It doesn’t surprise me one bit that Mrs. Temple, a black belt in gossiping and bad-mouthing, spread some nasty rumors and insulting assumptions. “When you get to it, tell her to go fuck herself on my behalf,” I tell MC, throwing my head back to look at her.
“Andrea!” Mom protests.
“Tell her for me, too.” This time it’s Dad. My mother gives up, rolling her eyes with a groan.
Kev is forced to hang up when his wife calls him, which allows me to check my phone again. For over an hour, my family and I remain glued to our seats. It takes an advertisement break for us to finally move away from the TV. I’m in the kitchen, finishing a tall glass of water, when Maria Carmen joins me there. She comes to give me a tight hug.
“Our man will get out soon,” she says with delight.
“Ourman?”
“Sharing is caring,nieta.”
My mom comes in as well, and after a warm smile at the sight, she joins in on the action to embrace us both. “Everything will be better soon,” she whispers into my ear, still holding us.
These past few weeks, I’ve been the strongest I’ve ever been. Out of necessity, I unearthed a courage I didn’t know I had and powered through. I pushed myself further than ever before and gave everything I had to bring this plan to completion. But now that I’m tucked between my mom and abuela, held by a dual embrace that warms me to the bones, this wall of strength and badassery cracks. Right there in the middle of the kitchen, I break into tears of relief, the pressure finally lifting off my shoulders. Lex will get out. I did it, and now I can finally breathe.
Overtaken by a strange mix of joy, weariness, and relief, I let the emotions wreck me. My limbs give out under me, and we all end up sitting on the floor while they hold the pieces of me together. Mom whispers comforting words in my ear with a soothing voice while MC gently caresses my back and hair.
I did it. I fucking did it.
What the fuck are they doing? They should have been here already. Anxiously, I pace the room with my hands on my hips, eyes fixed on the door.
“Andy, you’re making my head spin. Come sit down,” Michelle orders. When I turn to her, she pats the space on the couch next to her,an inviting smile on her lips. With a sigh, I comply. In the stroller next to us, little Maddison is peacefully napping, her tiny body wrapped in a yellow blanket.
It took the prosecution two days to file a motion to dismiss the charges. That same day, the judge issued an order of dismissal. And the day after that, today, he was released. Kev went to Sheridan early this morning to drive him back to us. I didn’t offer to join in, despite every atom in my body craving it. The talk Lex and I will have about what I did to get him out will probably be intense. Better not have it while we’re stuck in a car for hours. Four hours and… eight minutes, so far. That’s when Kev texted Michelle and me to let us know they were on their way home. I’ve been jittery ever since.
We’re all gathered in Lex’s apartment, impatient to see him. Shelly’s here, but also all three of Lex’s sisters, organizing the food on the kitchen counter. I didn’t know what Lex would want after three months of prison food, so I went wild and ordered some of everything. We’ll share this eclectic buffet together to celebrate Lex’s return. Evora couldn’t make it, stuck in New York for business, and we didn’t want to invite anyone else. Lex will need some peace and quiet after everything he’s been through, so too many people would be overwhelming.
A noise comes from the hallway outside, and I jump to my feet again, as if mounted on springs. Shelly lets out a soft laugh behind me, but I ignore her. Yes, I’m impatient—like a puppy about to see her favorite person again.
The noise turns out to be a false alarm, so I sit back with a disappointed pout. “Breathe, darling,” Michelle tells me, passing a hand over my back, soothing the fabric of my dress.
For the occasion, I picked the cute red dress I wore on our first date together. With a cardigan on, it doesn’t look as bold as it did then, but I’m sure Lex will appreciate the attention. Getting ready was like a ritual. For the first time in forever, I took care of myself. I took a bath, shampooed, did a hair mask, waxed, shaved, plucked, exfoliated, hydrated… I’m soft like a peach everywhere that matters, and I hope Lex will not only notice but also make the best of it. I even put on makeup and jewels. I feel human again. I feel like a woman.
“So, how have you been doing?” Michelle asks, kindly offering me a distraction.
“Well, much better lately.”
She chuckles, seeing how generic her question was. “Other than… you know… did your sick leave do any good?”
Oh boy, it for sure did. I nod with a thankful smile.
“I’m glad it helped. Do you think you’llkeep—”
Her question is interrupted by the doorbell resonating in the apartment. In a second, I’m up again and rushing to the door. My hands tremble with anticipation as I unlock it and swing the panel open.
When my eyes fall on Lex, a series of shivers runs through my entire body, nearly making me buckle from their intensity. He’s here. He’s really here.
The fact that he isn’t wearing a prison uniform, but a pair of jeans and a simple light gray T-shirt with a jacket, is enough to send my heart humming with joy. His familiar eyes meet mine, only for a split second, and then look away. He’s so handsome. And now that he isn’t in his prison khakis, I realize just how hot his beard is, especially with the dent in his eyebrow. He looks like the cyber pirate he is.
Not holding back, I impulsively lunge forward and wrap my arms around his broad torso, plastering myself against him, pressing the side of my face onto his solid chest. I missed him so fucking much.
A sense of familiarity floods me as I hold him. Even with all this, he still smells like himself, the scent faint but there. Against my ear, I hear the regular and strong beat of his heart, and this, too, I’ve missed greatly.
Lex. My Lex.
I’m holding him again. He’s right here.
