NICK


    After I left, I didn’t care about a phone because I wanted some peace and quiet. I didn’t think of the mess my disappearance would cause back there. When Luke and his men showed up at the cabin, I was busy chopping wood. He didn’t ask questions when he saw me. the man rained punches <b>on </b><b>me </b>then threw me in the trunk of his car and drove me back here.


    That was why I looked the way I did. Coming back and finding Olivia about to be arrested, I understood Luke’s anger. His daughter was about to be arrested again because of me, that made me angry not only at the detective for doing a poor job but at myself for putting her through that again. She was right not toe back to me.


    I couldn’t protect her, the only thing I seem to be good at doing was causing her pain and sending her to jail. The way she looked was like she lost weight; my heart sank. I really have messed up her life and it was enough. I had to let her go and find her peace and happiness. But I must say, having her shouting at me and demanding answers got me both amused and ashamed.


    Amused because I felt like she cared for me and ashamed because I put her through that shit again. “Am sorry<b>, </b>my heart. I will fix things for you. give me a day and everything is going to be okay.” I didn’t wait for her to say more as I turned and left. When I got outside, I looked around. Fuck!


    I didn’t have a car or a phone to call one. Now I had to go back and ask for a phone. I knocked once and she opened and gave me her phone. She knew me too well. I thanked her and made a call to Owen toe pick me up. He was so excited to hear from me, I swear he sounded like he was crying.


    When I was done, I turned to give her the phone. She red at me not taking the phone and I couldn’t look at her long, so I lowered my head. “Stop fucking up my life Nick.” I nodded, this time I did not to it intentionally, but I got where she wasing from. She took the phone from me then got inside closing the door behind her.


    I sat outside waiting for Owen to pick me up. Right then, I knew what I needed to do. It hurt but it was clear what needed to be done. Owen stopped in front of the house and my mother got out first and I cursed under my breath. I didn’t need her shit today.


    “Oh, my son.” She hugged me and I red at Owen over her should. He just shrugged with a smile. he looked relieved. “What happened to you?” mother asked touching my face. Am sure I looked terrible. “I am fine, mother. Let’s go.” She wouldn’t keep her hands off me. “Mother. Let’s go.”


    She was ring at the door, and I took her hand almost dragging her to the car. I didn’t want her starting shit with Olivia over this, “She had something to do with this, didn’t she?” she asked when I closed the car door. “If you mean finding me and bringing me back then yes, she did.” Owenughed


    Mother red at him. “What are youughing at, do you see his face? His eye can’t even open!” Owenughed, there was one thing I liked about him. he wasn’t scared of my mother like Given and the others were. “Good, for once he has battle scars and they suit him.” I chuckled; Owen was a moron.


    “This is not aughing matter Nick, look at you.” I sighed feeling exhausted already. “Mother please, not today.‘ She wanted to say more but I took her hand and gave it a little squeeze. “You have already made peace with your brother. Don’t ruin that by making this more than what it is.” She looked at me for a while before nod”


    But I still can’t believe Luke put me in a trunk and drove four hours with me in there. I was lucky it was cold, or I would have suffocated to death in there if it was hot. Not that he cared about that but still. When we got to my ce, I asked Owen to call mywyer.


    “I hope that is to take Olivia out of your will. I can’t believe you left her everything.” Motherined but I said nothing as I walked inside with her following behind. I went into my room and stripped getting ready to take a shower. A picture of her on my bedside table caught my attention.


    I went and took it. she looked happy there with a huge smile on her face. I remembered when it was taken. She demanded to go to the beach, and I protested until she emotionally ckmailed me, and I took her. I just wanted to watch the game, but she wouldn’t hear it. when we got there, she got out and ran to the ice cream truck and got


    herself one.


    I remember watching her talking to ady that was in front of her and they wereughing. I wondered how she could do that, just make conversation with strangers like that and theyugh. She turned to me while stillughing and I took that picture.


    I sighed cing it back and going into the shower. If I kept going down memoryne then I was never going to do what I wanted to do. I showered and by the time I got out. Mywyer was there. “Good to <i>see </i>you man, people thought you were dead.”


    “What gave them that idea?” I asked taking a seat. “Police. Morons! “So, what can I help you with today?<i>” </i>I nced at my mother who didn’t seem like she was going to leave. “Mother, give us a minute, please<i>.</i><i>” </i>She scoffed and left mumbling something.


    “I want you to file these and see if you can’t speed up the process. I want it finalized as soon as possible.” I said giving him the divorce papers I had just signed. “I assume we are taking Mrs Jones out of the will now?” I shook my head<i>. </i>


    “You see this paper, to me it means nothing. In the eyes of God and everything that matters<b>, </b>Olivia is and will always be my wife. She still gets everything.”


    “You are such a moron!” mother saiding in.