Page 113 of Between Regrets and Promises

“It’s bullshit is what it is,” he says.

“I agree. But there’s not much I can do until they file with the courts or serve me papers.”

“Dude, if they try to sue you, I’m gonna be outraged. You let me know if you hear from them because I’ll do whatever you need, okay?”

“Yeah, thanks, man. Appreciate that.”

“Alright, so tell me what you need. I’m not in my office, but I can be there in a few hours. Izzy has a dance recital this afternoon, so once that’s done, I can head over.”

“That’d be great. The name is Caleb Royce. I took a picture of his license plate and will send it over to you. Send me whatever you can find. Criminal record, work history, address.”

“Got it. Do I dare ask why?” He chuckles.

“It’s a guy in Sophie’s grieving circle, and he’s…I don’t know, I get a weird vibe. He says he’s grieving his late wife who died a few months ago, but by the way he looks at Sophie, I don’t think he’s grieving a damn thing. In fact, he gives me the impression he stalks women at these meetings or something.”

“Like he takes advantage of their sadness and swoops in?” he asks.

“Yeah, I think. Hell, I don’t know. I might be wrong, but I’d feel better knowing for sure that his story isn’t complete bullshit. If his wife died, she’d have a death certificate by now.”

“Any chance you know her name?”

“No, and I don’t think I can ask Sophie without her being suspicious.”

“I’ll check it out. Look up the last name and see what I can find. See where his plates lead me,” he confirms, and I release a relieved breath.

“Thanks, Jerad. I appreciate it. I owe ya one.”

“You owe me big time already.” He snorts.

“Yeah, yeah.” I laugh. “Add it to my tab then.”

After we hang up, I take a shower and get ready. I plan to take us out to eat, then putt-putt, and then we’ll end the night at the Coliseum where we first met and dance, hopefully giving her some new memories of that place. It’s nothing flashy like an exclusive yacht tour or anything, but spending time anywhere with Sophie is a blast. We’ll have fun as long as we’re together, and I think she feels the same way too.

“Well, aren’t you looking quite handsome…” I glare at Maddie, who’s eyeing me up and down. “Cologne, too?” She sniffs, wrinkling her nose. “Wow, you must really want to get into my sister’s pants. Oh wait, you’ve already done that.”

I bellow out a laugh. “Hi to you too, Mads.”

“Madelyn! I heard that!” Sophie yells from the living room.

“Now you’re in trouble,” I tease, walking past her.

Maddie groans, lifting her arms up, then slapping them back down. “Oh, what else is new. You should be thanking me, mister.”

“Is that so?” I ask as she follows me into my room.

“Your bedroom is clean.” She pokes her head inside.

“Yeah? And?” I ask, digging into my dresser drawer for some black socks.

“I don’t know. It’s weird. Aren’t most guys’ rooms messy and gross?”

“That’d be the next room on the right.”

“Oh hell no. I already know Liam is a pig. I can smell it from the front door.” She leans against the doorframe with her arms crossed.

“Well, it’s mostly messy. He comes home from trips, throws his dirty clothes into one pile, and then packs a new bag without doing his laundry right away.”

“Well, considering he has to go shopping to buy new clothes on the road, I’d be surprised if he ever did laundry!”

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