Page 95 of Tattered Souls
Tatum
I looked at the guest list and felt as though it was missing something.
And then it hit me.
With a smile, I walked out of the house and to the garage.
Garrick saw me coming and winked. When I made it to him, I bent and pressed a kiss to the underside of his jaw and said, “Can I have your phone for a little while?”
He nodded, then he jerked his head. “It’s on the toolbox.”
I smiled, “Thank you, Honey.”
“That’s fifteen,” he murmured.
I smiled all the way into the house.
The moment I made it back to the table, I sat back down in my chair, entered Garrick’s passcode,728025, scrolled to the number I wanted, and pressed dial.
It rang three times, then I heard, “Garrick. This is a surprise. Normally, I get one text a year.”
I smiled. “Hi, sorry about that. You and I haven’t met, but I’d like to. I’m Tatum, Garrick’s fiancée.”
She was silent for a few moments. Then I heard a door closing. Then she said, “He told you.”
I swallowed and then softly whispered, “Yes.”
I heard her inhale a breath. “Think about that day. That night.”
I nodded, “I get that. Can I tell you something?”
I knew I had confused her when she said, “Sure.”
“I love him all the more for doing it. He doesn’t think I know, but he did the same thing for me. My ex was abusive.”
“Why do men think it’s okay to mistreat women?” she asked.
I shrugged, “I have no clue. The only thing I can think of is that they have small penis syndrome.”
She chuckled, “Yeah, sounds right.”
Then I asked, “You're happy?”
I heard her smile, “Yeah, more than I have a right to be.”
We talked for a few more minutes, then I said, “Anyway, the reason I’m calling is that I’m going over our guest list and felt like it was missing something. Then I knew. So, I called you. Would you and your husband like to come to our wedding?”
I heard it. The emotion in her voice, “Really?”
I smiled, “Yeah. That moment in his life shaped who he is today. And Portia, he’s the best man I’ve ever had the honor of knowing.”
“When is it?” she asked.
“July 28th. In three months.” I smiled. “It’s exactly on the date from two years ago when we met for the first time.”
“Okay, that’s sweet as hell. And yes. We would be honored.” She said.
I smiled, then I got her address, and asked her if it was okay if I saved her number. Once she readily agreed, we talked for a few minutes and then I hung up.
