As I start making my way back to the laundry room, my phone starts ringing.
“Izzy,” I answer, excited that it’s her. I want to share the latest developments between me and the dirty officer with her.
“He’s married, Shay!”
I drop the sheets in front of the dryer at the sound of her panicked voice.
“Who’s married?” If she’s talking about my officer, she’s wrong. Link never got married. And from what I’ve heard sinceI’ve been here, he hasn’t even had a girlfriend since he patched in.
“The doctor.”
The doctor? Oh, that good for nothing son of a bitch. Married?I swear I’m going to kill him.
“Like married and separated or likemarriedmarried?” Because if he and his wife have been separated for some time that’s a different story.
“Married as in she walked into the steakhouse today and kissed him on the mouth. Married as in she was talking about buying cookies for his mom and scotch for his dad. Married as in she told me not to spill water on her husband’s lap. Married as in her diamond was blinding me. They’re planning to start a family, Shay. All this time he’s been lying to me. Every fucking word that came from his mouth was a lie.”
That motherfucker better hope he never crosses my path. I will taser his balls and make it to where his dick never rises again.
“Oh my God. That fucking bastard. I’m so sorry, Izz. So damn sorry. So, what happened? What did you do?”
“I left. I left him and his bitchy wife, and I got in my car. Now, I’m driving home, and he keeps texting me.”
“What’s he saying?”
“He says he wants to explain.”
“Explain what?” There isn’t a damn thing the bastard could say to make it okay.
“I don’t want to hear anything he has to say. I trusted that man. I trusted that man and he lied.”
I can hear the pain in her voice and I wish I were with her. Holding her tight.
“I’m so sorry, Izz. I know how much you cared about him.”
She was picking out flowers and baby names. God, I hate him.
“It hurts, Shay.” And here come the tears. “I thought he was the one.”
“I’m coming to see you.” There’s no way I’m going to leave her alone to suffer.
“I can’t ask you to do that. It’s almost a two-hour drive.”
“I’d drive twenty if I needed to. Let me just tell the guys and then I’ll be on the road. Give me a couple of hours, okay?”
“Thanks, sis,” she says through her sobs, and I can’t get out of here fast enough. I swear I’m going to perform a surgical removal of the evil doctor’s dick and send it off to a school for dissection.
“That’s what I’m here for,” I say. “Look, I’ll be there soon, and I promise I’ll make you my chocolate chip cookies.”
As soon as we hang up, I go knock on the door to the meeting room, hating that I’m interrupting church. It’s the one time of the week the guys say is sacred. But I don’t want to leave without making sure they can cover the bar tonight.
“Shayna? Is something the matter?” King opens the door, looking concerned.
“I am so sorry to interrupt, but it’s kind of an emergency. Can I speak with Link?”
He’s out of his chair and stalking right to me. “I’ll be back in a minute.” He shuts the door behind him and turns, his intensity now tuned in on me. “What’s the matter, baby? You look upset.”
“Izzy just found out that the guy she’s been seeing is married. She’s really upset, Link. I need to go be with her. Is it okay if I leave? Can you guys get someone to cover the bar for the next couple of nights?”
