Changing Lanes (Highway 17 #1)

by Leaona Luxx

  Narrowing my eyes at her, I can’t help but smile. “Nope, not that I can think of.”

  We gather in the conference room, sitting opposite of one another. “Alright, kids, here’s where we’re at. Brannon will go on my payroll as a sub-contracting engineer. I’m hoping you’ll consider working with me from here out. Lea and I discussed it, and with the new baby, she’ll need me more. I want to be home more. With you on my payroll, I can do that without fear of problems arising on a site. It also makes it possible for me to cover your working with Torrie,” One finishes, leaving me speechless. I wasn’t expecting a full-time job.

  “I guess I’m okay with it, I mean, I don’t want you to give me a job you don’t need to be filled.” I’m gob-smacked. Also, thrilled for the opportunity.

  “Brannon, I wouldn’t offer you the job if I didn’t need you and couldn’t afford you. Everyone good?” One scans the table to see if everyone is in agreeance.

  Just then, my phone buzzes again, Ava. She’s flipping shit because she knows Torrie’s here like we’re on a date. It doesn’t matter if we were, it’s not her business. But Torrie’s the one who doesn’t take it so well. She leers at me as another text comes in.

  “It sounds good, thank you. I suppose we need to let Brannon answer his texts. Apparently, he’s needed.” Rolling her eyes at the end.

  Leaning toward her from across the table, I try to tone down my reaction. “I apologize. It’s family.”

  One smiles nervously as he talks to us. “Okay, kids. That’s it, you can leave.” We push our seats back at the same time but, One isn’t finished. “But you both need to clearing the air.Soon.”

  Glaring across the table at each other, neither of us want to be the first to break. So, I do it for her. “Yes, Torrie, let’s talk soon. Maybe, dinner?”

  She practically sneers at me when she answers, “Let’s. Tonight. Say, seven?” Surprising the hell outta me.

  “Sounds good. Do you want to pick the place?” I ask her to be polite.

  She shakes her head with her answer. “No. Not my town.”

  “Alright, I’ll make reservations.” She nods her agreement, then she knocks me over. “Your number?”

  What the fuck? “Oh, yeah. Let me just send that to you.” Spinning her paperwork around, I use her contact information to text her my number.

  She acknowledges it with a nod. “Got it. Just text me the directions. Thank you.” She’s out the door before I can say another word, like—can I pick you up.

  “Text her,” Hardy says from across the room.

  “Huh?” I ask, still dazed by the fact Torrie agreed to dinner with me.

  “To pick her up. We know where she lives, be there and text her you’re outside waiting.” Fucking genius.

  “Thank you.” I high five him on my way out the door.

  I call Mom on my way to pick up Ava, to let her know I’ll be going out tonight. Taking into consideration that Torrie loves surf and turf, I make reservations in a nearby town. Boundary House is in Calabash; it’s outta the way which is great for conversations.

  I’m nervous as hell when I stop by the gates to her rental. She may yell at me for being presumptuous. Taking a few deep breaths, I steady my hand enough to send her a text.

  I’m at the gate. I wait.

  Here? At my place? She replies.

  Yes. You ready? I ask.

  I am. I’ll buzz you in, third house on the left. Thanks to Hardy, I already knew that.

  Okay. I’m trying to be cool, not nervous.

  She walks toward my car, breathtaking. Her hair trailing down her back, biting her lip as she glances at me. Her ivory, backless skater dress falls mid-thigh, showcasing her gorgeous, tanned legs. Her nude heels need to be draped over my shoulders later.

  She looks so much better than my dream. She was mine last night, one of the best dreams ever. Only in my dream, I was about to fuck her brains out. Damn, do dreams come true? My senses come to me, and I get out and open her door.

  “This is not a date, I could’ve opened my own door. Thank you.” Back to business.

  “Torrie, I’m a man. I have manners and will use them as much as possible. Please, allow me.” That dress will be the death of me. Thank God, I had enough good sense to drive my mom’s car. If she had to climb in my truck with it, we’d both been fucked.

  Closing my door, I glance over at her. She’s sitting with her hands in her lap as if she’s scared to be with me. I chuckle. “I promise you, I know how to drive.”

  “I know.” She’s curt. Yeah, she’s nervous.

