“You’re lucky that I was able to get this taken care of, Ari. You really need to try and avoid this girl, especially if she’s going to go out of her way to get you in trouble. ” Mark said. Then, he looked at me and gave me a look that should have killed me on the spot.
“I know, but I really didn’t expect her to be there, Dad. ” Ari hugged her dad one more time before she headed over to where everyone else was still standing.
I needed to take care of something, and I needed to do it right away.
As I walked back over, I heard Heather jumping all over Josh.
“I swear, Josh, if you look at my breasts one more time, I’m going to haul off and punch your ass. ”
Josh started laughing. “Wow, a little time in the slammer and you’re all bad ass Heather. ”
“Push off, Josh. ” Heather said.
Josh walked up to Heather and leaned in to ask her something. Heather took a step back and walked a few feet away from everyone. Josh followed.
Jesus, this group of friends, I swear.
“I’m starving from my time in the slammer. Can we grab something to eat before we head back?” Ellie asked.
“As long as it’s quick, sweetheart. My mom called this morning and said that she and Dad would be in around six tonight. ”
Ellie clapped her hands and jumped up in the air. “Oh my gosh! They’re coming in a day early. Let’s just head back to Mason then. I know Heather wants to go home. She plans on coming back out tomorrow and staying until Thursday morning. We can just drop her off on the way home. ”
Just then, Heather walked up and kissed Ellie on the cheek. “Thanks, Ells, but I’m just going to have Josh drop me off. ” Heather said.
She walked up to Ari and hugged her good-bye.
“Thanks for the interesting day, Ari. If you need anything, you know you can give me a call anytime, right?”
“Thank you Heather. I love you, girl. I think it’ll be okay,” Ari said.
We said our good-byes, and I watched as Josh and Heather walked away. Ari and I stood there, not saying a word.
“You ready to go, Sweetheart?” Gunner asked Ellie.
Ellie nodded and took Ari’s hand. They started to walk on ahead.
We had to stop three times so Ari could use the restroom. What the hell was wrong with her? Ellie kept saying it was her nerves.
I took the opportunity to step outside the truck to call Rebecca.
“Jeff! Hey! I tried calling you this morning, but couldn’t get through. ”
“Is that right? What were you calling about?”
“Well, I’m sure you already know the answer to that. I’m guessing you’ve already been to the police station to bail your crazy girlfriend out of jail. ”
I instantly got pissed. I didn’t want to get Rebecca upset, so I pulled the phone away from me and took a deep breath.
“I just want to know why you didn’t drop the restraining order like you said you would. In fact, you did a one-eighty Rebecca. Why were you at the doctor’s office today? I thought your appointment was next week. ”
There was nothing but silence.
“Rebecca? Are you still there?”
“I um… I had to change the appointment because I was having more Braxton Hicks contractions, and I got worried. But Dr. Wyatt said everything was going to be okay. I just need to take it easy. I’m so sorry you couldn’t go. I wish I had a better way of trying to get a hold of you besides your cell. ”
I saw Ari coming out of the store. She was drinking down a bottle of water like she was dying of thirst. Fuck, I hope she’s not getting sick.