estate lawyer. The best one here.”
“Thanks. I’ll let you know.” I pause. “Did Paul get the papers today?”
“Not sure. They were signed for, but not by him. They’re probably still with the administrative office. It usually takes a day or two to get to the receiver in this type of case.”
“Okay. Text me the number of your estate lawyer friend, just in case.”
“Sure thing. I’ll do that now.”
“Thanks, man.”
“No problem. Hey, tell Ripley that I’m sorry for her loss.”
“I will. Thanks.”
When I go back into the house, I hear Ripley sobbing. She’s sitting on the couch with her hands in her hair, bent at the waist, with her elbows resting on her knees. It takes me three long strides to get to her. The second I’m next to her, she leans her body towards me, and whimpers into my chest. “It’s okay, baby.” I whisper, kissing her head, rocking her, rubbing her back, pulling out all the stops. “It’s over, baby.”
“Oh, it was awful.” She mewls. “His mother cried so hard. My heart breaks for her.”
“I can’t imagine what that poor woman must be going through.”
“His brother had to take the phone from her because she was breaking down so bad.”
I slide my hand through her hair. “I’m so sorry that you had to be the one to do that.” I pause. “I think me going outside was a bad idea. I shouldn’t have left you.”
She pulls back, wiping her eyes. “It’s okay, Tyler. It’s just…an emotional thing…telling a mother that her son is gone. Especially when said woman has been visiting said son through plate glass over the last little while.”
“I’ll bet.” I slide my fingers through the sides of her hair. “I spoke to Jason. He said that Paul most likely never saw the papers. They arrived at the jail and were signed for, but he says that it takes a couple of days for administration to deliver them to the inmate.”
“So he died thinking that I still love him.” she mulls that over for a moment. “I suppose that’s not horrible.”
“No. It’s not.” I agree.
“What else did he say?”
“Do you want to hear this now?” I ask carefully.
She looks at me and nods. “Yes. Tell me.”
“Well, you no longer need a divorce.” I search her eyes. “Did Paul have a will?”
