Page 62 of Deception and New Direction

Men were so weird.Hewent from angry and territorial one minute to laughing and smiling the next.Ineeded to get out of the office and away fromJackfor a bit, soIdecided to run to the bookstore down the street really quick and pick up some booksIhad ordered beforeImet the girls at the pub for happy hour.

I sent a message up to the guys to let them knowIwas headed out about twenty minutes early.Wedidn’t have any more appointments scheduled for the day, butIwanted them to know that no one would be manning the door or phones.ArcherandDanegave a thumbs-up, soIgrabbed the keys to the company car and made my way out.

DoctorFosterhad told meIwas permitted to drive if needed, andIhad been good up to this point, butIneeded this time to get away, soItook it.

Forty minutes later,Ifinally made it back to the pub and joinedCatat the bar.EllieandTammywere both working behind the bar and came over to say hi whenIsat down, whichIreciprocated before letting out a big sigh and thunking my head on the bar top.

“What’s wrong?”Ellieasked.

“Hypothetically speaking,”Isaid before lifting my head up. “Ifsomeone were to get a ticket from a cop, do you think they would tellArchersince he’s my boss?”

“I don’t think that’s legal to tell your employer if you get a speeding ticket,”Catresponded.

“Well, what if it was a bit more than just a simple speeding ticket and it was in a company car?”Iasked hesitantly.

“Oh, this is gonna be good.Holdon.Chet,Igotta hear this story, and thenI’llbring your beer,”Tammyyelled across the bar then turned to me. “Spill, girl.”

“I got a little excited getting my car freedom back soIdrove to the new bookstore onPeachtreeCanyonBlvdand was jamming to my favoriteUshersong,”Istarted to explain. “IguessIwas really into the song, because whenIwas sliding in to parallel park,Iaccidentally backed into the car behind me.”

“Oh shit,”Elliesaid. “Wasit bad?”

“No.Thedamage was only a couple scrapes to my car.Theother cars were fine.”

“Cars.Asin plural?”Catasked, her eyebrows lifted all the way up to her hairline.

“Well, whenIbacked into the other car,Ifreaked out and pulled forward, which caused me to slightly bump into the car in front of me.”

Tammy cackled. “Yeah,Archeris definitely gonna find out about that.”

“In my defense, the cars were parked really close together.AndIloveUsherand was really caught up in the moment when the song started playing in my car,”Igrumbled defensively.

“I’m starting to thinkArcherwas right about your driving skills,”Elliesaid while laughing.

“Thanks for the good laugh,Ineeded that,”Tammysaid. “I’llbe back.I’vegot some plans, andValandIhave decided on a few things, so onceIget my breakI’llcome over and fill all three of you in on them.”Tammywalked away, rubbing her hands together as if she had plotted the greatest thing in the world.

Ellie sighed loudly. “I’mgetting nervous about what those two have planned.”

We assured her we would make sure it didn’t get too out of control, and then we ordered several appetizers to share while we chatted some more about wedding plans.

“God,Ineeded this so bad,”Catsaid beside me as she shoved a handful of loaded fries into her mouth.

“Is everything okay?”Iasked her.

“Even thoughIwasn’t injured that badly with what happened back inDecember,Vinceis still on me to eat healthy and take it easy whileIrecover,”Catsaid, using air quotes for the last word.“Hemade me one of those chocolate protein health shakes—the kind that tastes like plain oatmeal, cardboard, and a spoonful of regret.”

Ellie andIboth chuckled at her description.

“SoRuthie, how’s living with my brother treating you?”Ellieasked me as she took a seat next to me now that her shift was done.

I had wanted to ask her—andCat— about some things but hadn’t been sure of how to do it.Thisseemed to be a good segue, soItook it.

“It’s fine.Wehaven’t killed each other yet, thoughIdefinitely feel likeI’mwearing out my welcome.”

“Has he said something to you about moving out?”Ellieasked, looking almost offended her brother would do that.

“No, of course not,”Iexplained. “Ijust feel likeIdon’t need to be there anymore because my mobility is much better now, plusI’llbe getting this boot off next week—hopefully.”

“Girl,Iunderstand your need for independence and that’s important.”Tammygrinned as she walked back over to us. “ButifIhad a man willing to let me live with him temporarily thereby making my life easier, and giving it to me on the regular whileIwas there—and he was damn good at giving it to me—Iwould take my time leaving.”

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