“That’s Meredif,” Gracie said, taking his hand. “She takes care of us good, but I wanted you.”
He gave Gracie’s hand a squeeze. “I see you got the car. Thank you.”
“The accident happened right in front of the school and it didn’t need to be towed. The school called me. I’m listed as the person to call in an emergency.”
“Well, I can’t thank you enough.”
Charlie was climbing up his leg, so he let go of Gracie, grabbed him up like a football, and headed to the Suburban.
Gracie and Jack followed. Meredith walked over with two small bags as he buckled everyone in.
“I hope Mrs. Davis is okay. I can help out more after next week, after exams.”
“I’ll tell her. Thank you again.”
“Lead the way and I’ll follow you,” Vance said as Matt slid behind the wheel.
—
Matt had sent Vance on his way with the rental car several hours ago. It took some doing, but he’d finally convinced Abby to relax in a bath and let him get the kids fed and bathed by himself.
Her phone rang as he came in from taking out the empty pizza boxes. He saw the caller’s name on the screen and answered. “Hello?”
“Hi. This is Angie, Abby’s friend. We met—”
“I remember. Abby’s taking a bath.”
“Good. I talked to her this morning, so I know she’s okay, thank the Lord. Now I want to talk to you.”
Abby’s friend did not sound happy. “Okay.”
“I’m going to be up front with you because my kids will find me in the closet any second. You don’t deserve her. And before you get all bent out of shape and say I don’t know you, you’re right. I don’t. But no one deserves Abby. There’s not a sweeter, more loving person—”
“You don’t need to tell me that.”
“Well, I’m going to, so you can listen. She had a really shitty childhood and then a shitty husband, and I suspect I don’t know the half of it. I wasn’t Josh’s biggest fan. In fact I told Abby to divorce his ass when I found out she took a cab home from the hospital after giving birth to Annie.”
At those words, Matt pinched the bridge of his nose, resisting the urge to slam a fist into the wall.
“And do you think she complained about it? Ever said a word against him? No, she didn’t, and do you know why?”
No. He couldn’t imagine why she didn’t ask for more. “Why?”
“Because she’s used to it. She expects it. She pushes people away rather than have them in her life and then deal with the pain she knows will come when they leave. But, God knows, she’s so in love with you she can’t even protect herself.”
He heard the tears in her friend’s voice.
“So, if you don’t plan on sticking with her, then I’m asking you to let her go.”
“Not going to happen.”
“If you hurt her, I will try my best to kill you. I know you’re a special black ops secret agent man and all, but I promise you, I can do some damage.”
“I believe you. And I can promise you, you won’t need to.”
Matt hung up, glad for Abby’s friend, her loyalty and love. Abby deserved it. But did he deserve her? He’d told himself he didn’t have a choice, but that wasn’t true. You always have a choice.
He’d been dumb enough to think loving her was enough. It wasn’t. Not by a long shot. He’d convinced himself he didn’t want to quit, that he couldn’t, but everyone had seen through it. Tony, his CO—everyone except Abby. She’d never even considered the possibility that he would choose her.
If he’d met her before T died, he wouldn’t have considered anything else.
Did Teddy see it? If he were here now, would he say “Forget your promise”? And if he’d already known Matt was getting out, what had he meant?
If Abby had died, Matt wouldn’t have given a shit about anything, about any promise past or present.
He stared at his cell. He had other calls to make.
Chapter 30
Abby stood in front of her dresser, watching the man she loved move toward her in the mirror.
“Hey. How do you feel?”
“Fine. You survived.”
“Yep. Almost turned into the Battle of Waterloo, but I prevailed. How’s the head?” He leaned down and laid a gentle kiss to her temple.
“Fine.” She swallowed, a million wings beating at her stomach. Her head was fine, but her heart felt sick. She’d told Matt she needed him and it was the truth. But it wasn’t the whole truth. And there was a look on his face now that made her even more nervous. “What’s wrong?”