  “The restaurant is about fifteen minutes away, I hope you still like surf and turf.” Glancing at her, I smile when his head jerks toward mine.

  “You remember that?” she questions.

  “I do. I remember everything,” I reply as I chance a look at her. She nods, turning her head to look out the window.

  Arriving at the restaurant, I park and insist on opening her door. I extend my hand, silently asking for hers. She places her fingertips in my hand and plants her feet on the ground before stepping from the car. Naturally, I place my hand on the small of her back. She flinches, then relaxes when I brush her ear with my lips. “You’re perfect.”

  She turns her head to me, smiling. “You’re not so bad either, country boy.” Then she adds a wink. Damn.

  We’re seated, and I place an order for a bottle of Groth Cabernet Sauvignon. Torrie’s eyes grow wide as she raises an eyebrow. I smirk. “Did you forget so easily?”

  “No, I did not forget. Forget what?” She smiles at my question.

  “Country boy got skills.” We both laugh at my referencing her from years ago, her smile is beautiful.

  “Yes, I do remember your mad skills. Still an Xbox master?” She giggles.

  “Well, not as much, but I do still play. You still queen of HALO?” Shaking her head, she can’t stop smiling.

  “Not in years. You asking for round two?” Her words fall from her mouth as she realizes what she’s said.

  “Possibly. Let’s see how dinner goes.” The table gets quiet, she serious again.

  “Well, I’d have to be a fool to do that, wouldn’t I?” She sips her wine while we wait for our food.

  “I don’t think so, but I never took you for one; you’re too smart for that.” My eyes never leave hers, yet I still can’t see her. She’s buried deep, only breaking through this façade from time to time. “Listen, I know you’ve been hurt.”

  “Damn straight, I’ve been hurt. I’m still hurt. You gutted me.” She throws the first punch, and I take it because I deserve it.

  “I know. I’m sorry for the way things happened between us. I also want to apologize for the way they were left, I should’ve called or something.” Her eyes move from mine, it’s not enough. Not yet. “Torrie.” Her eyes still somewhere else. “Torrie, look at me.” Her eyes dart to mine, fierce and warm. “I am sorry I hurt you. It broke me, too. But right now, we need to find a way to work together.”

  “I’ll try,” she rasps out, her eyes shine with unshed tears. “I will, I’ll try.”

  Our food arrives moments later. “This looks delicious, I’m starving,” I say to her.

  “It does smell wonderful. Thank you.” She smiles as we sit quietly and begin to eat.

  After dinner, we drive back to her place. Although we’ve talked, there’s so much more that needs to be said. “You do know we need to have ‘the talk’ at some point, right?”

  “She glances over at me. “Didn’t we just talk? I mean, is there a reason to bring up all that other stuff?”

  “As much as I’d like to say no, we both know that’s not going to work,” I say to her.

  “I know, Brannon. I’m trying, it’s all I can do right now, okay?” Her voice is low, I’m not sure if it’s anger or want. My hand reaches across the seat, waiting on hers. She drops her hand beside mine, and they lay there, so close. Mirroring our very souls.

  When our fingers touch, we both draw in a breath
, unsure. Unsteady. Do we fight or let go? So long ago, I just wanted to hold onto her. I felt I needed to let her go until she came to me. Lacing our fingers, I just want to hold on to her. Keep her here, forever.

  Raindrops hit the windshield as a storm begins to rage. The rumble in the sky rolls over us, and a downpour falls from the sky. The windows fog so I move my hand to turn the defogger on, but she clasps my hand and squeezes. I can’t take another second. I pull the car off the road. Her head spins to me, I unbuckle and twist toward her. She looks at me for what feels like the longest time. Faintly, she nods her head. I take the opening. I take her face in my hands, and she presses into my palm as my thumb runs across her bottom lip. Her eyes flash to mine, telling me everything as tears spring from her eyes. I did this to her.

  I unbuckle her, moving the belt. Curling my fingers around her neck, I pull her to me. Our breathing is rough and loud in the closed car. It’s just us and the rain on the roof. If we allow it, it could wash all the bad away, but she’s not ready yet. I can see it in her eyes.

  The battle between her heart and mind have waged war. Smashing my mouth to hers, she can’t decide to fight or give in. My tongue sweeps over her bottom lip, and I kiss her for as long as I can.

