Page 101 of Angels & Whiskey

I stayed in bed while Gabe left the room. He was the one who brought up the smell, and I was the one to bring up how he knew about it. I didn’t know it was such a big deal, but apparently it was. I could tell he was still hurting. I didn’t know when they broke up or how—I may never find out. Hopefully, since Gabe had dealt with his own share of heartbreak, he’d be able to help me with mine.

I found Gabe in the kitchen and we had breakfast and coffee. I thought about going to Club 24, but I was worried Rich would show up. The more I stayed away from my usual haunts, the less likely I’d see him. Afterward, we left to get my post-Rich life started by trying to get me some money.

Paul was still asleep when we left the house. Gabe mentioned that he had a date the night before and probably got in late. I still didn’t know what the two did for work. It was Monday morning and they both weren’t working. I asked Gabe again, but he only said he and Paul took time off to help me. He mentioned something about having clients with specific needs. Before I could get more details, we pulled into the parking lot of the bank where I’d thought Rich held our bank accounts.

I filled out the withdrawal slip and stood in line. I didn’t know the account number … didn’t even know if I was on the account. Since I had worked at a different bank for many years, I knew if I wasn’t on the account then I wouldn’t be able to pull out any money.

“I’d like to withdraw money from my account, please.” I handed the teller my driver’s license and the withdraw slip. “I don’t know the account number. It’s under my name and my husband, Richard Jones.” I smiled.

She took the slip and my ID and proceeded to type in things on the computer. “I’m sorry, I don’t see an account under your name.”

“It’s under my husband’s name, right?”

“I’m sorry but I can’t give you that information.”

I gave a tight smile. “Thank you.” I turned around to leave, but instead turned back toward the teller. “Actually, can I do a cash advance on my credit card?”

“Of course,” Jill confirmed. “It’s a five thousand dollar maximum.”

“Perfect. Let’s try that.” I didn’t know how much of a limit my credit card would allow. I wanted to get the most I could get. I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t thought of it sooner.

I was able to withdraw the five thousand dollars and we left and went to my old work. I wanted to see Brandi too. When we arrived, Brandi beamed when she saw me. After helping a customer, she came over to us.

“So … Guess I missed one hell of a party?” She laughed and sat down in a blue cushioned chair across from us.

“You can say that again.” I shook my head, still not believing everything that had happened. “You should be glad you weren’t there.”

“I wish I was there because I would’ve helped you.”

“It’s okay.” I looked over at Gabe and smiled. “This guy happened to be there and my parents helped me.”

“That’s crazy you showed up with Rich’s campaign manager. What are the odds?”

“Small world.” Gabe chuckled with a nod.

“Especially since you know Rich,” Brandi said.

Gabe groaned. “Don’t get me started.”

“Anyway. What are you doing here?” Brandi asked. “Shouldn’t you be in hiding?”

“Autumn’s not hiding,” Gabe hissed. “She has me and I dare Major Dick to try something again.”

“Again?” Brandi asked, giving me a questioning look.

“Remember he showed up yesterday?” I asked. I hadn’t given her every detail when I talked to her the night before on the phone, but I had told her he showed up at the house while we were there getting my things.

“Yeah, but you didn’t tell me that something went down.”

“Nothing really went down,” I groaned. “Words were exchanged and that’s it.” I leaned back in the plush chair and crossed my arms over my chest.

She held up her hands in front of her. “I understand. You don’t want to get into it now, but I want to know details soon. I know you didn’t tell me everything last night.”

“I’ll tell you soon.” I gave a tight smile.

“Okay, good. So what are you doing here?”

“I need you to withdraw the max from one of my credit cards as a cash advance and then open a checking account for me.”