38. Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Eight
SETH
I hated that I was getting off work later than I wanted to.
Violet, of course, understood that we had gotten a call that caused us to stay well past when our shift ended.
And since I had switched shifts with someone so I could go with her tomorrow to that fundraising dinner, we would have two nights together before I had to be back on shift on Sunday night.
Before I could dial her number to tell her I was getting ready to leave the station, my phone rang and Mason’s name flashed across the screen. It was kind of late for him to be calling and I worried something might be wrong.
I slid the answer button over. “Hey.”
“She left me.”
I could hear loud music playing in the background and wasn’t even sure if I heard him correctly. “What?”
“Shelby. She left, man. Gone.” His speech was a bit slurred, and I flinched.
Fuck, had he been drinking? “Where’s Dani?”
“She took her and went to stay at her parents’.” He let out a long breath. “Wants a divorce.”
My stomach bottomed out. Jesus. I knew they were struggling, but somehow, I never imagined this.
The talk I’d had with him earlier in the week suddenly hit differently.
Mason and Shelby’s relationship was the kind I’d always idolized.
Until recently they were always happy, and it was easy to see how much they loved each other.
In fact, until this last year, I wasn’t sure they ever fought.
Mason definitely never talked to me about it until recently.
Damn. If they couldn’t make it work, who could?
Was every relationship capable of failure? And what the hell did two people need to make it work? Because obviously loving each other wasn’t enough.
“Where are you?” I bit out.
Could I keep him on the phone while I made the almost two-hour drive back? I didn’t want him to get behind the wheel in his state. Fuck. Times like these I hated being so far from my family.
I climbed in the car and started the engine. Mason’s voice came through the speakers as he answered my question, telling me what bar he was at. I needed to let Violet know I wasn’t coming over tonight. I switched over to my text thread with her as I told Mason to stay put.
Me: Can’t come by tonight. Something came up and I need to head home.
Violet: Everything okay?
Me: I don’t know yet. I’ll fill you in later.
Violet: Are you still going to the fundraising dinner with me?
Shit . I’d forgotten about that for a minute. But I didn’t see a reason why I wouldn’t be able to make it back for it. I’d get Mason settled, get a couple hours of rest, then head…home?
Home . When did I start considering Half Moon Lake my home? And was it the place, or the people? Honestly, Violet was my home now. Wherever she was, that was where I wanted to be.
Me: Of course. I’ll be there.
I put my phone down in the center console and pulled out of the parking lot. “I’m on my way.”
“What am I going to do?”
I blew out a breath, not sure I had the answer he was looking for. If it were Violet, I sure as hell wouldn’t let her go without a fight.
“What happened?”
“I came home from work, and she already had a bag packed for her and Dani. Asked me not to make a scene, but that she couldn’t stay. She said she wanted a divorce. I can’t live without her.” His voice cracked and I gripped the steering wheel tighter.
I couldn’t imagine how he felt. The thought of losing Violet was unimaginable, and I was sure I wouldn’t come back from that heartbreak.