Maybe it was the fact she was now in the middle of a field with her shake. Maybe it was the fact that she didn't apologize. Regret was somewhat consuming her thoughts. And that regret was developing into guilt. Part of her wanted to rush back and apologize, but the other part knew she needed some time to cool down.
The slight hum of his F-150 accompanied the sound of a Chris Stapleton song that was just as quiet, but peaceful enough to soothe her. Keeping an eye on a small family of deer grazing their way across the field, she knew she was on an unofficial clock: she either had to talk to him or keep her thoughts in.
As much as she wished to just say what was on her mind, she knew she had to craft her words carefully. Opening the notes app on her phone, she looked at the blinking cursor that was waiting for her thoughts to be written. Deciding against it, she closed out of the app and locked her phone when she saw her screen. A photo of Morgan looking at her onstage when singing Flower Shops to her. It pulled at her heart but she knew what she needed to do.
Switching the gear into drive, she began to drive away from the field and back onto the main road. 10 minutes out. Maybe she was anxiety-ridden today but she pulled over shortly to throw up on the side of the road. Getting out of the driver's side of the truck, she threw up near the passenger side into the grass. Bending over and throwing up, a familiar red, blue, and white pattern of lights began flashing on the grass in front of her. Great.
She took a deep breath when she heard the car door shut from the cop car before getting out the final sips of her shake from before.
"Ma'am are you okay?" a deep male voice echoed from behind her.
She turned around and gave a half-ass smile, "Sorry just anxious".
The blonde officer with piercing green eyes gave her a bottle of water which she gladly accepted and started to sip.
"Happens to the best of us. Can I get your vehicle registration and license? It's mandatory," he shrugged.
Going to the passenger side of the truck, Laney pulled out the registration and her license, which clearly didn't match. "It's my boyfriend's truck," she explained handing him the sheet.
Going back to the cop car, he ran her license through the system and Morgan's registration.
"Any proof of the relationship?" he came back asking, prompting Laney to show her lock screen which made him give a thumbs up.
The two stood in silence as Laney began gulping down more water to ease her nerves and settle her stomach from the riot inside her body.
"Are you good to drive?" he asked her.
She nodded, "Yes. Thank you!" before getting in the truck and letting the smile drop from her face as she continued to drive back to the house.
The drive back went by quicker than anticipated after the cop exchange she had. Parking in the driveway, she looked at the house for a moment before mustering the confidence to go inside of it. Her heart pounded as she turned the doorknob, which was already unlocked earlier. Before she could call out to him, she heard him speak, "Katie. That kid is yours and not ours. You made that clear," making her heart shatter.
As she gently locked the door she listened to the phone call that was occurring in the kitchen.
"I don't fucking care. I'll maybe help him with tuition but I have my own life with my own wife".
"Not now but someday".
"Goodbye Katie. Show up again and I'm pushing a restraining order. Keep my name out of your mouth".
