Tyrell
After two days, the recording still sat in my desk at work. It was also backed up at my mom’s house, just in case. I could air it anytime. Our new reporter would probably love to do an exposé on Jonathan Gloss, especially since she had just been sent out to get a story on invasive vines.
As the weekend began, my thoughts turned back to my own family issues. Living with my mother again was not as much fun without the girls to be a buffer. I adored my mom, but I was a grown man, not a teenager who needed to be tended—especially by a woman who could barely move around her house.
Not only was I working full time, but I was also trying to maintain two households, get reacquainted with Ashley, get my mom to appointments, and still trying to get in touch with the mother of my children. It was Friday, and she still hadn’t shown back up in Savannah.
Going for a run seemed like a good way to get out of the house and think through everything going on. I popped earbuds in and took off from Mom’s house, thinking I could run the two miles to my own house, then back again.
I needed to solve the easiest problem first—dating Ashley. Well, there was no problem there. She was perfection. Okay, maybe not perfection, but she was close. We saw each other a few times a week, not counting when I took the girls to school, and the girls were getting to know her, too. Nope, no problems there.
Next, my mom. She was adjusting to the crutches and was hobbling okay. She had five more weeks with the cast, and I didn’t think I could live with her for that long. Maybe I could just stop by after work and help her make dinner and pop in a load of laundry if she needed it. The girls and I could stay on weekends and clean the house. Maybe I could sweet-talk Ashley into going by as well to check on her.
That left Sabra and Ashley’s father. There wasn’t much I could do about either one of them with a quick turnout. But what could I do? I could support Ashley however she needed it. I could keep or destroy the recording of my confrontation with Mr. Gloss – keeping it hidden away seemed the best course of inaction. As far as Sabra went, I had spoken to an attorney who said I had a great case against her, but then we were at the mercy of the courts and their timeline, which could drag on for months. I needed to actually talk to her before anything else happened.
I stopped on a corner, winded. Sweat dripped down my neck and my back, and I was beginning to get a stitch in my side. Running used to be one of my favorite things. Soccer had been my life in high school and college. But since then? Not so much. I didn’t have the time to devote to my physique, nor did I care that much. I had a dad bod, and I was a dad; it hadn”t bothered me in the last several years. The run that would have been easy as pie five years before was now a struggle. By the time I got to my own house, I was drenched in sweat, and I feared my legs were permanently damaged.
I struggled to open the lock and went straight for the kitchen, where I downed the entire pitcher of water. Then I collapsed on the couch and laid there, panting. My phone dinged, and I struggled to hold it up.
Ashley: Whatcha doing?
I had to use voice-to-text to answer. I couldn’t lift my other hand to type.
Tyrell: Trying not to die. I ran from Momma’s house to my house.
The phone rang then. I answered with a weak grunt.
“Why did you run from Gigi’s house to your house?” Ashley couldn’t decide if she was concerned or amused because her tone changed halfway through the question.
The fact that she had taken to calling my mom Gigi always made my heart jump. I didn’t know why. But the last thing I needed right then was for my heart to start acting up again. I was still trying to get it to beat normally.
“I needed to clear my head, and I thought a run might help.”
“Did it?” She giggled this time.
“Absolutely not.” I gasped for effect. “I can see the light. You better say your goodbyes.”
This time, she burst into laughter. “Oh, no. You cannot die on me, Mr. Harris. I just found you again. I will not give you up this easily. How are you getting home?”
Crawling back army-style had crossed my mind, and I told her as much. She made the generous offer to pick me up. I agreed.
After we hung up, I managed to stand on my noodle legs and get myself to the bathroom for a quick shower to both cool me down and make me smell better. Even though I was growing out my beard, I splashed my aftershave on my neck. I knew how much she loved the scent.
I was dressed and once again sprawled out on the couch when a knock came at the door. “If that’s Ashley, come in. If it’s not Ashley, nobody’s home.”
The door opened, and I looked up to see my petite brunette enter. She leaned over the couch and kissed my cheek. “Oh, you smell so good.” She kissed it again.
Bolstered by her affection, I reached up and grabbed her, pulling her over the couch and onto my lap. She squealed and laughed; the sound was like music to my ears. Kissing her more thoroughly, I groaned with hunger for her.
“I thought you were too weak to move, and yet here you are grabbing me and kissing me.” She ran her fingers lightly over my face, giving me goosebumps.
I leaned in and nibbled on her neck, making her shriek again. “Ha! That was all a ploy to get you here.”
We were interrupted from anything further when my phone gave off a special ring. Sabra’s ring. Yes, she had her own ring—mainly because she only called when it had to do with the girls, and I wanted to make sure I took those calls. I cursed under my breath and grabbed for the phone. Ashley sat up but stayed close.
“Sabra, where have you been?”
“Some greeting, Tyrell. I’m trying to provide for my babies.” She already sounded exasperated, but then I guess I did, too. I put her on speakerphone.
“You left without telling me, without telling the girls goodbye. Where are you?” I ran my hand over my head, my blood heating back up.
It sounded like she was in her car. “I’m on my way home from Atlanta. I landed an audition for this reality show called Circle Up, and I made it. I’m going to be on it. I have a week to pack up some stuff and get back.”
“What about the girls?” I pushed off from the couch, causing Ashley to fall over a little; but in that moment, I was more concerned with the vitriol Sabra was feeding me.
“You’re a great dad, Tyrell. You can handle them. And I’ll still see them. The taping is only three months. And we have a family day halfway through when they can come visit.”
I closed my eyes and paced the room. “You know you’re just making my court case stronger. Not that I mind, but I thought you’d at least fight for your children.”
Ashley pulled her phone out and began typing. While I waited for Sabra’s reply, Ashley showed me a website for Circle Up. It was a reality dating show. I would not subject the girls to that kind of environment.
Finally, Sabra spoke. “I’m doing my best. I get paid good money to be on this show, and if it goes well, they think I could do a spin-off one as well. This could be my big break, which means I can provide more for Samirya and Sapphire. Speaking of, I want to talk to them.”
Through gritted teeth, I replied, “They’re at your mother’s house.”
“Oh. I’ll call there, then. But I do need to sit down and talk with you before I come back to Atlanta.” I heard her turn signal come on, and she yelled at another car.
“Yes, we sure do.” We hung up, and I again fell to the couch. Ashley only wrapped her arms around me silently as my mind reeled.
I didn’t know what to do, but I guess I had time to figure it out. Three months at least.
“Tyrell?”
Looking up at Ashley’s big, doe eyes, I raised an eyebrow.
“I love you.”
Relief flooded over me. She was in this with me. “I love you, too, Dream Girl.”