Chapter 38
Kate
Iwatchthebags pass on the conveyor belt in baggage claim. I knew I shouldn’t have checked a bag. With such a quick trip, I should have shoved everything in my carry-on. You live and you learn.
Getting away was just what I needed. I may have put distance between Jaxon and me, but he was never far from my mind. But by going on this trip, I got to speak with the client’s wife, and she commissioned a dozen more pieces to fill the new building their media company had just purchased. She also said she was going to pass my information to all of her friends, too.
Finally.I sigh and grab my bag from the belt. I make my way out of the terminal to meet my sister.
I let out a loud laugh, scaring the people walking beside me, when I find Lauren standing there holding a sign that reads, “Welcome home from prison, Kate!” Written in large glittery letters, there is definitely no missing this sign. I watch people turn their heads as they pass, reading it and following her line of sight, landing directly on me. It takes a lot for me to be embarrassed, and yep, I can feel my cheeks heat. Well played, Reynolds.
Lauren’s playful smile only makes me laugh harder. I didn’t think it could get any worse, and then she flips the sign over where it reads, “We knew you didn’t kill and eat those people. You’re a vegetarian.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.I let out a frustrated little groan at her shenanigans, dropping my head back. I will definitely need an amazing form of payback.
After an enthusiastic, happy dance, she drops the sign to her sign and makes a show of closing the distance between us. She runs to hug me as if it had years since she last saw me and not just a few days.
“Ahh, I’m so glad to hug you finally. I’m sorry—they never should have convicted you, even if the evidence was plain as day. I knew you didn’t do it.” Her volume is about three decibels higher than normal.
She sways us side to side with her overdramatic hug. “Really playing this whole thing up, huh?” I laugh, welcoming her embrace.
“You bet your ass I am,” she laughs as she pulls back. “Now, what do you say we get you home?”
She leads us to the parking garage with eyes on us the whole way. One woman even pulled her son closer to her as we passed. I’m going to kill you, Laur. After refusing my money to cover the fee for the garage, she pays the attendant, and we are on our way.
I pull my aviators down over my eyes as Lauren maneuvers her way onto the highway.
“Umm, Laur, did you forget where I live?” I interrupt our singing performance when she passes the exit to my house.
She giggles and turns the music down a notch. “Oh shit, sorry. No, I didn’t forget,” she retorts. “But I did forget that I need to make a stop.”
“You forgot till now?”
She shrugs. “Yeah, sorry. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Well, since I’m in the passenger seat of your vehicle and you already passed my exit, I think it’s safe to say I don’t really have a choice in the matter now, do I?”
“Nope,” she says with a loud popping noise. She winks and turns the music back up, letting Walker Hayes fill the vehicle and focus back on the road.
I sink back into my seat, feeling a little like a hostage, and prop my elbow on the window as my sister taps the steering wheel to the beat.
I should have just taken an Uber home, but I guess I can’t complain about the slight detour. The town passes by as I stare out the window. Further and further away from home. Further and further away from Jaxon.
I waited with bated breath for a response that never came. I guess I shouldn’t really have expected one. This isn’t a conversation to have over text. But the longer the silence went on, the more the anxieties circled in my mind.
What if this wasn’t what he wanted?
What if he realized that the need to father more children was more important than the need to be with me?
I also wondered if Sidney had given Andy the book I made. I hope she did and that he loved it. I wish I could have seen his smiling face as he went through each page and recalled our memories together.
Lauren veers off the exit ramp and turns right, heading into downtown.
She pulls in front of a brick building. Where the fuck are we?
“Should I be concerned? What is this place? Was there some sort of truth to your ridiculous sign?”
She giggles as she turns the car off and unbuckles her seat belt. “No, it’s totally fine. I just have to run inside real fast.”
I don’t know what this place is and why we’re here. I don’t see a sign with the name or anything.
“Okay, whatever. I’m just gonna wait here.” I pull my phone from my bag.
“All right, I’ll just be a minute. Here are the keys.” She drops them in the cup holder beside me, and I nod as she gets out of the car.
While I wait, I decide to cyber stalk my sister-in-law’s Instagram to see the latest photos of the twins. I’ll call them later and see if I can stop by for some baby snuggles soon. I’ve missed them so much.
Fifteen minutes later, I realize my sister still hasn’t returned. What the hell, Lauren? I shoot her a text.
Me: Just checking in….
Me: Are you okay?