CHAPTER 17 #2
This was information completely opposite of what Robert had learned. “What are you talking about? Lainey never gave that impression, and neither does public opinion.”
Jake sighed and closed his tailgate. “I’ve heard guys talk about hunting trips and bachelor parties that went to the wild side.
You know firemen are completely full of themselves, right?
” Jake shook his head. “Apparently Geoff Wickham was no different. I’m sure those stories never made it back to Lainey out of respect. ”
Robert nodded, taking in the info. Lainey was still filled with sorrow and hung up on the father of her child dying. So the dead, once gallant husband Robert was competing against was impious?
His relief was short lived. Now he was angry at the SOB for Lainey’s sake. She didn’t deserve that shit. She was a damn fine woman. Her husband taking her for granted, having total disregard for her and their daughter was fucked up.
Jake continued, “If you’re worried about her taking Mac’s side after your minor scuffle, I can assure you that’s not the case. I got the impression she wanted nothing to do with Mac after the incident at the park. I’m the one who took her and Viv back home afterward, NOT him.”
“What incident at the park?” Robert asked.
“Oh, that’s right. I assumed you knew, but I didn’t know you weren’t talking to her anymore.”
“What happened?” Robert demanded.
“She fainted.”
“What?” Robert couldn’t control his volume.
“She collapsed Saturday afternoon at the playground off Pine Street. An ambulance was called, but apparently she was only dehydrated. She’s fine, really,” Jake assured him.
“Mac was in the back of the ambulance with the EMT checking her out, and she came out of there like a rocket to get away from him.”
“Is she really okay?” Robert’s pulse was hammering. He was truly worried.
“Yes, Emma texted me earlier and said she’s back at work today. She’s good, man.” Jake’s reassurance wasn’t helping. He needed to talk to Lainey.
He’d heard enough. “I need to start heading back to base. I’ll catch you later.” Robert pulled his cell from his pocket and headed for his truck.
* * *
Lainey could hear her phone buzzing underneath the counter as she counted back a cash withdrawal to Mrs. Rankin.
It stopped. She wished Mrs. Rankin a nice day, then heard the vibration of her phone again.
Whoever it was, they didn’t want to leave a voice message.
She peeked at the screen, worried it was Vivian’s school, but her breath caught when she saw it was Robert.
Should she answer? Things were pretty finalized in their last meeting. The phone went to voicemail again. She sighed. The decision had been made for her. But then it was buzzing again. This was the third call. Was he going to keep blowing up her phone? What on earth could be so important?
“Connie?” she said to her colleague as she set a closed sign in her window. “I’m going to the restroom. Cover me?”
“Sure thing,” Connie nodded.
Once inside the restroom, she answered, “Hello?”
“Sorry for blowin’ up your phone,” he said instantly. “I’m due to report soon, and I wanted to catch you beforehand.” He sounded somewhat urgent, but what on earth could be so important?
“Okay? I’m at work, so...”
“I’ll make it quick. Jake just told me about you collapsing at the park. Are you okay?”
Lainey swallowed. No, she wasn’t okay. She’d found out her husband of ten years had been running around on her, and his best friend was a jerk who’d hidden it from her too.
Also, Geoff’s girlfriend Sam was skinny, blonde, and had these perky boobs she flaunted along with the fact she was nailing Geoff ... or was it him who nailed her? Whatever the correct euphemism ... No, she was definitely not okay. “I’m fine,” she said.
“Why’d you collapse? Jake said, you fainted.”
I discovered phone messages between my husband and his lover in plain sight. I should’ve found years ago. “My body was dehydrated. You know better than anyone I’d had way too much to drink the night before.”
“Yeah. But still, Lain. It scared the hell out of me when he told me.” The tenderness in his voice softened her resolve.
If answering his phone call was the right decision or not, she was glad she had now.
He’d called her Lain too. Only people close to her, like her sister, had ever called her that.
He’d called to check on her right when he’d learned about the incident too.
The barrier she’d set between them was cracking.
“Thank you for checking on me, but I’m good,” she said.
There was a long silence as she listened to the hum of his truck in the background. He didn’t want to hang up, yet didn’t know how to prolong the conversation.
“Listen,” she said sympathetically. “I’m sorry about the other night. It was nice of you to give me a ride home, and I never said thank you.”
“It was nothing. I’m glad I was there to give you a ride.” He took a beat, then said, “I want to be there for you.”