“Same to you. Are you here to eat with us?” I glanced around. I wasn’t sure who would be coming by after what Amy said.
“No. I still have a few briefs to get together before the next week. I usually go to my parents’ place late and eat leftovers.” She smiled as she thrust a manila envelope in my direction. “I thought I’d give you a little holiday treat early.” She grinned even wider. “Open it.”
My fingers fumbled with the clasp as I slowly backed up and glanced at Ava. I pulled the papers from the envelope and read the words typed at the top of the first page. “The dissolution of marriage between Brooke Ellis and Warren Ellis. Is this real?” I gasped.
“No, silly. I’m giving you fake divorce papers.” Roni rolled her eyes before she started laughing. “Of course, they’re real.”
“He signed? I’m free?” I stumbled farther into the house. It was as if a giant weight had been taken off my shoulders. My heart felt lighter as tears leaked from my eyes. Roni grabbed my elbow as I started to crumple to the floor. She carefully walked me over to the couch, and closed the door.
“It’s over.” She smiled. “You’re free.” She held my hands in hers. We both laughed as I cried. It was a feeling that I wasn’t expecting, freedom. It had been so long since I’d had it, I wasn’t sure I’d know what to do. “The order of protection is still good. It doesn’t expire until the end of the year. If you don’t feel safe by then, then we can file to renew it.”
“I don’t know how to thank you.” I cried.
“You don’t need to thank me. I’m happy I could help you. Just promise me you’ll be happy. That’s all I ask of you.” She started to stand.
“I will.” I nodded as I clutched the papers in my hands. “I’ll be happy and I’ll always remember this.” I glanced at Ava and then back at Roni. “Thank you. Thank you from me and from her. She doesn’t know it yet, but you’re her hero.” I sobbed. Roni nodded as she pressed her lips together. I could tell she was getting emotional too. “Emily would be proud,” I added just as she reached the door. She nodded again, before disappearing out the door. ooooooooo
Blake
Do you think this is ok?” I held up a sweater in front of my webcam. I was trying to get advice from my brother, but he was sucking at it.
“Sure.” He shrugged. “The last five you showed me looked fine too.”
“You’re no help,” I grumbled as I tossed yet another sweater onto my bed.
“You’re acting like a girl. Who cares what you wear? She’d probably like it better if you didn’t wear clothes.”
“I’m not there yet.” I sighed. I’d been thinking about it every time I talked to her. I see her hips sway as she walks down the steps at the house and my dick twitches. It was dying to know what she looked like under all the clothes.
“And why not?” Cal smirked.
“Because she’s still married. I’m not into going after married women. I don’t care how crappy their husbands are. I’m not going to do it,” I growled as I pulled out a blue shirt. “What about this?”
“Sure.” Cal shrugged again.
“You said that about the last one,” I huffed.
“Dude. You wanna know what I’m wearing?” He chuckled and then stood up. “This.” He pointed at the t-shirt he was wearing. It had a Captain America symbol on it. “I got jeans on the bottom half.”
“It’s Thanksgiving.” My forehead crinkled. “You can’t pick something nicer?”
“Ok, Mom.” His head tipped to the side as he stared at me through the screen. “I wear dress pants and a button down to work almost every day. I like to be comfortable when I’m off duty.” He lifted his hands in the air as if to say ‘can you blame me’.
“Fine,” I grumbled. “I’ll see you at two.”
“Later.” He gave a finger wave as he laughed before the connection broke and my screen went black. Maybe Cal had a point. Maybe I was trying too hard. Maybe I should just go casual.
I rummaged through my closet until I found my Eastside University Crew team shirt. It was a favorite, and that was obvious by the amount of wear it had seen. The yellow lettering on the maroon fabric was faded and the cotton was super soft from all the washes it had endured. I grabbed a pair of jeans, combed my hair, and slapped a little cologne on. I didn’t want to look like a total slob, but I did want to be comfortable. Brooke saw me in dress clothes every time we hung out. Maybe if I looked a little more approachable, I might get her to relax a little around me. ooooooooo
“Glad to see you were finally able to make a choice,” Cal shouted as he jogged down the steps of his apartment building. He had a hoodie on with the hood pulled up.
“If we weren’t on our way right now, I’d give you something to laugh about,” I grumbled as I stuffed my hands into my pockets. It was cold out today.
“I’m parked over here.” Cal motioned as he started walking around the corner. We entered the lot for residents of his building and slipped into his Mustang. “You know, maybe if you bought a car like this, she’d notice you a little more.”
“I like my Audi just fine, and why would I want a woman who only likes me for my clothes and car?” I shook my head as Cal took a corner a little too fast and my shoulder bumped the door. “Slow down.” I gave him a side eye.
“Stop being such
