“Yes, momma!” they say, Tia pushing her hair back with both hands.
I swipe our empty cups and jump down. We’re heading to the parking lot at the park’s entrance, so I’m not worried I’ll miss Eric’s arrival. If anything I’ll run into him on the way.
With our feet crunching dead leaves I confess, “I’m nervous.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
She calls to her kids. “Are there any snakes where you are?”
They stop walking and look around. Disappointed, their shoulder slump, “No.”
“Good, hang tight.” She returns to me, eyes patient but firm. “This is not the Wren I know. That guy has fucked with your head. You are going to ditch him, right?”
“Yes. I think I have to.”
“Do you feel relief or sadness when you think of ending things?”
Blinking to the ground I mull it over. Sliding my gaze back up I say, “Relief. But it’s hard to break up with someone.”
Nodding she admits, “It’s never easy. But the best things rarely are.” Giving me a hug, she heads toward her children, calling over her shoulder, “Call him right now!”
“Now?”
“Yes! Or you might not do it.”
Oh, I’ll do it. What she said cleared the fog I’ve been in. It’s weird when you’re in a bad relationship and you can’t see outside of it until a friend shines the light and says, this way to freedom.
CHAPTER 22
ERIC
T here are sirens lighting me up as I turn the steering wheel slowly clockwise. I spit out a few well-chosen curse words, eyeing the blue patrol car through my rearview.
Two guys get out, each representing the two races most prevalent in Atlanta. They partner them like that on purpose to prevent racial bias, on either side. To me we’re all just people. It’s not like you’re given a choice how you’re born, what pigment you arrive in. Fucking ridiculous that we’re even still talking about it. But I get it. Some people look for any reason to feel superior, rather than earn it.
“License and registration,” the white officer growls before he gets a look at me. “Oh shit.” I glance up from reaching in my pocket, ready for trouble. But he grins over at his partner, “It’s the Falcons Quarterback!”
“No way!” Authoritative I’ve-got-a-gun strides switch to enthusiastic skipping as he hurries over, both of them on the driver’s side. “Holy shit, that was a good game in Seattle!”
“Thank you,” I smile, my mind on Wren.
“The way you passed the ball to Sanchez and he hightailed it to the end zone, spiked it and then danced like this!” He jogs in a tight circle, knees high before miming slamming a football into the road. “Fucking incredible, man. I felt it!”
His paler partner grins at him. “That’s when we did that round of shots.”
“And Stu lost two-hundred-dollars!”
“Serves him right for bettin’ against our team.”
Watching them I’m relieved they’re fans, and even more impressed how close they are, but more important to me is how I can get the hell out of here and fast. “Tony’s a good player.”
“You’re a good team! All of you, man!
“I can’t wait for the Super Bowl. You guys were robbed last time.”
I shrug, pleased he thinks so. “They gave us a good run. Have to give ‘em credit.”
“Nah, fuck that. You were robbed.”
I laugh and ask, “What are your names?”
“I’m Andre.”
“Tad. Uh, hey, you ran that red.”
Frowning with fake confusion I look back to the light I blew going forty-five. “Oh shit, when’d they put that there?”
The cops glance over, unsure if they should make me feel stupid by enlightening me to a fact I secretly already know—it’s been there since before I was born.
“Nobody was hurt so…” Tad begins.
Andre finishes, “Forget about it.”
“But be careful.”
“We need you when January comes!”
“Really good to meet you guys. Tell Stu to get his loyalties in check.”
They both laugh, Andre reassuring me, “We will! Keep it up, man. We’re rootin’ for ya’ll!”
I wave and do my damnedest to obey the speed limit, and all the other laws, from here to Wren.
Pulling into the small parking lot my eyes narrow on a party of four, and I slow down, giving a honk as Eleanor ushers two kids into a black four-door Toyota. She glances to me at the same time Wren does. Her eyes light up, but Wren’s darken. Thank God I’ve got one ally.
Leaping out of my Jeep I smile, “Eleanor! These munchkins yours?”
“All mine. And they have a cold so I’m getting them in the car so you stay healthy for the season.” To Wren she asks, “Call me later?” Satisfied with the nod she receives, Eleanor steals another curious glance at me, before climbing in. “You guys buckled in?”
“Yes, Mommy!” they answer before the door closes.
Wren and I move aside as the car backs out and pivots. She gives one last wave, and without saying a word, we walk together up a path that leads to a selection of easy hiking trails. We’re the opposite of last we saw each other. I’m dressed for a nice, celebratory brunch in slacks and a long-sleeved button-up. Wren is casual in shorts and a halter-top, sunglasses poking out of a stuffed pocket. No purse.
“You waiting long?” I ask.
“No.”
“Having a good day?”
Her eyes are locked on the ground blurring under our footsteps. “Not really.”
CHAPTER 23
ERIC
M y lips get chewed pretty heavily as silence takes us deeper into the woods. When the path thins I step back, motioning with my right hand for her to walk ahead. She notices my knuckles for the first time. Until I see her reaction I’d forgotten all about the bruises, the dried blood. I’m not a fighter by nature—I don’t go around looking for them—but because some guys need to be
