Page 31 of Give Me Forever Love

“Yeah.” Lou flips a page. “She seems to be trying.”

“Do you think she’ll get through it this time?” I ask. I can’t stand for Bryce and Jace to be let down again by Mary. They’ve been dealing with her shit for too long.

“There’s no way to tell. With her we just have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”

“Yeah. Well, here’s hoping for the best. I’m going to go freshen up really quick.”

She nods and looks back down at her book. I jog up the stairs, quickly brushing my teeth and fixing my blouse and skirt before my hair and face. I run back down and walk over to my heels, slipping them back on. I grab my keys as the boys come back inside, laughing and filling the room with a sweet smoky aroma.

“I’m going to get Bryce,” I say. “Be back.”

“Drive safe,” Lee warns. I nod and head out the door.

While it should only take me twenty-five minutes to get to Fulton County Jail, it takes me nearly an hour. Atlanta traffic doesn’t give a shit if you’re in a hurry and it’s like they’re always working on the roads somewhere. By the time I pull up in the parking lot, anxiety cripples me.

I hate that I’ve kept him waiting any longer than he should. My palms are sweaty, my heart beating fast.

I can’t wait to touch him. I know it’s only been a few days, and we’ve been longer, but this time is different.

There’s no drama between us.

There are no secrets or misplaced trust.

I’m his and he’s mine and we no longer work without the other.

I park my car and check my reflection, wide eyes and flushed cheeks. My hair’s falling around my face, tickling my neck. I exhale and jump out of the car.

Walking across the parking lot, I look up at the building before me. My eyes go up the all red brick and to the back where an even taller building stands, holding hundreds of inmates.

I walk inside, the cool air brushing over my skin. Chairs with worn burgundy cushions line the walls, and a few people looking distraught occupy them. They make eye contact, but I advert their stares and walk up to the glass. Nerves crawl up my spine as the woman behind it looks at me like I’ve disrupted something very important. My eyes go to the TV on the other desk, screeningThe Bachelorette.

Inner me rolls her eyes.

“Can I help you?” the officer says, unenthused with me standing before her.

“Yes. I’m here to pick up Bryce Grant.”

She slides me a clipboard. “Sign in. He’ll be out in a minute.” I take the pen and sign my name.

Kathrine Harrison

Inner me has a thought.Kathrine Grant.

My heart skips a beat, I feel myself flush, and I try to hide my smile with a twist of my lips.

“We don’t see that around here,” the lady cop says, referring to my smile.

My eyes bounce up to her.

I clear my throat and shrug. She takes the clipboard with a knowing smile. “Have a seat, heart eyes.”

I do as she says, walking over and sitting down on the cracked leather chair. A TV is mounted in the corner and it plays the local news. There’s a snack machine below it, and a drink machine that hums beside the display of chips and candy. I sit up straight and place my clasped hands into my lap, wondering how long we have to sit here to watch TV and have a snack.

__________

My answer is an hour and forty-five fucking minutes. I’ve consumed two bags of chips, half a pack of M&Ms, and an Orange Fanta. I’ve watched two reruns ofThe King of Queensand scrolled through social media enough to last a week. I’ve also texted Jace and told him I was still here so they wouldn’t worry.

I see why none of these people look happy now.

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