BAYLEE
The sun is crestingthe sky. Leo’s asleep at my side. In a panic, I sit up.
Why did I have to say all of those horrible things to Maverick last night? I was exhausted from working nonstop, and I lashed out at him when that’s the last thing I wanted to do.
In the light of day, I hear my words and cringe at my self-doubt and insecurity. The man has bent over backwards for me since he’s been home, and I break up with him? What the hell is wrong with me?
I kick off the light blanket and run down the hall.
“Mav!” I fling open the bedroom door.
The bed is made.
I run to the closet. It’s empty.
He left without saying goodbye. Gut-wrenching sorrow overpowers me, and I slump onto the floor.
If I was looking for a sign, I guess I got one.
I grab my phone, hoping he might have sent me a message, but there’s nothing.
In my misery, I call the only person who would know whatI’m going through. My voice is thick when my mom answers. “He left.”
“He’ll be back,” she says like she has this all figured out.
“He didn’t say bye.”
“I’m sure he’s hurt.”
“Mom, I feel like shit. Stop giving me mixed signals. I thought I did the right thing last night, but I miss him so much, and I can’t breathe.”
“It’ll hurt for a while, but then it’ll get better. That boy needs to figure out what he wants in life. You two dragging this thing out right now is the worst thing for him.”
I unroll some toilet paper and blow my nose. “I don’t like you very much at the moment.”
“I can take it. Be mad at me.Pero digo la verdad.” I speak the truth.
“I don’t want to go to work. Can I just sit on the bathroom floor and cry?”
She hums. “Your butt will fall asleep on that hard tile. Plus, who will feed Leo?”
“Point taken. I need to go.”
“Are you planning to stay at Maverick’s condo?”
“No. Everything reminds me of him. Plus, I don’t want him to feel like I’m using him. I’ll go stay in Beau’s camper. Pay him rent that I can afford.”
“Baylee, I know this is hard. I wish I was there so I could make you a big bowl of fideo, some extra-crispy sopapillas with honey, and a mug of hot chocolate.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’d settle for a hug.”
After we hang up, I wash my face. I stare at my swollen eyes in the mirror. “Get your shit together. You have a kid, clients, and employees to help today.”
My legs feel like concrete slabs as I trudge back to the living room. Leo’s babbling from his basket.
I sit up on the edge of the couch and reach down to pick him up. I stare down at his chubby face. “I can’t freak out if I have to take care of you, can I?”
I spent half the night trying not to make a sound while I half-choked on tears. Maverick had gone to his bedroom after that horrible conversation. I was still awake when Leo needed his two a.m. feeding. I’m not sure what time I passed out at, but I figured Maverick would wake me before he left. To say what? I’m not sure. Just… something.
