“We already know you two are together. I may have been really busy the past few weeks, but I’m not stupid,” Callie says, looking at Leighton. “I’m not mad, I mean I know I told you to stay away from him, but I figured that was void when I married his best friend and didn’t tell either of you.”
“You’re really not mad?” Leighton asks with a look of pure relief. I know she has been worried about telling them about us being together, but I am more worried about telling them the rest.
“Of course I’m not mad. I just wish you had told me sooner. Believe me when I say it’s a lot less stressful with everything out in the open,” she says smiling. I’m really glad she’s okay with all of this, but I really need her to be okay with the rest. I guess I better go ahead and finally get all of it out there.
“There’s something else we need to tell you,” I say, taking a deep breath.
“You’re not pregnant, are you?” Callie asks Leighton.
“No, of course not,” Leighton says, looking shocked. I definitely wasn’t expecting that question.
“Here’s what’s going on. Over a year ago, I put in a transfer. I needed to get out of town for a while. I wanted a change. It was before Molly’s accident and before I knew about you,” I say, looking at Callie. “They never got back with me on it, so I kind of forgot about it, until a couple of months ago when I found out I was finally being transferred,” I say, looking over at Ash. I hope he has some idea of how Callie is going to react to all of this.
“Where are you being transferred?” Ash asks.
“Destin”
“You’re moving to Florida?” Callie asks finally saying something.
“Yes,” I say quietly.
“I was hoping Leighton would finally move here. Are y’all really okay with a long distance relationship? Miami and Destin aren’t very close,” Callie says.
“Actually, I am moving to Destin. I sent my resume in a couple of months ago when Brody found out and went for an interview before I flew up here. They called this morning and I have to be there in two weeks for a meeting,” Leighton says.
“When do you leave?” Callie asks, looking back at me.
“I have to be there next week. I need to leave in two days,” I say, wishing I had told her this a few weeks ago. She is really taking this well, way too well. Maybe she doesn’t need me as much as I thought she did.
“Okay, well congratulations to both of you on your new jobs,” Callie says, finally looking like she is about to lose it any second. “I need to go check on the girls,” she says, getting up and walking down the hall.
“I guess this is permanent since Leighton got a job and is moving with you?” Ash asks.
“I told them I didn’t want permanent. You know how that goes, could be a couple of months or a couple of years. We just didn’t want to live in different towns anymore,” I say.
“I understand that. I really wish you had told her on any other day but today. It’s not her favorite day, you know,” Ash says, leaning his head back on the couch. How could I have been so stupid? I completely forgot this is the Fourth.
“Oh no, I wasn’t even thinking about the date. I’ll go talk to her,” Leighton whispers, standing up to walk down the hall.
“I’m sorry man. I really should have told her sooner. I haven’t been thinking straight lately. How has she been? I mean before we came over and ruined the day,” I ask.
“She’s better. I think she is just feeling really overwhelmed with everything. She’s a little worried about having everybody over tonight too. I think she’s just exhausted. Kids are exhausting,” he says, yawning.
“Yeah, I have no idea how my mom handled four under four. Lucky for her I was the perfect child,” I say with a laugh.
“So, you and Leighton, when did that start?” Ash asks.
“It probably started the first time she opened her smart mouth to me, but officially started, a few months ago. It has been pure torture being away from her,” I say knowing he probably understands what that feels like.
“I bet you were going to see her all those weekends you had to go away for work,” Ash says, laughing. “I can’t believe you thought no one knew about it,” he says, shaking his head.
Finally, after a few minutes, Leighton and Callie come back into the living room holding a baby each. I stand up and go give Callie a big hug.
“I’m so sorry I told you this today, I really wasn’t thinking. I hope I haven’t made your day even worse,” I say, before grabbing Annie from her.
“I am really happy for both of you. I hate y’all aren’t going to be here, but now I will have a good excuse to come to Florida. I could use a week at the beach,” she says, before going over to sit with Ash on the couch. I go back to the other couch and sit by Leighton, who is still holding Ella.
“Speaking of Destin, how it that going to go with your sister and Josh?” Callie asks Leighton.
“I’m hoping I can avoid them. I made it to the interview without seeing them. I don’t see any reason they need to find out,” she says.
“Wait, isn’t Destin where the crazy restraining order woman lives? What if you find her, what was her name?” Ash asks, laughing.
“You never told me that was Destin. I guess we will have a long list of crazies to avoid,” Leighton says. I had completely forgotten about her too. Leighton really has messed with my head. I am really hoping I never see that girl again.
“What crazy restraining order woman?” Callie asks. I can’t believe she has never heard this story before.
“This girl, Sam, I used to date. She turned out to be a psycho. She would call all the time and drive by my house. She would not take no for an answer,” I say hoping she has moved on to some poor guy by now.
“I can’t believe a cop had to get a restraining order. That is the funniest thing I have ever heard,” Callie says, laughing for the first time today.
“What is so funny in here?” Jaxon asks, coming through the front door.
