“Oh! Right, moving along. Y’all have a nice day.” Glancing to the blonde, she smiled and winked. Lifting her hand, she waved.
“Hope to see you around, Tom.”
I stopped and said, “Oh my name isn’t Tom.” Then it hit me. Peeping Tom. I laughed, gave her a quick wave, and got the hell out of there.
Walking into the house, I let out a frustrated moan as I sat down on the sofa. Scrubbing my hands down my face, I fell back against the cushions. My heart was pounding as my mind tried to erase the image of Ryn and Dodge together. Attempting to control my breathing, I looked up and saw a vase sitting on the credenza. Quickly standing, I headed across the room and picked up the vase. This was my fault. I pushed Ryn into Dodge’s arms. Turning, I threw the vase against the wall and yelled out, “Fuck!”
My cell started ringing the moment the vase crashed against the wall. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled it out to see it was Liberty. I was not in the mood to deal with Liberty right now. Rolling my eyes, I sent her to voicemail.
Walking into the kitchen, I pulled open the refrigerator. “Is it too early to drink?” I mumbled under my breath.
I grabbed a bottled-water and shut the door. There were a few things left over from Lark and Azurdee’s wedding, but no real food. I made a note to hit the grocery store later today when my stomach growled.
My phone beeped, alerting me to a voice mail. I swiped my phone to open it and stared at the message. I hit Play and listened to Liberty beg me to call her back. Hitting delete, I headed upstairs to change.
After taking a shower, I changed into a pair of Wrangler Jeans, my favorite boots, a Dallas Cowboys T-shirt, and Dallas baseball cap. Reaching for my truck keys, I headed out the door. The salty air hit me and I couldn’t help but take a deep breath. Shutting the door, I hit Liberty’s number. I hadn’t wanted to deal with Liberty during this trip, but it looked like I needed to. If I didn’t, she’d be calling me every day.
“Tristan, darling. I’ve been worried,” Liberty whispered from the other end of the phone.
“Why?” I asked as I pulled out of the garage and headed into town.
Letting out a nervous giggle, Liberty said, “I don’t know. I didn’t hear from you last night or this morning and I just got worried. I love hearing your voice.”
Sitting at a red light, I closed my eyes briefly then snapped them back open. Every time they closed I saw Dodge . . . fucking Ryn.
“Liberty, I didn’t want to have to do this over the phone, but since I’m not planning on coming back for two more weeks—”
“Two weeks?” Liberty shrieked.
Pulling the phone away from my ear, I shook my head. “Yeah, Liberty. I had the entire month off, but was planning to come back early. I changed my mind and decided to stay down here for a few weeks. I needed some time to myself. To think.”
I heard a door open and then shut. I imagined Liberty was getting up from her desk and either going to the breakroom or outside. She worked for the State of Texas as some personal secretary to some hotshot in the capital. “Honey, what are you thinking about? Us? Have you thought any more about what I said?”
Aw shit. Here we go.
“Liberty, I think I made it pretty clear when I packed up all my shit from your place and left. I’m not wanting to get married. I have no desire to get married. Marriage and me . . . we don’t mix.”
“Tristan, it’s time to grow up. We’ve been together for over a year now off and on. I’m tired of this scene. You either make a promise to me right now, or we are over.”
My mouth dropped open. Is she for real? We aren’t even together right now!
Pulling into Clayton’s, I put the truck in park and sat there listening to Liberty give me an ultimatum.
“So what’s it going to be, Tristan? I want an answer right now.”
Dragging in a deep breath, I quickly pushed it out. “Liberty, I’m sorry. I care about you, but I don’t love you. I don’t see the two of us having a future together. I’m sorry.”
Silence.
“Liberty?”
Silence.
“Hello?”
Clearing her throat, Liberty asked, “Is there someone else?”
Was there someone else? Hell, I didn’t know. If there was, she was currently being fucked by another guy who she considered her fuck buddy. Although, by the way I’d seen him looking at her and holding her close to him, he considered himself more than just a fuck buddy.
“I’m going to take your silence as a yes.”
Pushing my hand through my hair, I let out a frustrated breath. “Right now, no, there is no one, Liberty.”