Tug (Irreparable 3)

“You can tell me it’s none of my business if you want, but if you

r baby were Tug’s, would you be with him?”

“Honestly, I don’t think so. I adore Tug, but we made a mistake. I wish I could take it back because it’s caused such a rift between us, but I can’t, just like you can’t change what you used to do for a living. Sometimes we make choices we regret, and I’m thankful Tug’s still in my life, but I don’t have any romantic feelings for him. If this baby was his, I’d still be with Brady.”

“Thank you for answering and I’m sorry for being nosy. I guess I’m a little insecure with how Tug feels about you.”

“I completely understand and I would probably feel the same way, but I know he likes you. It’s nice to have the old Tug back and I would like for you and I to be good friends.”

“You would?”

“Absolutely.”

Her words are so sure, and I love the thought of us being good friends. I’ve never had a girlfriend I trusted and was close with.

With my hands fisted at my sides, I climb the stairs to Del’s apartment and pray I won’t find Harrison inside. Of course, my praying is pointless, since his car is in the parking lot. I pound my fists on the door. “Harrison, get your pathetic ass out here.”

I hear voices, but the door doesn’t open. “You better open this muthafuckin’ door, Del. I’m not playing, Harrison. You get your ass out here.”

Still nothing, and now my rage boils over. He wants to play games, I’ll play. I stomp loudly down the stairs and pull my keys from my pocket. I won’t be the one to tell Liv. He may be too big a coward to say the words out loud, but he is going to tell her.

I reach his Jetta and smile. The noise the key makes as I write grates my skin, but I keep writing. It takes longer than I thought it would to finish as the key keeps sticking in the paint. I stand back to admire my handiwork.

LIV, I CHEATED ON YOU AND I COULDN’T TELL YOU BECAUSE I’M A PUSSY!

Marring the hood isn’t enough. I scratch out CHEATER on both sides, and DICKLESS WONDER across the back.

Perfect, I think, as I sit in my car. Driving away while I watch Harrison in my rearview mirror in his boxers, staring at his car with his fingers fisted in his hair, feels quite gratifying.

When I enter the kitchen, Maria sends me a look of concern. I slip my arm around her waist and kiss the side of her head.

She smiles and asks, “Del texted me. Are you okay?”

I pull her hand and take her outside to the front yard, where we won’t be overheard. We sit on the grass. I pull at the blades nervously. “I found him there when I picked up Javier. Harrison is who Del was entertaining.”

“Why didn’t you tell Liv?”

“I wanted Harrison to do it.”

“Because you don’t want to hurt her.”

“Yes. Why should he fuck up and I have to be the one to break her heart?”

She interlocks our fingers, her touch soothing. “She’d forgive you.”

“Maybe, but now he has to tell her.”

“It might be easier coming from you.”

“I can’t. This is going to kill her.”

“Okay, it’s your choice.”

Liv storms out of the front door. “Tug, can you take to me to pick up Harrison?”

“What? Why?”

“He went out for ice, and got in a car accident. The asshole who hit him didn’t even stop. He had his car towed but needs a ride back, and I’ve been drinking.”