Page 81 of Tattered Souls
Harlee – Should I warn Garrick
Me – No. Why would you think that?
Harlee – It’s Garrick
Me – Should I tell Harlee about the woman who they hired at Gushers who left her phone number on your napkin?
Harlee – I’m shutting up now
I giggled, then I took in a breath, looked out the window at the sink, and saw that Garrick was still working on his motorcycle.
Then I pulled up Misty’s number and pressed dial.
It rang four times before she said, hesitantly, “Hello?”
“Hi, Misty, it’s Tatum. I hope that it’s alright I have your number. I texted Harlee for it, but Carter texted me back.”
“Tatum? Dear lord, sweet girl, I don’t need an explanation from you. And I am sorry for not making sure you had my number.”
“Tatum? She doesn’t have your number? Means she doesn’t have mine. Text it to her,” I heard Frank say.
I smiled down at my black polish that covered my toenails. “Oh, it’s totally fine. Promise. I just wanted you to know how I got it.”
Misty chuckled, “It’s fine, sweet girl. How are you?”
I grinned. “I’m good. Really good.”
I knew she could hear the smile in my voice, because she said, “Good,” with her own smile.
“I wanted to ask you if it would be okay if we hosted a family dinner night here? I know Harlee does it, and well, I’ve never hosted anything like this, and... well... y’all have welcomed me into your family in such a way that, if I woke up tomorrow, and had no memory, I would be totally and completely lost.”
She was silent for a moment, and then I heard her sniffle, followed by Frank, “Oh damn. I hate it when you get teary-eyed.”
“Oh, hush. It’s good.” Misty chastised Frank. Then to me she said, “Yes, sweetie, I would love that.”
I smiled as I hit the end button and then looked up and saw Garrick standing there leaning against the doorway to the garage.
He winked at me, “Ever think about running this through me first?”
I started to wince, but Garrick was Garrick.
My one true safe place.
Therefore, I smiled and shook my head.
He lifted a brow, “How come?”
“Because you told me that if you ever asked me that again, I was to tell you to go fuck yourself.”
I waited a beat and then I smiled sweetly and said, “Go fuck yourself.”
Garrick tossed his head back and laughed.
***
“Umm, did Christmas come early?” Everly asked, as they all took in the Christmas décor in the house.
I felt Garrick move, and then he was right there.