“Brody is telling me about some girl he used to date that he had to get a restraining order on,” Callie says, laughing even harder. Maybe she is okay with all of this after all.
“I remember her. She was hot and he was so in love with her. I wonder what happened to her,” he says, coming over to take Annie from me. These poor babies get passed around so much.
“Of course she was hot,” Leighton says, sounding jealous. I hope she knows she has absolutely nothing to worry about with that crazy woman.
“Just because they are hot, doesn’t mean anything. My ex-wife, Maya, was really hot and we all know how that turned out,” Jaxon says.
“What is the story with her anyway?” Callie asks. Jaxon never talks about her, so I’m not sure how this will go. In fact, I don’t remember him ever bringing her up voluntarily before today.
“I thought she was amazing until I opened up an envelope with pictures of her and my best friend in bed.”
“How do you know it wasn’t photo shopped? Did she say why she was with him?” Callie asks.
“I’m a detective. It’s kind of my job to be able to tell if something is real. Believe me, it was. I sent her divorce papers the next week and told her I never wanted to see her again and I haven’t. She sent me a letter once, but I never opened it. I didn’t really want to see any more pictures of them,”
“Wow, I can’t believe you never talked to her after all of that. Are they still together?”
“I have no idea. I haven’t seen either of them in almost five years now,” Jaxon says, shaking his head. “Oh well, it doesn’t matter now. Why are you talking about crazy ex-girlfriends anyway?” I guess I might as well go ahead and tell him now. I should probably wait until we are all together, but I am too excited to keep it quiet much longer.
“I’m moving to Destin,” I say, looking over at him. “Actually, we are moving to Destin,” I say, grabbing Leighton’s hand.
“Why are you moving to Destin?”
“I got transfer
red. I put in for one over a year ago and it finally went through a few weeks ago,” I say.
“You are moving to Destin too?” he asks Leighton.
“I put in my resume when we found out he was being transferred. I found out this morning I got a job.”
“Wow, have you told mom and dad?” he asks. Why is he not asking about us being together? Has everyone known about us this whole time?
“Not yet, I was planning on telling everyone tonight. We just came over early to tell Callie and Ash.”
“Congratulations. Florida will probably be a nice place to live. Are you going to sell your house here?”
“No, I’m hoping one day we can move back here,” I say, wondering if he caught the word we.
“Good. And I’m really glad we can stop talking about the two of you behind your backs. Mom will be glad too. She was starting to get mad y’all were keeping your relationship such a secret. I mean, she understood why they did it,” he says, nodding his head toward Ash and Callie, “but none of us could figure out why the two of you were being so secretive.”
“So everybody knows about us?” Leighton asks.
“It wasn’t really that hard to figure out,” Callie says. “I’m really sorry y’all thought you couldn’t tell me. But really, did you not think I would understand?”
“I hoped you would, but you did keep telling me they were all off limits,” Leighton says, smiling.
“I am a little mad y’all are moving though. You really better not stay gone forever. You would probably be really good babysitters, if I ever leave them,” Callie says, looking like she is ready to grab her babies back.
“I know someone who would love to keep them. Mom is about to have a fit for these babies to stay with her,” Jaxon says.
“Yes I am, do you need a babysitter?” mom asks, walking into the house.
“Not yet, but I will keep you in mind,” Callie says. While mom heads over to grab a baby from Jaxon, Leighton stands up to take one to my dad. I know they are crazy over these little ones and I am really glad Callie is being so good with sharing them with all of us.
“When is Collin supposed to be here?” I ask. I am so ready for everyone to hear our news.
“He was outside talking to Clayton. They both pulled up behind us,” dad says. “Are you two finally not keeping secrets anymore,” he says, looking at our hands.
“We may be keeping one more. As soon as Collin gets in here, we have some news,” I say, squeezing Leighton’s hand and watching my mom give me a funny look.
“I guess Molly decided to stay in Nashville?” Callie asks. A couple of months ago Molly decided to go back to work in Nashville and she hasn’t been back since. We are all trying to call her more often since she probably does feel like she is all alone, but so far we haven’t been able to get her to come home. I’m assuming it probably has something to do with the two tiny new additions to this family.
“She said she had a few properties to show this morning and was going out with some friends tonight. She also said to thank you for inviting her,” mom tells Callie.
“Okay, here’s Collin, what’s your news, Brody?” My dad asks as soon as Collin walks in the door.
“I got transferred to Florida,” I say, watching my mom smile at Leighton.
“So you’re moving to Miami,” she says.
“Not exactly, I actually got transferred to Destin.”
“Destin and Miami aren’t that close. Wouldn’t you two rather be in the same town? I’m sure Leighton could get a job here and you could ask to not be transferred,” mom says.
“I tried to get out of it, but I couldn’t. I put in for the transfer a year ago, I thought I wasn’t going to get one, but I got a call a few weeks ago,” I say.
“You’ve known about this for a few weeks?” she asks. I should have known this wasn’t going to be easy. I guess I need to go ahead and tell her the rest.
