We had a couple glasses of wine of the course of the five hours I was there. So I wasn't drunk enough to need a cab called. We had caught up on all of the local gossip over five years in fives hours but it was still a lot to digest. It seems the first year without me was extremely rough on Trenton. The reason Lou hadn't opened the door was she was afraid a old 'friend' of mine was paying her a visit.
The sun was just going down as I pulled into the hotel parking lot. I had a bunch of stuff in the room to keep me busy. I popped an old favorite into the DVD player and settled down with a Pino's pizza and a couple of beers. I was halfway through the third movie before Marcus came in. I was going to meet him when I saw who was with him.
Ranger. Marcus hugged me but I was stuck to the spot not moving, staring at Ranger, and he was staring back. Marcus led me back to the TV and sat me down; He and Ranger disappeared into the kitchen and came back with three beers. I took my and nearly downed it in one go. Both men looked at me and I gave them a weak smile. "Hi." I said.
Marcus signed to Ranger and he nodded. I was still in shock but I understood what Ranger signed back. I had an old friend like that. She was always getting herself into situations like this.
I gapped at them. They were having a conversation about my antics. In both of my lives, the one with Marcus and the one before him. But the most shocking thing said was:
That's why I married Michele. -Marcus
I would have asked her to marry me but then… Ranger shrugged. I bet he already told Marcus the story, but I didn't care. Ranger had just said he would have married me if Marcus didn't ask me first. I finished off my beer and pulled my cell phone off the end table.
When Connie answered I said, "I need you to…call him. I don't have his new number. I can't believe I didn't think about that before."
"What's up girl? Something wrong?" She sounded worried.
"You'll find out tomorrow. It was just a sudden thought. Please…"
She sighed and hung up. I put my cell down and I went into the bedroom. I pulled out a pair of black cargos' and a stretchy black shirt. After I had changed I went into the attached bathroom and put my hair into a ponytail. I had heard Ranger talking to someone one his phone and decided to make my move.
I walked into the living room and hooked my cell to my belt. I found my pepper spray in my purse and hook it to my belt as well. Both men were watching me. Then without looking at either of them I went back into the bedroom and grabbed my favorite hat. It was a SEAL's hat; Ranger had given it to me on one of our jobs.
I walked into the living room, gave Marcus a kiss and told him I would be back later. I got into my car and made my way to RangeMan. When I had left I still had Ranger's apartment key. I was hoping it would still work but I had my doubts. I waved to the desk guy and made my way to the elevator. It stopped at the fourth floor and picked up who I recognized as Lester and Bobby.
They just stared at me and got off at the fifth floor, the extra apartments. I continued to go to the seventh floor. I used my key and found it didn't work. So I sat on the floor leaning against the door. I only had to wait a few moments before Marcus showed up. He sat down next to me and watched me. Why didn't you tell me?
I put my head down on his shoulder. Because you didn't need to know. Do you think you would have married me if I blew up cars on a regular basis?
We sat quietly for a few minutes and Ranger showed up. I looked up at him, smiled, and jingled my now useless keys at him. A smile twitched at the corners of his mouth and he said. "New locks. Didn't want bad guys to get in."
Marcus helped me up and Ranger opened his door and led us in. I sat down on his couch and zapped on his TV. Both men decided to talk in the hall but I didn't mind, I heard the door close and Ranger sat down next to me. After a minute of me flipping channels he put his arm around me and held me to him. That's how Joe found us, shoulder to shoulder on the couch.