Page 125 of Timelessly Ours
“I’ll get there someday,” she says, reassuringly. “I guess I just don’t have as much to live for as you do.”
My eyes well and I reach for her. She meets me halfway and wraps me in her strong arms.
“You and my cat are the only living creatures I’ll ever hug.”
“Thanks, Sylvie. You know I was hoping today would be some kind of closure for us.”
She shrugs. “It was. In our own special way.”
“Take care.”
“You too. I’m going to park this thing here and call myself an Uber. You need me to come inside or you good?”
“I’ll be alright. Thanks for driving.”
I’m nauseous when I get in the house. I head up to my bedroom, vomit a whole lot of nothing and lie down.
33
I missed three calls from Rory’s school since practice ran long. The last thing I need is for Mrs. Matthews to complain about another inappropriate thing that Rory or her nanny did after school.
It would be the fourth time since Nicole started that this woman has called me with a complaint.
As soon as Grove leaves my office, I’ll call her back as a courtesy. But maybe I’ll call Nicky first just to see what I’m in for.
“What’s this about, Collins?” Grove asks.
“Jeff is coming to my office Friday. I need to confirm something before he does."
Grove stares back at me and waits.
"I need your word that you won’t repeat what I’m about to tell you."
He shrugs. “Something tells me you have no choice.”
I stand and start round my desk. “I have suspicions that Robbie Hastings is behind our bad luck lately."
Grove scoffs. "Oh yeah? Think he'll let us borrow his magic wand and reverse the spell?"
I glare at him. His mockery pissing me off. "I think he might have a relative on the team. A very close relative."
He doesn’t respond and sits back in his chair, waiting for more on my assessment.
So I give it all. I don’t hold back. The only thing I leave out is that Nicole had planted this seed in my head. I won’t get her involved in the slightest.
Grove glares at me. “That’s all you got, huh?”
My jaw tightens. “That’s all. I don’t have proof. I just know that we’re losing and we shouldn’t be. My strategies are solid. They always have been.”
He sighs. “Yeah. I agree.” He stands and paces my office for a minute. “Without proof, our hands are tied. You got a plan?”
“I do.”
I’m pacing my office when the door finally opens and Garret walks in, eyes full of question. And maybe a little fear? Grove is behind him.
“Have a seat on the couch, Garret,” Grove starts, sounding a little too cheerful. He doesn’t sit beside him. Instead, Grove leans against the wall next to me, rubbing his chin. “Great practice today. Really giving it your all out there. You always were one we can count on.”
“Thanks, I’m happy to—”