  She moans, giving me the chance I need to take her. She hesitates, pulling back slightly. Suddenly, her tongue slides over mine, and we melt into each other. Hands are everywhere they’ve missed, touching parts that need to be reminded they’re here.

  She crawls into my seat, throwing her leg over me. Her hands drag up my chest while we forget where we are, maybe even who we are. Our tongues are at war with the other, wrestling for the advantage. Her body pressed against me, she begins moving. I meet her with my thrusts as we grind together.

  A rumble of thunder shocks her back. She leans away, wiping her mouth. She frowns, cutting her eyes away from me. Whether in embarrassment or anger, she’s done. Opening my door, she moves off my lap and into the rain.

  Jumping from the car, I wrap my arms around her. It’s now I can tell she’s crying. Her body heaves with every gasp she pulls into her lungs, trying to get it all out. Torrie fists my shirt, tugging and pulling at it. She hits my back, then again. I hold her tighter as she fights her heart and mind.

  I hold her in the dead of night as the rain beats down on us. I keep reminding myself, I did this to her. The mistakes of my past continue to haunt me. When her crying slows, I pick her up and carry her back to the car. I grab Andi’s blanket from the backseat, wrapping it around her.

  Again, the silence between us is deafening. I can’t stand this not talking. No. I have to hear what she has to say. I need to know her pain, her fears. I want all she felt ten years ago, I want it all. All of her, forever.

  Pulling up to her gates, she leans over me to enter her pin code. Her breasts brush my arm, making me hard immediately. Plopping back into her seat, I drive through to her house. The rain is still falling hard, but she doesn’t wait to get out.

  Following her, I yell as she steps onto her porch. “Torrie. Damn it, stop.”

  She whips around, pinning me with her glare. “What?” she shouts at me.

  “Say something. It’s obvious you’re thinking it. Even feeling it. Goddamn it, say something.” I raise my voice with each word.

  Her hands ball into fists at her side. “Say what? What the fuck is there to say, Brannon? Yes, you broke me. Fuck. I still love you. No matter what I’ve done or who I’ve fucked. It’s you. I see you, feel you, want you. I hate what you did to us. Who you are, why you’re here. I hate you.” Her face distorts, I barely recognize who she is.

  “Good. At least you feel something. I’ve been empty since the day I left. Why the fuck do you think you’re the only one hurt?” I growl.

  Her head pops up like she can’t believe my words. “You’re hurt? Did you not get paid? Am I wrong in what I saw? You have no right to be hurt, it was your choice. You didn’t choose me.”

  “That’s all you care about, isn’t it? The money. You don’t want the story. You could care less what I’ve been through, it’s about the money. Tell me this, Torrie. Are you running Harrington Holdings?” She glares at me as if she could take my head off. “So, it wasn’t worth it after all, was it?”

  I race down her steps, running to my car to get away from her. She knows nothing, she refuses to listen. Driving away from her house, I look in the mirror. She’s standing there in the same place. I don’t think she’ll ever forgive me. For the first time in a long time, I cry as I drive the longest thirty minutes of my life.

  Once again, sleep is not my friend. I fight for it all night but all that comes are memories of her. Thinking about what I should have done differently but I didn’t. We can’t go back, and moving forward is proving to be even harder.

  I drop by the office the next day to sign a few inspection applications for One. I haul ass around the corner to the door, hoping to get in and out, but there’s no fucking chance of that. I practically run Torrie over walking through the door.

  “Shit. I’m sorry,” I apologize quickly. “I didn’t see you standing there.”

  She brushes her clothes off like I’m disgusting. As if she wasn’t straddling my cock last night. “Sure, it’s not like people walk in and out of here or anything.” She leers at me.

  “I said I was I sorry.” Rolling my eyes at her dramatic acting.

  “It’s okay, I shouldn’t be snotty.” Before I can see how she’s doing, Ava walks in the door. Shit.

  “Is this her? Torrie, is it?” Ava’s hostility is ridiculous as she stands at the corner of the room.

  “Yes, I’m Torrie Harrington.” Torrie squares her shoulders, she’s a different kind of tough than Ava.

  “Ava, you need to leave. Now.” Taking her by the arm, I start walking her to her car.

