Hearing my name being called, I look up. “Garret? Garret James?” I grin at him and stand to say hello. “Wow. I had no idea that you even still lived around here and a police officer at that. Look at you looking all handsome in your uniform.”
“You look. Wow.” He pulls me in for a full-frontal hug that would give most people the wrong impression but we go way back.
I move away and look around. Amber works somewhere in the hospital. That would be my luck for her to see me right now. “How are you?”
His blue eyes soften. He looks just as I remember dark hair and a muscular build. “I’m good. My day just got a whole lot better now that I’ve bumped into you.”
My cheeks bloom pink. “Garret.”
“Humor me for a minute. I haven't seen you since that day you called me for a ride from the clinic. How’d things work out for you after? I always wondered. You know I always had the hots for you, I wanted to ask you out but never had the chance.”
“Garret…I’m married.”
His thumb goes under my chin and he tilts my face up. “That’s too bad.”
I turn my head away. This is highly inappropriate even if I’m not happy in my marriage.
“Who’s the lucky guy?”
“Justin Arwood.”
His brows kink up. “Didn’t you date his brother? That’s the guy you had the abortion by, right?”
I shrug and before I can say anything else my Mom exits the clinic. “That doctor was a quack.” She’s shaking her head and mumbling.
“I gotta go,” I tell Garret.
He reaches into his pocket and hands me a card. “Call me. I’d like to continue this conversation. I know your husband is a Devils Reject. I want you to know you can trust me. I’m here for you. I can help you, Stephanie. I’d like to talk to you privately, off the record of course.”
“Sure.” I offer him a friendly smile and wave goodbye; his words have left me feeling uneasy.
When I get to the car my mother is eyeing me. “Now that’s the kind of guy you should have married.”
“Don’t, Mom. We’ve been through this a million times. I married Justin.”
“It’s your life,” she tells me like she is one to talk when she hasn’t gone on a date in like thirty years.
I drop my Mom back at her house and head home. Normally, we’d go out shopping and for coffee or dinner. However, her comments about marrying the wrong man have pissed me off. She’s put me in a sour mood. I tried talking to her about what the doctor said but she blew me off and said she didn't want to discuss it with me right now. I told her that was fine by me and she slammed her door, a little too hard, when she got out. Mom doesn't approve of Justin because of who he was growing up. He was dirt poor and when we got married I bought our house with the money I collected from the insurance settlement when my father passed away. Money that she thought I should have used for college. I get that she didn't approve of my choices back then, but it is all in the past. She needs to let it go.
I’m sure Justin will be calling soon after his meeting with Tiny. Going through the fridge and the cabinets, I really don’t feel like cooking tonight. Running into Garret, him bringing up my abortion—it has me wondering what my life would be like had things been different back then. What if he had asked me out and I married him or a guy like him instead? Would I have had children? Gone to college and had a career? What would have happened to Justin? Would he have carried out his plan? Would he still be in the club now or would he be off somewhere raising a family? The one he dreams of having someday?
I glance at the clock and Justin should have called me by now. It’s dark and I’m lonely. The card Garret gave me is in my purse, taunting me. I pull it out and study it. It’s a blank card with his phone number written on it. Did he mean what he said, that he can help me? I think about how unhappy I am. How miserable I make Justin…he’s never going to let me walk away. He’ll kill me first with the secrets I keep for him. The thoughts keep running through my mind and I do something stupid, knowing it will change everything, but change is exactly what I need. Change and protection. Grabbing my cell phone off the table I call Garret. He answers on the third ring. “Officer James.”
“Hi. Garret. It’s me…Stephanie.” I coil a strand of hair around my finger feeling nervous yet excited.
“I was hoping I’d hear from you. I’m glad you called me.”
“I know it’s soon, but can we meet…tonight.”
“Your place or mine?” I can hear the smile in his voice.
“Um…neither. You know that motel right before you get into town. Meet me there. I’ll text you the room number.”
“I’ll be there.”
“See you soon.” I end the call on a shaky breath and get into my car before I can change my mind. I make it to the motel and park around back to hide my car. I sent Justin a text and told him I was staying at my mother’s tonight after her appointment didn’t go well. I know he won’t check up on me there he never does. He hates my Mom and avoids her at all costs.
I don’t even know what I am doing here. All I know is I can’t continue on the way that I have been. I go around to the office and rent a room for the night. I text the room number to Garret and my stomach feels tight. I am only in the room maybe ten minutes when he knocks on the door. I undo the lock and open the door. I see he is no longer dressed in his uniform. I hesitate to let him in but realize I need to get him all the way inside before anyone from the club sees us. He’s dressed in a blue plaid button-down shirt that matches his eyes and khaki pants.