37. Say Yes
THIRTY-SEVEN
SAY YES
Rylee
Where is he? He was supposed to be here an hour ago. It isn’t like him to be this late. I check the clock again. I’ve sent him a couple of messages, but they’ve all gone unanswered. What if something happened? I pull out my phone and I’m about to call instead of text, when my phone vibrates and his name flashes at the top of the screen. I blow out a sigh of relief and press the green talk button.
“Where are you? I was getting worried.”
“Uh. About that…”
“What? What happened?”
“I’ll explain everything, but first I need you to pick me up at the jail.”
“What? Oh my god! What happened?”
“I’ll explain when you get here.”
“Okay. I’m on my way.” The call disconnects and I speed wobble to the other side of the room. With my phone in one hand, I dial Marcie while blindly shoving my foot into a shoe.
“Why are you call—”
“I need you to come watch Abby. I’ll explain later.” I spit the words out in one breath.
“Oh. Okay. I’ll be right there.”
Luckily, Marcie doesn’t ask questions. By my tone, I suspect she understands the urgency. When I hang up, I poke my head in to Abby's room, my heart pounding. She’s sitting on her bed coloring in one of her many coloring books. “I need to leave for a little bit. Marcie’s coming over to watch you. I’ll be right back, okay?”
She lifts her head, taking her eyes off her coloring book. “Um. Okay.” Her gaze drops back to the picture.
I close her door but leave it open a crack. By the time I’m back in the kitchen, the front door flies open, and Marcie is wearing a head wrap and bathrobe.
“Sorry to have disturbed your evening. But thank you. I really appreciate this.” I throw a light sweater over my shoulders.
“No problem. Now get out of my way. I need to see who gets the last rose. It better not be Tonya.” She storms past me and into the living room. Immediately she’s flipping on the television to find her show.
“Abby’s in her room. I’ll be back soon!” I yell through the crack in the door before it clicks closed behind me.
Ten minutes later, I’m parking in front of the jail. I slam my car door and race inside the building. Off to the side, Trey jumps to his feet and meets me in the middle of the reception area. Holy shit. His dark hair is disheveled. A tear in his shirt runs down his bicep.
“Oh my god. What happened to you?” I run my hand over the split fabric before wrapping my arms around his torso and squeezing.
His body stiffens as he sucks in a sharp breath. “Be careful. There are more wounds.”
I loosen my grip and peer up at him. “What happened?”
“I met your ex.”
“Kyle did this?”
“Yeah. But I think he got the brunt of it. Also, he's booked in a luxurious six by eight room for a little while longer. So, sucks to be him. Let’s go. I’ll tell you in the car.” He throws an arm over my shoulder, and I keep an arm wrapped around his hip.
Once we’re in my SUV I start the ignition. “Where am I taking you?”
“Actually, my car is at your place.”
“What the hell?”
On the entire car ride to my apartment, he fills me in on the confrontation with Kyle in the parking lot, how a fight broke out and then someone called the cops.
“Also, Kyle stabbed me.”
The car jerks to the right as my gaze flies to Trey. “He stabbed you?!”
“Eyes on the road. I was in the hospital once tonight. I don’t need to go back.” He scrubs a hand down his face. “But yeah. He stabbed me. Twice. Luckily, he’s shit aim.”
“Oh my god.” I press my fingers to my mouth in disbelief. People say their life flashes before their eyes when facing a life-or-death situation. Well, the same is true when you’re told someone you care about was in the same position. I reach across the center console to reassure myself that he’s really here with me. His fingers wrap around mine and squeezes, easing my fear. “In all the years I’ve known him, he never seemed like the type of guy to do something like this. Why’d he do it?”
“Apparently, it’s my fault Abby doesn’t want to see him.”
“What!” The car jerks again. “That narcissistic bastard!”
His hand splays out across the dashboard. “Maybe you should pull over and I’ll drive.”
“I’m sorry.” I blow out a quick breath. “I’m fine. It’s just all this has me in a tailspin.”
Trey reaches over the center console and grabs my hand, linking his fingers with mine. He’s the one who got into a fight and now he’s comforting me. Every day, he surprises me more and more.
“I can’t believe he’s blaming you for Abby not wanting to spend time with him. Maybe if he didn’t bail on her every damn time it’s his weekend, she’d want to see him. Apparently, nothing is his fault. If he’s done this, who knows what else he’s capable of.”
His thumb brushes over the back of my hand. “He was pretty drunk. I don’t think he would do this under normal circumstances.”
“Drunk or not, it’s not an excuse. Every time I go to my car, I’ll be looking over my shoulder. Normally, I’d be able to hold my own, but it’s not just me.”
Trey releases my hand and spreads his fingers over my growing belly. “I’ll make sure nothing happens to my girls and Acorn.”
If there’s anything that can distract me from all the chaos happening in my life, it’s Trey being sweet. So sweet that I want to veer the car to the shoulder and do what started this pregnancy in the first place.
Once we’re at my apartment, we fill in Marcie about what happened before she leaves. I poke my head in Abby’s room and she’s curled up on her bed. In the corner of her room, I grab a blanket and spread it over her.
Back in the living room, Trey’s sitting down on the couch, his head tilted toward the ceiling. His suit jacket drapes over the edge next to him. Bags droop under his normally full of life eyes.
I stop in front of him, straddling his knee, and cup his cheek. “I’m sorry this happened.”
“What do you have to be sorry for? You didn’t stab me.” The corner of his mouth tips up.
I rest my hands on his shoulders. “I know. But Kyle is my ex and this would have never happened if we weren’t involved.”
His head rolls to the side and he places a kiss to my wrist. “None of this is your fault. It’s all on him. Got it? Either way, I would fight until the end of the world for you.” He nudges me with his nose, softly running the tip up and down my arm.
Tears well up in the corners of my eyes. I’ve never had someone care this much for me. To fight for me. For once, I might not have to do this on my own. Not wanting to be vulnerable in front of Trey, I step away. “I think I have one of your shirts in my room. I may have borrowed it after our first date.”
While strolling to my bedroom, I brush away the tears that have now fallen. He’s been there every step of the way, never demanding more than what I can give him. It’s only fair I meet him halfway. I’m ready. After regaining my composure, I pull the thread bare Onyx Stone concert tee from a hanger in the closet. When I’m back in the living room, Trey stands, holding out his hand and I place the shirt in his open palm.
Starting at the neck, I pop the button through the hole. I’ve thought long and hard about this, but after tonight it’s a no brainer. I need to be willing to accept help, not just for me, but for Abby and our acorn. Deep down, I know Trey will do whatever it takes to ensure our safety.
“My answer is yes.” I work the next button through the hole and push.
Trey presses his hand against mine, halting my progress. “I’ve asked you a few questions recently. Which one are you saying yes to?”
I peer up at him. His steely gray eyes meeting mine. “Yes. We’ll move in with you. I can’t fathom the idea of Kyle possibly doing that again. He knows where I live. I’m sure if he tried, he could find out where you live too—”
“But I also have security cameras. It’ll be harder for him to hide.”
“Exactly, and you’re right. Abby needs somewhere to run around and play. Acorn can have their own room. This will be more than good.” I press my lips together, once again fighting back tears. “It will be the start of our new life together.”
“And the answer to my other question?”
“One thing at a time.” A smile plays on my lips. “But it’s still on the table.”
“That’s all I need to hear.”