Page 43 of The Me I Left Behind

With one hand, she quickly texted back:Yes.

The phone rang.Not wasting any time. “Hello?”

“My little vixen. Damn good to hear your voice. How are you?”

“Good. How are things there?”

She heard a deep sigh come from the other end. “Challenging. But I’ll muddle through.”

Dare I ask? Had he opened the door?When he’d left, he’d been so vague. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. Anything I can do?”What happened?

“No, no. Nothing to do.”

“Is your daughter okay?”Maybe that’s a way in. Sometimes he could be so secretive.

Another long exhale. “She was in a car accident, love. She’s okay but banged up somewhat. Bruises and cuts mostly. Jacked up the car, though. I need to deal with the insurance people tomorrow. Seems the other jackass didn’t have insurance.”

“Oh no, Max.”

“Yeah.”

“But she’s okay. Your daughter. What is her name again?”Honestly, why don’t you know her name by now, Lilly?

Another pause. “Oh, it’s Caroline.”

“Pretty.”

“We call her Carol.”

This time, she paused.Wecall her Carol.We. “I see.”

“I’ll be home soon, love. Just need to deal with this car shit. The ex- isn’t great at handling these kinds of things. Too flighty. She’d just make a mess of it, so I need to do it.”

“I understand, Maxie.”

He chuckled. “God, Lilly, you make me hard as a rock when you call me that.”

“Then get home fast as you can, Maxie darling. I’m getting a bit bouncy here.”

He growled from the other end, his voice lowering. “I may just skip the fucking insurance and catch a jet. How about if I call later, after you’re in bed? Wear that sexy red piece I got for you before Leo came. You know the one. Be ready for video.”

“Oh, Maxie, you are wicked.”

His growl deepened. “You have no idea.”

Eight

Four months later…

Standingat the bottom of the stairs, Maggie called up. “Carol! Tyler’s here.”

She paused briefly, listening, then turned toward the young man when she heard Carol’s lethargic response. “Coming.”

“She’s usually ready to go. Must be running behind.” It wasn’t like her, making the boy wait. Typically, she was at the door, jittering about on pins and needles.

“It’s okay, Mrs. Oliver.”

Maggie had grown accustomed to Tyler being around the past few months, particularly after they’d gotten past that horrid night in January. He’d been skittish around her for weeks, and practically jumped out of his skin anytime they mentioned Max’s name.