31. Take The Trash Out

THIRTY-ONE

TAKE THE TRASH OUT

Dessa

Over the next twenty-four hours, Garrett and I stay in bed, have sex, order room service, have sex, book our return flights, have sex, go to bed, wake up, and have sex. Thankfully, with online grocery delivery, we were able to order in some condoms. Even without, I'm sure we would have gotten creative. I snuggle deeper into his chest. My finger traces the intricate half-compass-half-baseball tattoo on his chest as I inhale his comforting scent. Being in Garrett's arms makes me feel safe. He's my safe space. If I think about it, he always has been. It's hard to say if we didn't spend those ten years apart if I would come to realize that or not. Things happen for a reason. Maybe we needed to go through that in order to be where we are now. Right now, there's nowhere else I'd rather be.

"I'm sorry."

His hand freezes on my arm. "For what?"

"For everything." I peer up at him. "For not believing you about Tony. That he cheated on me."

"He actually told you?"

"No. But his silence was pretty damning."

"Go figure. He can't even own up to his mistakes. It's the same old Tony, but somehow, he's managed to get worse."

I roll to my stomach, resting on my elbows, and look up at him. "What do you mean?"

His fingers caress my face as he tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. "He says I'm the jealous one, but it's the other way around. My sophomore year, I made the varsity baseball team. It was the same year Tony also made varsity as a junior. I got a scholarship to play Division One baseball at Florida State, but I went into the draft instead. Tony didn't get any scholarships and if he wanted to play professionally, his only chance was to try out for any league and hope he got scouted. The Seattle Warblers selected me as the first overall pick. For two years, I played in the minors until I was called up. Tony quit playing and went into coaching instead. He couldn't stand the idea that he was older than me, but I was better. He wanted everything I had, including you. When I told him I was interested in you, he swooped in and took what I wanted." His head falls back as he stares at the ceiling. "Back then, I didn't notice it. I thought it was more of a brotherly competition, but now it's more obvious than calling water wet."

My head falls. "I fell right in his trap."

He rests his finger under my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. "It's not your fault. I've changed. You've changed. The only person who hasn't changed is Tony. If anything, he's an even bigger narcissistic asshole than he was before. He lies and cheats his way through life. "

"Yeah, he lies like a Persian rug." I blow out a deep breath. "Also, I'm sorry for the ghosting comment."

He bends down, resting his forehead against mine. His thumb brushes against my cheek. "It's okay," he murmurs.

I shake my head. "No. It's not." I pull away from him. "I don't know why I said it. You've shown me time and time again how sorry you are, and I keep throwing it in your face. I'm sorry. Please know that I forgive you for what we'll no longer talk about." I huff out a humorless laugh before I bite my lips together. My stomach churns as I wait for his response.

With his finger under my chin, he forces me to meet his gaze. "I forgive you too."

He presses a soft kiss to my lips. When he pulls away, I blow out a sigh of relief. The dark cloud looming over me finally dissipates, but soon enough, another rolls in.

My shoulders slump. "I need to tell Georgia what happened. If I was in her position, I'd want someone to tell me. Tony can't get away with this."

"Based on his track record, it's best to tell her sooner rather than later. I'm sure he's already spun up a web of lies to make you look like the bad guy and him the victim."

"You're right. It's time to take the trash out." I reach over to the nightstand and pick up my phone. I pull up her number and send her a message, seeing if she'll meet with me once I'm back in Harbor Highlands. When I finish, I set down the phone. "We have a few hours before we need to be at the airport. What should we do?"

"I can think of a few things, and they'll all have you screaming my name." He rolls us over so he's on top and his mouth slants over mine.

Two hours and several orgasms later, we're at the airport. People rush past us while Garrett has his arms wrapped around me in a hug. Goodbyes with Garrett are the worst. It's my least favorite thing in the entire world. I swear we spend more time saying goodbye than actually being with each other.

"I'll call you when I land, since you'll arrive home first."

I nod into his chest. He presses a kiss to the top of my head. "Are you sure you can't come back with me to Harbor Highlands? I promise to make it worth your while."

His chest rumbles with laughter. "As tempting as the offer is, I have to meet with my agent, and the team has a big charity event at the local children's hospital before we start spring training."

I huff. "I guess the kids can come before me." I give him a teasing smile.

"Thanks for being so understanding. The kids appreciate it. But we'll text, call, FaceTime, and we'll plan for whatever we can in between. Okay?"

I nod. I'm afraid if I open my mouth, I'll tell him I love him. That I've always loved him. Our first time shouldn't be standing in the middle of a bustling airport saying goodbye.

He rests his finger under my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Later, Tater." His lips curve into a smile before pressing against mine. It's something I'll have to burn into my memory since it will be a while until the next.

"Later, Home Run Playboy," I whisper against his lips.

"Remember, it's Home Run Stallion." He winks.

When I'm in Harbor Highlands again, I head to Porter's. Rylee's working, and I need to tell her everything and ask for advice on approaching Georgia about the Tony's-a-fucking-idiot situation.

When I stroll through the door, she does a double take before her eyebrows pinch together. "I thought you were in Chicago?"

