I smile. “It makes absolute sense.”
“There’s a picture of me with a blonde, and Natalie has it? What?”
“In a sports magazine.”
“Oh! I completely forgot about that. She’s a local television news reporter who interviewed me right before the magazine did. They snapped the pic as we were wrapping up our interview to save time.”
The pitter patter begins again, and I have to work very hard to hold back my smile.
“Does she belong to you?” a uniformed officer asks, pushing a disheveled and ill-looking Iris in my direction.
“No, she belongs to me,” Howard says, hands on his hips.
“Howie, baby. I kicked ass!” She raises her hands above her head as she runs a tight circle victory lap. The cop shakes his head, and she stops to whisper. “I did. I kicked it.”
“Get her out of here, and keep her away from her.” He points between Whitney and Iris.
“No problem,” Howard says, grabbing Iris by the elbow when she starts making faces and lewd hand gestures at Whitney.
“Wait!” Iris shrieks. Howard stops in his tracks. “Mallory. We need to get her home.”
“I’ll bring her home,” Brent offers without hesitation.
“Thank you,” I loudly whisper, and he nods.
“Well, okay!” Iris shouts, still wasted on Tail Spins. “You do that, Brent Grayson. You take her home, and you damn well better take care of her because just in case you didn’t know, I kick ass! You’re big, but you don’t scare me, mister!”
“We’re going. Right now,” Howard explains to the officer as he drags her out the doors.
“You two are free to go,” he directs towards me and Brent.
“Ready?” he asks. I glance over to see Colt still being interviewed.
“Yeah, I’m ready,” I say, following Brent out the door.
TWENTY-FOUR
My eyes shamelessly roam the length of Brent’s well-defined torso, to which his shirt tightly clings. I miss nestling into that special spot between his neck and shoulder, and when I notice the shit-eating grin Brent’s wearing while holding the police station door for me, I realize it’s obvious he’s read my mind. “Umm…thanks,” I mumble, glad to be stepping into the darkness so my flushing is less visible. Other than the heat, the next thing I notice is a stretch limo illuminated by the street lights. “Whose is that?” I ask, when Brent steps beside me.
“Mine!” Nate strides past us, slapping Brent on the shoulder when another car pulls up behind the limo.
“So we’re going in a limo?” I question a little disappointed to be sharing a ride.
“No, Nate’s got the limo. That’s my car.” He points over to a shiny black Charger. The driver of Brent’s car climbs out, walks over to the limo, and gets into the passenger side. Nate waves goodbye before disappearing through the door being held open by the chauffeur.
“After you,” Brent offers, and I lead the way to his beautiful new ride. It sure is a far cry from the clunker SUV he used to drive.
“This car is really nice. You’ve always wanted one of these, haven’t you?”
Brent chuckles at my reaction to his ride. “You remember that I like muscle cars? Yeah, she’s beautiful. It’s a loaner, but I’ve got one similar back home.”
“Of course I remember. She?” I shake my head and try to hide my smile.
“Yes, she. Sometimes I want to pinch myself with the way everything is unfolding for me. It’s a dream come true.” He looks down to the ground. “That must sound corny. Sorry.”
“Hey, don’t apologize. I understand how much this all means to you. I’m happy for you.”
“Mal…”
“I am. Promise.”
Brent shoots me a grin and nudges my shoulder with his. “That means a lot.”
“I know.” As I climb in the front seat, the smell of fine leather mixed with “new car” assaults my senses. I don’t think I’ve ever owned real leather before. It smells pretty nice.
“Okay, buckle up, and we’ll head out.” As we pull away, there’s an awkward silence that lingers between us. I have so many things I want to say. I still love you and Please don’t leave me tonight are phrases that pop into mind. However, as I quietly sit in his car while ingesting all of the happiness his new life brings him, I can’t allow myself to say any of it. It’s because of me that his dream slipped through his fingers. He sacrificed everything to be with me, and now it’s my turn to sacrifice my happiness for him. He needs to see that I’m doing okay without him. That the kids and I are perfectly fine without him. Happiness suits him so well, and my heart hurts knowing he wasted so many of his years living in the rut I created with my lack of ambition.