“I have. As soon as I found out, Leighton put in for a job in Destin too. She found out this morning she got one, so she will be living in Destin too,” I say, watching my mom.
“Well, I’m glad you two will finally be together. I wish it was closer, but I understand you need to do what’s best for the two of you,” she says, coming over to give us both a hug.
Leighton
“Here’s the last box,” I say, finally sitting down for the first time today. “I’m going to have to go the store. We don’t even have anything to drink in this condo.”
“I’ll finish unpacking if you want to do that before it gets too late,” Brody says, giving me a quick kiss. “I’m really glad you decided to come with me and not wait another week”
“I am really glad I didn’t wait too. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” I say rushing out the door. I have always loved this town. I will definitely always be a beach girl. Growing up here, I always imagined living here and starting a family with Josh. Of course, that was before my sister got her grubby little hands on him. In a way I would really love to know what made him suddenly decide to marry her. Who does that? Within a month he was over me and married to her. Something is definitely strange about that entire situation. Oh well, I am here with Brody now and there is no way she is getting near him.
After pulling in to the grocery parking lot, I head inside and grab a shopping cart. I really wish I had made a list. I am way too exhausted to think about what I am going to need for the rest of the week. I have the cart half full when I decide I have enough to get through a few days anyway. I am heading to checkout when I hear a voice I have dreaded ever since we decided to move here. The one voice I was hoping I could avoid for the rest of my life if possible.
“Oh my goodness, look what the cat drug in,” Manna says from behind me. “What are you doing here?” I slowly turn around to see my sister staring at me. At least she is by herself. I really don’t think I could have handled seeing her and Josh.
“I am grocery shopping. That’s usually what people do in a grocery store,” I say hoping I can get out of here quick.
“Are you on vacation?” she asks, narrowing her eyes at me. I guess now is as good of a time as ever to tell her the news.
“No, I am actually living here for a little while. Hopefully, not forever,” I say. Maybe that will make her think this is a quick think and I didn’t come here to see her or Josh.
“He doesn’t want you back. We are happy.”
“I am really glad you are happy. I am too. I am with someone now and he is amazing. I am not interested in Josh anymore. I pretty much lost interest when he married you,” I say, trying not to sound bitter. I actually don’t care anymore. I really do love Brody and I am very thankful every day that I found him.
“Good for you,” she says with a fake smile. “I would love to meet him. Maybe we can have dinner tomorrow night,” she says, pulling a piece of paper out of her purse. After writing something on it, she hands it to me. Is she serious?
“This is our favorite restaurant. I can’t wait to meet this new guy. We will see you tomorrow,” she says before adding, “Unless it would be too hard for you to see me and Josh so happy.” This girl drives me completely insane. I definitely do not want to have dinner with the two of them. But if I don’t, she is going to think it’s because I’m jealous of her and Josh.
“We would love to have dinner with both of you,” I say hoping my smile looks a lot better than I feel.
“Great, see you then. I am really glad to see you here, Leighton. I have really missed you,” she says, giving me a quick hug before walking in the opposite direction. I haven’t even been here a day and I have already ran into the one person I didn’t want to see.
I pay for my groceries and head out to my car. I grab my phone and call Callie. If I don’t talk to someone, I may go crazy.
“Hello,” she answers sounding exhausted.
“Did I walk you up?” I ask.
“No, I don’t think I ever sleep anymore,” she says, laughing. “How’s Florida?”
“Oh it’s great. I had to go grab some groceries real quick and you will never believe who I ran into.”
“Josh?” she asks.
“Nope, I saw Manna. Seriously, all the grocery stores in this town and I find her at the first place I go.”
“Oh no. How did that go?” Callie asks.
“Horrible. We have to have dinner with both of them tomorrow night. How am I supposed to get through a meal with him? I don’t want to see either of them ever again. What am I going to do?”
“Don’t go. Why would she think you would want to have dinner with them?”
“I have to go. She said if I couldn’t handle seeing how happy they were together, she completely understood.”
“Have you told Brody yet?” Callie asks.
“No, I just left the store. I called you first. I hope he will go with me. I really didn’t want him to meet either one of them. This is a nightmare.”
“He will go with you and it will be fine. If it gets bad, get up and walk out. I don’t think Brody is going to let them be mean to you if he’s there. You will be fine,” she says.
“I hope you’re right. I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow night. How are my sweet baby girls?”
“They are cute as ever. They never sleep though. It’s a really good thing I don’t have a job right now,” she says.
“Try to get some rest and give those babies a kiss for me. I’ll talk to you soon,” I say, before hanging up. I pull into a parking place and grab the groceries before heading into the condo. We found a great condo on the beach and I am so glad we got to it before it rented out. I have always wanted to live right on the beach.
“Hey, you didn’t get much,” Brody says, taking the bags from me.
“I got distracted. My sister was there,” I say, watching him turn around to look at me.
“I’m so sorry. I guess I should have gone instead. Was she nice?” he asks.
“She was okay. We have to have dinner with them tomorrow night,” I say hoping he agrees.
Trusting You: The Switched Series book two Page 9