  “Wait. Ava? You’re still with Ava? The ex-girlfriend back home, the one you didn’t love,” Torrie spits her words at me.

  “You’re damn right he’s still with me. After what you and your father did to him, of course, he’d come back home to me,” Ava yells.

  “Hold up. I’m not with Ava. And I’m not with Torrie.” I glare at both of them for the show in the parking lot.

  “If you’re not with her, who were you seen kissing last night?” Ava jerks her arm from me.

  “I need to be going. Excuse me.” Torrie rushes past us.

  I walk away as the scene between Brannon and Ava unfolds, I’m quickly followed by Thayer, who walks me to my car.

  “Torrie, is there anything I can do?” she asks. I stop to take a steadying breath.

  “It’s been ten years since I last saw him. I didn’t expect him to be celibate, but to be with her, it just crushes me.” Glancing back to the building, I watch as he puts Ava in her car.

  “I’ve known him my entire life, it may not be obvious, but he’s a good guy. I’m sorry you’re hurting.” She lays her hand on my arm as if knowing I need it.

  “Every time I think I can move forward, he makes me take four steps back with things like this. I’m just not sure I can work with him if this is what it’ll be like.” I can’t believe I said it the way I did.

  “I’m sorry. Can I hug you? I know it’s weird, but we’re about to become great friends, so let me hug you.” She pulls me into a hug. A hug. It’s been so long since I’ve been hugged.

  “Thank you. I just need to gather myself,” I reassure her.

  “It’s fine, really. Could I suggest dinner? I would love to take you out. One’s wife, Lea, could join us.” Dinner with girls? I could do that.

  “Sounds like a plan. I need to get a few more things for my stay while I’m here, maybe you could show me where to shop after.” I ask her.

  “Here’s my card, use the cell. I’ll let Lea know, about six?” She nods with a broad smile.

  “Perfect. Thank you, I appreciate this,” I tell her.

  By the time I get back to my rental, I’m ready for a nice, hot bubble bath and a glass of wine. I
’ll be happy to go out tonight with Lea and Thayer. At least I won’t be here wallowing in self-pity. I soak until the water gets cold, getting out just in time to get a text.

  We’ll be there in an hour— Thayer sends.

  Okay. Text me and I’ll buzz you in. I reply.

  What should I wear?

  Whatever. Her response made me laugh out loud. I can’t remember the last time I went anywhere that it didn’t matter what I wore.

  At six, I get a text. We’re here. I grab my purse and meet Thayer and Lea outside.

  Thayer and Lea show me the best places to shop. Come to find out, I know Lea. Well, I know of her. I read an article on the rise of her internet business along with the quick sale of her start up. She has a brilliant mind for business. She and One are a force to be reckoned with. And their bank account alone would earn my father’s attention.

  We sit down at a little, out of the way place. The ladies order tea, but I get a Long Island Ice Tea. After taking their advice on local specialties, we order our food and spend some time getting to know each other. I adore the relationship they share; not only are they sister-in-laws, but they’re best friends.

  “Hardy and I married in November after his attack. I wasn’t wasting another minute, we fought so hard to be together,” Thayer explains.

  “Not unlike Malone and myself. I think he would say the hardest part was allowing me to find myself. I had to figure it out. Damn strong man, hot as hell, too,” Lea adds.

  “I may not be so lucky in love, but my business game is strong.” I smirk at my statement. I may be a little tipsy.

  “About that, ‘not lucky in love’ thing, spill,” Thayer says with a smirk of her own.

  “I don’t even know where to start. We met at college. Fucked. He fucked me over.” Picking up my glass, I finish it off as I wave for another.

  “Interesting. I’m thinking there’s more to it. More details, Torrie.” Lea leans back, getting comfortable.

  “I first saw Brannon when I was escorting his freshmen class across campus during orientation. The first day of classes, we ended up sitting side by side and tossing playful glances at each other. I was drawn to him instantly. He just has a charismatic personality that calls to me. Fate maybe? We started dating in September and by Thanksgiving, I was ready to call it what it was—love.” I smile to myself, remembering that all-consuming emotion only Brannon has ever evoked in me. “My father…” my face falls flat, “…my father is an asshole. He wanted a boy, so he got Torrence.” Stabbing my thumb at my chest.