“So, Iris was a beast tonight, huh?” Brent breaks the silence after ten minutes or so.
I can’t help but smile at the memory of Iris tackling Whitney to the ground. It was nearly as satisfying as doing it myself. Who knew Whitney wore a hair piece? The mental picture of Iris snatching Whitney’s wig clean off her head will remain with me always, as will the vision of the few random tufts of frizzy hair poking through Whitney’s hair net. “Is there anything real about you, Whitney? Fake tits, fake hair, fake life. You’re such a whore!” Iris screamed. That would be about the time Whitney began wailing, refusing to be taken outside without her wig.
“Hey, what’s so funny?” Brent pulls me from the amusing and gratifying images.
“It’s nothing, just remembering the evening’s events. I never knew Iris had that in her.”
“It’s the little ones you have to keep an eye on,” he says with a wink that melts my heart. “Here we are.” Brent announces five minutes later as he pulls into his old spot on the driveway.
“That went fast.” Disappointment rushes back with full force. Invite him in, the voice in my head repeats, but when I glance over at him, I lose my nerve. “Okay, thanks for the lift.”
“No problem, Mal.” Pulling the lever, I open the door. “Bye.”
As soon as my foot hits the pavement, I hear Brent call, “Hey, Mallory. Wait just a sec so I can walk you to the door.”
“No need.” It takes just a few seconds for Brent to round the hood of his car. He presses his hand to the middle of my back to edge me forward, and I shoot him a shy smile. “Brent, I’m fine. You really don’t have to walk me up.”
Brent’s face grows serious. “Quit giving me a hard time. I want to, okay?” I relent, moving forward once again.
Only a small lamp in the hallway is lit when I unlock the front door. “Brent, you wouldn’t want to come in for some coffee, would you?” That’s the bravest I’ve been all night with him.
He looks unsure, but after a couple of moments he responds. “Sure. Okay. Thanks, Mallory.”
He steps in behind me, and I close the door. “It’s really late, so I’m just going to check on the kids.”
“Okay, I’ll start the coffee.”
“That would be great. Meet you in the kitchen?” Brent nods, walking away.
I pad up the stairs and reach the twins’ room first. Poking my head inside, I grow concerned when I notice their beds are empty. Grace. They must be with Grace. Hurrying to her room, I see she’s asleep, but alone. Now my stomach really starts to churn. I run to Natalie’s room, fling open the door in my panic, and the vision stops me in my tracks. “What’s wrong?” Brent says from behind me. “I heard you running.”
“Shhh, it’s okay.” Brent meets me by Natalie’s door. “The twins weren’t in their beds, and I panicked, but look.”
Together we peek inside her room to see David snuggling closer to Natalie. She, in turn, tightens her grip around both the boys who are cuddled into either side of her. “Looks like a lot has changed since I’ve been gone.” There’s a sadness in Brent’s voice that makes me want to reassure him.
We step back into the hall, and I gently close her door. “If there is a good thing to come out of our split, it’s Natalie. She’s really grown up.”
/> “Looks to me like there are quite a few good things. It’s pretty obvious that you are the happiest you’ve been in years.” Is that bitterness I sense in his tone?
“Me?” I’m taken aback by his assumption. Yes, my waist shrank a little, and with it came the swift kick to my backside I needed to work on myself, but happy? I’m content enough to carry on, but without Brent, I can’t imagine I’ll ever truly be happy again. He can’t know that, though. “I was thinking the same thing about you.”
Brent sighs, shaking his head. “Come on. The kids are okay, so let’s grab our coffees.” Silently we make our way downstairs. Brent pulls out a chair at the kitchen table, and I take a seat. He places our mugs on the table before joining me.
He takes a few slow sips, and the mounting tension begins to get at me. I’m at a loss for what to say to break the silence. Thankfully though, it’s Brent who speaks first. “I’m really sorry, Mal.”
“For what?”
“For inviting Whitney to the bar tonight. Nate warned me I was being an idiot.”