I flop down on a stool in front of her. "Do you want the long version or the short?"

"I want every detail."

In between customers, I fill her in on the whole Tony situation and how he tried to kiss me, but I finished it with Garrett coming to see me. "But my biggest issue is telling Georgia." I rest my chin on my hand. Rylee has always been our resident problem solver. While most of the time it revolves around relationships, any advice she has is worth listening to. Hence, why I need her now.

"No one wants to be the bearer of shitty news. On the other hand, she deserves to know. Your best approach is going to be honesty, and you need to do it without Tony around."

"I know. That's the plan. Georgia is amazing and I love our friendship. I'd hate to lose that."

"Unfortunately, it's up to her to decide who she wants to believe." She shrugs.

I nibble on my thumb nail, contemplating my game plan. "There's no way I'll go to their house. I have no idea if Tony is there or if he's still in Chicago. Considering she has her storefront now, I'll try there first. I'll be happy if I never see him again."

"But isn't that going to be hard when you're dating his brother?" She flashes me a wide grin.

I drop my head to the bar. Complicated comes back and rears her ugly head. "It's not like Garrett is super close to Tony. Their relationship has been teetering on the edge since before I dated Tony. I'll leave that one up to Garrett on how he wants to navigate it, and I'll back him."

"Awww. Look at you being in a relationship and making decisions. Soon, you'll be the proud owner of the baby balloon arch and declaring your love for your man."

When Rylee was pregnant, we sat in her kitchen prepping for her baby shower, and I got her to admit she loved Trey. Pats self on the back. "Let's back the baby balloon train up. Even calling this a relationship is a stretch."

"You light up like a Christmas tree every time you talk about him. You might not realize it yet, but I saw this happening months ago." She grabs a pint glass and pours a beer from the tap before passing it to a customer. She rests her palms on the bar and leans in. "Tell Georgia about Tony," she pushes off and rises to her full height, "and then dive headfirst with Garrett."

A laugh bubbles out of me. That's exactly what I want to do. As I push away from the bar, the sound of my stool scraping across the linoleum floor fills the air. "Wish me luck. I hope she doesn't shank me or something."

"Call me from the hospital if she does!"

I give her a wave and a hopeful smile over my shoulder as I exit Porter's.

It's still been radio silence since the first message I left Georgia. I'd hate to do an uninvited drop in, but I have to tell her. While sitting in my SUV, I pull out my phone and call her number, making one last attempt to reach her. The call goes straight to voicemail, so I try again, and voicemail. This time I leave a message. "Hi, Georgia. It's Dessa. Please give me a call. We need to talk. It's really important." I press end and blow out a breath before dropping my head against the headrest. No doubt Tony has already told her some bullshit story.

I drive downtown to where her store is located. I cross my fingers that she's there and she's alone. At the curb, I shift my SUV into park. A plain black awning hangs over the front as brown craft paper covers the windows, but they're illuminated by a light inside. She's here, or at least someone is. I step out and tug my coat tighter around me as my boots crunch in the snow on the sidewalk. Once I reach the door, I pull off my mitten and knock. Several seconds pass until Georgia peeks through a lose flap in the paper and glances at me. Then she disappears. I think for a moment she's walked away, but instead the lock clicks and the door swings open. I step out of the way and glance up at Georgia. Her hair's pulled back in a high ponytail and a purple cable knit sweater drapes over one shoulder.

"What do you want," she leans against the doorframe, crossing her arms, "besides trying to kiss my husband?"

I cringe at the words, not because I did anything wrong, but Tony now just gives me the ick. "That's not how it happened at all. I don't know what Tony has told you, but he is the one who made a pass at me. When I said no, he threw me out. I swear that's what happened."

Her face softens a fraction. "Why should I believe you, someone I've only known for a month, over my husband."

"Honestly, I understand it's hard to believe, and if the roles were reversed, I'd be hard-pressed to not believe my husband as well. But I know Tony. Right now, I have nothing to lose while he could lose everything." The tension leaves my shoulders. "This is what he does. Garrett punched Tony because when Tony and I dated, he cheated on me, and Garrett overheard him talking about it. Yes, it was in the past, but it definitely shows on his track record." I inhale a deep breath. Georgia stands in front of me, motionless as she absorbs my every word, her blank expression not telling if she believes me or not. But I continue anyway. "After the fight, Tony lied to me and said Garrett was jealous of my friendship with him, and that's why Garrett punched him." She drops her arms and wrings her hands together. I'm crossing my fingers that she believes me. "You're a great person, Georgia. We've only known each other for a month, but I love the friendship we've built, and I don't want you to get hurt. That's why I'm telling you all this. I'm sorry. Please call me if you need anything. Anytime." I flash her a tight-lipped smile. "Thanks for hearing my side. Bye."

With that, I stroll down the sidewalk and toward my SUV. Halfway down the block, I hear my name, and I twist around.

Georgia is only a few steps away. Her arms envelop my shoulders in a warm, tight embrace. "Thanks," she whispers. Hurriedly, she lets go and practically sprints back to her store.

Things may be okay between Georgia and me. Or I really hope so anyway.