Page 109 of Missing Pieces (Men of Manhattan 3)

Tyler

Saturday

She was better off without me. I already knew that. It didn't make it any easier to drive away, though. I couldn't seem to focus on the road. I felt lost. Maybe it was because I had nowhere to go. I pulled over to the side of t

he road and put my forehead against the steering wheel. All I wanted was Hailey. So now what?

I needed someone to tell me I was doing the right thing by driving away. I just wanted her to be happy. But all I really wanted to do was turn around and burst into her office again. She was hurting. She was in so much pain. And I had caused some of it. It killed me.

My phone started ringing. For a second I let myself think it was Hailey. But I hadn't left her my number. The caller ID said that it was my mom. Maybe a familiar voice would make me feel better. I swiped my finger across the screen. "Hey, Mom."

"Hi, sweetie. It's so good to hear your voice. How is training going?"

I had been so preoccupied by getting to Hailey as quickly as possible that I completely forgot to tell my mom the news. "Actually, I'm not joining after all."

She exhaled loudly. "Thank heavens."

I laughed. "I thought you might be excited."

"I'm ecstatic! How did you get out of it? I thought you said you couldn't change your mind?"

"It's kind of a long story."

"I have time."

I looked out the windshield. "Actually, Mom, I'm coming home for a visit." It had been far too long since I had seen her.

"When will you get here? Your bed is already made up."

I smiled. Some things never changed. "I can be there by tomorrow night."

"Perfect. That'll give me some time to go grocery shopping. Will you be here in time for dinner?"

"Probably later than that."

"Dessert then. I'll make you those brownies with pecans you love so much. I should go start getting everything ready. I'll see you soon, sweetheart. I love you."

"I love you too, Mom."

That did make me feel better. I still had people I could rely on. I didn't have to go back to my old life. I couldn't. Either way, this was going to be a fresh start. I pressed on Josh's name in my phone and put it to my ear.

After a few rings he picked up.

"Does that job offer still stand?"

"Yeah. But I thought..."

"Change of plans."

He laughed. "How the hell did you get out of the marines? Are you on the run from the government now?"

"No, nothing like that. I just got incredibly lucky." The marines weren't for me. I wasn't my grandfather. I wasn't my dad. I was me. And maybe that was enough. "It was a mistake to sign up in the first place."

"You're telling me. You're not exactly combat ready."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You're too soft."

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