“He did? I wondered why he didn’t step in,” I say my thoughts out loud.
“I’m sure it’s because he thought I got exactly what I deserved.” I nod, and then we’re back to silence for a few moments, while I ponder his admission.
“Why did you do it?”
“What? Invite Whitney?” I nod.
“Seeing Colt, his hands and eyes roaming all over you. I’m not proud of my actions, but it pissed me off. I know it shouldn’t, but when it comes to that guy, I don’t know, he just gets to me. He’s got snake written all over him.” I’m stunned silent by the seriousness of his tone. I take a sip of my now tepid coffee, then stifle a yawn. Brent sighs. “It’s really late, so I’ll let you get to bed.” Brent stands, and I stand with him, suddenly growing nervous.
“Brent, you’re right. It’s really late, so you are welcome to sleep in one of the twins’ beds if you’d like.”
“Thanks, Mal. I appreciate it, but I should get back to the hotel. I have to pack my stuff before coming to get the kids later for our flight.” I try to not take the rejection personally because what he says makes sense.
“Okay, thanks again for the ride.”
“Of course, Mal.” Brent leans down and places a kiss to the top of my head. He’s close enough for me to smell him, feel him, need him. I’ve missed him so much.
“Make sure you lock up behind me.” He directs over his shoulder before opening the front door.
“Sure will.” With a quick wave and one more of his killer smiles, he closes the door behind him.
***
I’m woken the next morning by a set of rambunctious twins bouncing on my bed. Although, I am fully aware the pounding in my head is likely due to the large quantity of Tail Spins consumed last night, it’s easier to blame it on my energetic children.
“Boys, can we please take it down a notch?”
“But Mommy, we’re going on vacation with Daddy today,” Troy shouts while posing like Superman. David giggles with excitement.
I grip the sides of my head, hoping it’ll stop the room from rotating. It doesn’t. I sure thought the hangover wouldn’t even be an issue after all the time I had to sober up at the police station and later at home. What in the hell was in those drinks? Slowly, I pull myself upright which intensifies the pain radiating in my skull. “Come on, boys. We need to fix you something to eat before you leave.”
“We want Lucky Charms!” David cheers as they run from the room. Splashing some cold water on my face doesn’t help any, so I give up and make my way downstairs. I could kiss Natalie when I see she’s already making the twins’ breakfast.
“You okay, Mom?” Natalie asks when she looks up.
“Yep, peachy.” Walking over to the cabinet, I pull down a bottle of anti-inflammatory pills and pop two hoping they will help before my head quite possibly explodes.
A knock sounds at the door. “I’ll get it,” Natalie cheerfully shouts, making me wince.
I’m relieved at first, but then I’m thrown into a panic. Brent’s due here! My hair’s not brushed, last night’s make up is still crusted on my face, and I have the mother of all hangovers. To top it off, I’m in my fluffy pink robe. Wait, what in the hell is all of this nervousness about? The man has watched me squeeze out four children, and now I’m worried about him seeing me in my robe? Get a grip, Mallory.
“Mom, Aunt Iris is here!” Natalie shouts, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
Seconds later, they walk in together. Iris, looking pale and moving at a turtle’s pace, wears the largest pair of sunglasses I’ve ever seen. “Mallory, please tell your unusually chirpy daughter to rein it in a little, if possible. I’m feeling a very delicate.”
“Serves you right, Iris,” Howard reprimands his wife. I’m startled because I had no idea he was even here.
“Wow, Mal, you look as bad as Iris this morning.”
Nat giggles. I do not find anything amusing about his comment. “Thanks, Howard. That’s very kind of you to point out.”
“He’s in a great mood today.”
“Well, Iris, that’s what happens when someone gets an early-morning phone call from his desperate wife pleading for him to spring her from jail.”
“Jail! Mom, you were with her? Did you go to jail, too?” Natalie screeches, looking and sounding a little proud. “What happened?”
“Nat, please, go and pack your belongings.”
“No way.” Natalie leans against the fridge, folds her arms, and grins. “I need to hear this.”
“You’re going to hear nothing. Room. Now!” She huffs and walks off mumbling something I can’t make out. Probably lucky for her that I can’t.
