Love Always (An Echo Bay Romance Book 3) by Rebecca Ryan

Author:Rebecca Ryan [Ryan, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: RAM5 Press
Published: 2021-03-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Laurel

I feel such a rush of relief when I see Mateus walk down the hall at the police station, but at the same time, I’m a little annoyed with myself. I had let go of needing somebody a long, long time ago, ever since Cory’s birth. Then I realized it wasn’t that I needed him there, it was that I wanted him there, and that was terrifying. I can’t figure the need versus want thing.

I’m also slightly confused as to why he’s following me out to the car. I know he wanted to talk to Detective Carlson, who I barely recognized, but I’m exhausted and sick of being exhausted. Bryce, it turns out, dropped him off and he’s driving home with me.

I’m stiff and sore and I walk to the car like an old lady. Then I think of how he walks every day and immediately feel guilty.

“I’ll drive,” he says with such authority it doesn’t even occur to me to argue. Then the situation hits me: he is going to drive me home. This means I either have to change the appointment to meet with Ms. Kram or cancel all together or have Mateus wait in the car. The first two options don’t seem very mature but making him wait in the car for God knows how long is presumptuous on my part.

I decide to just fess up. “I didn’t know you were coming with me. I have to stop by the school again and meet with Cory’s teacher. And the principal.”

“Tell me where to go,” he says and spreads his hands wide on the steering wheel.

I point us out into traffic.

Rockland’s a working harbor, with ferries to Vinalhaven, Matinicus and North Haven, a fish wholesaler, several fish retailers, lots of shops and an art museum. I have him continue on Route 1 down through Thomaston and turn into a small, clapboard white schoolhouse.

“This won’t take long, at least I hope it doesn’t,” I say and slam the car door. I can tell part of him wants to follow me. It’s in his training, I’m sure, but this is not his business. It’s why I can’t have other people in my life right now.

As I step up onto the sidewalk, the Lexus window slides down.

“If it helps at all, you look adorable in that jacket.”

It’s an old purple light down windbreaker thing with a fur fringed hood.

It doesn’t help, but it’s nice.

Saying something causes PTSD is a strong statement and ever since Finn and Bryce showed up, who are ex-military, I’ve been reluctant to use it, so I won’t, but triggered, is a good word as in, “these halls still trigger me.” Because they do.

Although Principal Thompson is very different from Principal Dooley, who was short, wiry and mean, with a brilliant red, beehive hairdo and long red nails, I still feel like I’m the one getting called to the office. I guess I am.

They are waiting for me, and although there’s supposed to be a fourth person, the social worker has not arrived yet.

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