Chapter 12 #2
Griffin peeks at me, his brow furrowed. “I did. She told me when we had our first consultation.”
I don’t say anything, letting that roll around.
“Sarah, one of the things I’ve learned over the last thirty years is that there’s no such thing as innocent and fair when it comes to divorce and settlement. As with most legal matters, it’s often who can make the best argument. ”
He makes a right turn. “In this case, I think we proved Arlene was due those assets. It doesn’t matter what happened personally between them. It’s just sorting out how to divide what was once shared.”
I tuck my arms in my lap, processing his words and wondering if it’s callousness or factual—that right and fairness never really come into play at all.
It hits like a ton of bricks. “Do you ever feel like you helped the wrong team?” I ask bluntly, really wanting to know.
He laughs. “There is no good or bad, just people with something to lose. It’s our job to help win back whatever we can.”
Win. I wonder if there’s ever truly winning in this. I think about Ollie and Frankie. No matter what happens, there’s no winning for them.
But he’s right. Sometimes, people really do have everything to lose. It’s just. . .what if you’re the one who helps take it all away?
I check my phone—still no message from Miles. My stomach sinks even further.
Griffin pulls into the garage lot, and I see my car parked in a spot at the far end. I gather my things, pushing the door open. He puts the car in park and hits the button, turning it off.
I glance at him.
“I’ll be sure everything is set before I take off.”
I tug the shop door open, and Griffin holds it, following me inside. The air smells like metal and oil, and the noise is piercing. Krissy sits on a stool, her shoes propped on the counter, with her phone in her hand.
The door bangs closed, and her eyes pop up to us. She smiles, but it falters slightly as she zeros in on the man behind me.
The sound dies off except for a radio, and the room suddenly stills.
“Hi,” I say, glancing around the space for Slade but only seeing three other men staring back at me. “Uh, Slade said my car was done.”
Krissy removes her feet from the counter and sits forward, her eyes moving back to me .
“It’s ready,” a deep voice strikes the stillness.
My gaze snaps to the big man standing just outside a dark hallway. His flannel shirt is rolled up to his elbows, revealing the intricate inkwork that covers his arms.
With his hat backward, I see the intense scowl pointed in my direction. Usually, I’d give him shit and watch him struggle to maintain that glower, but my emotional energy is depleted, and my sarcasm has run dry.
“Great,” I say, wanting to make this quick so I can go home and snuggle my kids.
“Why are you here?” Slade asks in a low, demanding tone, but it’s directed at my boss.
Griffin shifts next to me. “I’m just making sure Sarah’s all set before I take off,” he says matter-of-factly.
“Sarah will be fine. You can go now,” Slade states in a direct order.
My eyes flick between them as they stare at each other in some kind of standoff. The weight of the entire room settles on me, and my body heats to a thousand degrees. Feeling warm and confined, I want to peel my coat off and maybe a layer of skin.
What in the ever-loving hell?
Griffin only nods, his attention moving to me. “I’ll see you at the office. Thanks for your help today.”
I force a small smile. “Thank you for the ride.”
The door bangs closed, and the noise resumes. Krissy hops off the stool to help roll a set of tires to a vehicle.
I drop my bag and shed my coat before the hot flash sends me into an overstimulated rage.
“Everything ok?”
Free from my personal fabric-holding cell, I drag my eyes up to Slade’s. Those green irises no longer hold a death wish.
“Yes.” I shove my coat under my arm, contemplating asking what that little showdown was all about, but I’ve had enough today. “I’d really like to go home.”
His eyes roam over my face. “You all right? ”
I don’t have any idea anymore, but I won’t be getting into that here, so I nod.
His gaze lingers on my face as if he’s thinking about calling my bluff, but then he reaches for my keys hanging on the pegboard.
I pull my wallet from my purse. “Do you have the invoice?”
He slides the paperwork from a slotted holder and hands it to me. I run through the charges for the oil change, wheel bearing replacement, and labor. The total amount is a fist to my already queasy stomach.
I hand him my credit card, and Krissy returns to the counter.
“How are those babies?” She leans, resting her chin in her hand.
“They’re good. Ollie is working on his piloting skills, and Frankie is on the verge of climbing into the refrigerator.” I try to smile, but it’s weak.
“They’re such cuties. I’m serious. If you ever need a sitter, I’d love to watch them. I’ll give you my number.” She pulls a Post-it from the pad and scribbles her information on it. “I’d rather play with kids than listen to these idiots.” She waves her pen around the room.
“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.” I put the note in my purse.
“Also, I don’t know if you’re into sports, but we watch football on the weekends. If you’re free, you should bring the kids over. It’ll help limit the burping contests and unclaimed farting.” She smiles.
Slade groans.
I laugh, and it feels good, like a reminder that hope still exists.
“I used to have Alex to hang out with, but she’s off living the fairytale. So, please save me from having to deal with these numbnuts on my own. It’d be fun.”
“You should get back to work,” Slade grumbles.
Krissy rolls her eyes but pushes away from the counter. “Watch it, Stone Cold. You’re lucky I’m here.”
“Am I?” he retorts.
“Yep. If I weren’t, you would’ve sunk your ship twice already.” She skips to the raised car, and I hear snickers in the background .
Slade’s shoulders slump as he hands me my card. “You should be good to go.”
He holds out my key ring, pinched between his thumb and forefinger.
I extend my hand, and his eyes scan over the thin scab across my palm before he lets the fob fall into it.
“Thank you,” I say. “Hopefully, no more issues.” I really need that prayer to come true.
His eyes flick between mine. “You sure you’re ok?” The gentleness in his tone presses against my vocal cords.
Not even a little bit.
I only nod because saying it out loud would lead to the kind of meltdown I’m not sure either of us is game for.
He holds my gaze like he wants to be sure, but if I’ve gotten to know this man at all over the past few weeks, he won’t pry.
“I guess. . .I’ll see you around, neighbor.” I step away from the counter, feeling a bit strange that I won’t see him in the morning.
The room feels quiet again as I turn, but I stop at the door. “Thanks again.” I wave my key, and it’s possible I see the slightest indentation of a dimple lying underneath that short, dark beard.
I push out the door into the cold evening air, hoping it will cool my skin and temporarily numb my mind.
I climb into my car, so happy to have my freedom back. I dig in my purse to call Roxie, needing her sass and humor to take away this shitty day before I go home. I tap my phone and stop.
MILES: Sunday morning anchor on The Morning Show to start.
MILES: I’ll be flying out in a few weeks and will stop by on my return. This is a big move, Sarah. I suggest you reconsider things. You decide how this goes.
I breathe in and out, my stomach rolling into my throat. I rest my head on the steering wheel and close my eyes. Even though I knew this was coming, it’s not what I needed today or ever .
I hear the threat in his words. He’s right. I will have to decide how this goes.
I exhale slowly. It feels like every single thing is shifting rapidly around me. I don’t know when the next collision will occur or what the aftermath will be. The unpredictability and uncertainty are terrifying, and I have no idea what I’m supposed to do about any of it.
I start my car and pull out of the lot. The only thing I know is that I need to get it together so that my kids aren’t the ones who lose again.