“So, I don’t need to ask how you’re feeling.” Iris pulls up a chair and sits down.
“Nope, about as good as you, I think.” I join her.
“I’ve tried all sorts of things today to lose this hangover, even a miracle cure I researched.”
“What was it? Did it help? I think I’d give anything a go right now.”
She ticks off the list on her fingers. “Coconut water, banana, almonds, ginger, oatmeal, gelatin, and honey. Surprisingly, it’s disgusting.”
“Okay, then. I’ll pass.” I shudder at the idea of drinking oatmeal and gelatin.
“I thought you’d say that. Here.” Iris offers one of the coffees she’s been holding. Gladly, I take it.
“Mom!” Grace shouts, and Iris and I cringe. “I can’t find my make-up.”
“I’ve not seen it, Grace.”
“I drawed with it,” proudly announces Troy, bringing up his breakfast bowl, and placing it by the sink.
Grace spins around to face him. “What do you mean you drawed with it!” she hollers.
“Mallory, please, your kids are killing me today.” Slowly, I nod. “Howard, can you watch the kids? I’m going to help Mallory pack the boys’ clothes.”
Howard rolls his eyes. “Anything for you, my love.” Iris blows him a kiss, and we head up the stairs.
Once in the boys’ room, I pull a suitcase from the closet and place it on the bed. Iris reclines on the bed that’s free. “I thought you were helping?”
“You look like you can cope.” She grins and moves her glasses to the top of her head.
“Shit, Iris! Did Whitney do that?”
“What, this?” Iris gestures to her swollen eye that is a vibrant shade of purple. “She got a lucky punch in, that’s all.” Even though it makes my head feel as if I have a jack hammer going off inside my skull, I laugh. Iris chooses to ignore me. “So, what happened with Brent? He obviously didn’t stay the night.”
“Of course he didn’t.”
“You asked him though, right?” I nod. “I knew it! But he didn’t take you up on the offer?” She sounds as disappointed and as confused as I feel.
“No, he needed to go home.”
Iris sits up. “Mal, you’ve not said much, but I can tell that you still love him, don’t
you?”
“Of course I do, Iris, but he’s happy without me.”
“Are you positive about that? I can’t say I am.”
“Oh, I’m sure. He told me so himself last night. Plus, I see it in his eyes. It’s this bright light that shines.” I zone out temporarily as I visualize it. Back to reality, my voice is once again sad. “It hasn’t shined in a very long time, Iris. The night in the hotel room, when I heard him confess how unhappy he’s been to Whitney, it crushed me. I can’t live with myself knowing I am the one doing that to him. The one holding him back. The one dulling his passion, his desire, his spirit.” I push the unwanted emotion back down and open a drawer to pull out some shorts.
“So, you’re just going to let him take the kids this week, and what? You’re just going to stay here, on your own?”
“Of course. What else am I supposed to do? I can tell you this, I won’t be going to Maverick’s, so don’t even think about it.”
“Mallory, you are the most stubborn person I know.”
“I’m not being stubborn, Iris. Brent is all I’ve ever wanted, and all I ever needed. He still is, but I’m not enough for him. His passion is and has always been football, and the notoriety and fame that accompany being good at it. He never found that balance to where it included me, so I need to let him go. He needs to be happy, Iris. He deserves it.”
“I think you should tell him,” Iris encourages.
“What? That I love him, and will always love him? No, Iris. That’s the thing. I love him enough to let him go.”
“I think you’re wrong.”
“I didn’t ask you,” I say, raising my brows. Iris knows there is no budging me on the issue, so once I’m finished packing, I get changed after Howard and Iris leave.
When I enter the living room a little while later, I’m shocked to see Brent sitting on the sofa, bobbing a twin on each knee. “Hey, how’s the head? Nat said you’re having a rough morning.”
“Nat has a big mouth.” I give her a look, and she gives a sly smile. “I’m better, thanks.”
“Is this everything?” He gestures to the pile of suitcases stacked by the door.
The Broken Road to Forever Page 23
