Conner threw his hands in the air and walked out of the house. I ran into my bedroom and grabbed a change of clothes before meeting him in his truck. For most of the drive, we said nothing. We both continued to call Miranda’s phone with no answer. Eventually, her voicemail was full and we couldn’t even leave a message.
“I need to call Van.”
Conner turned to look at me. “You really think you want to talk to her about this? Isn’t Heather the one who Van caught you with? You really think she’ll believe you?”
I slammed my hands on the dashboard. “God Dammit! I don’t know what to fucking do. I messed up so bad. This isn’t just about losing my wife, I’m losing my whole family. Heather knew this would happen. She did this shit on purpose to ruin my life.”
Conner pulled over the truck and put it in park. He held his hands up. “Just hear me out. I know the shit is crazy right now, but neither one of you are goin’ to do any good to each other by hashing this out tonight. Let her get to Kentucky and calm down. Call Colt and Van if you need to, but just wait this out, Ty. I got a plan that might just save your marriage. I need you to calm down and trust me. Can you do that?”
I shook my head and stepped out of the truck. I just needed air. I was paying the ultimate price for what happened, but I didn’t care so much for myself as I cared for Miranda. If the roles were reversed, I would want to lay down and die, hell, I wanted to do it, just imagining I could never be with my family again. They were my life and they were gone.
I climbed back in the truck and turned to Conner. “Just turn around. I don’t know what you have planned, but I will give you the night to figure it out. Even if I went to Kentucky, there’s nothing I could say to convince her to come back to me. I know she’s done. You can say she will forgive me, but she’ll never be able to trust me or look past it. I need to face the music. She’s gone. My family is broken because I’m the biggest fucking idiot on the planet.” I beat my head on the dash.
Conner got us back home, but refused to talk about his big plan. He handed me a bottle of whiskey and a glass, before getting a shower and heading out. I couldn’t get how he thought he could fix things. He didn’t even know Heather.
I drank half the bottle before I had the nerve to call Van. She was yet another person who would never look at me the same. Colt was going to be so disappointed. It was good that he’d threatened to kill me if I hurt Miranda. At least I wouldn’t have to feel this pain for very long.
While the phone started ringing and I waited for her to pick up, I looked around the walls at all of the pictures of my happy life. My wife was the most beautiful woman, but it hurt to look at her, knowing the pain she was feeling. I needed her so much. I wished she could know that she was my everything.
Hello?
Van, it’s me.
Hey, what’s up?
From the tone of her voice, I knew she hadn’t heard from Miranda yet.
I think there’s something you need to know.
Is this where you tell me that you’re madly in love with me and we should run off to an island together? Oh God, she assumed I was home with Miranda and playing a joke on her.
No, this is serious.
Is Miranda okay? Is she in labor?
No, just stop talking for a minute. This is hard for me to put into words. I don’t know how to say this without having you hate me too.
What are you talking about Ty?
She left me, Van. She took Izzy and all of their things and she left me.
You are kidding right? Let me talk to her. You guys aren’t funny.
This isn’t a joke. I came home from work to a note and empty dresser drawers. She’s probably on her way to you guys as we speak.
Why would she leave you? What did you do, Ty?
For the next ten minutes I explained how I asked for Heather’s help in getting the paternity test altered. I told her how Heather caused us problems. She cut me off before I could explain the night I ruined my life.
Why would you call that bitch? You know she only wants one thing, Ty. She’s only ever wanted you
I know, Van. You don’t have to remind me. I was desperate. I know it was a mistake and when Miranda found out she was pissed. She sent Heather a text that set all of this into motion. Heather got pissed and said we could forget about our money and the papers. So, Miranda got this bright idea that I should go over to her house and pretend she left me. We just wanted her to feel sorry for me and get the damn papers, I swear. I was there for a short amount of time and she kept questioning my intentions. When she tried to touch me, I got sick. I came back to a cup full of liquor and the next thing I knew, I was waking up naked next to her. Van, before you say anything. I swear to you and to God that I never went there to cheat on Miranda. I don’t remember doing anything, but saying no.