Before I head to work, I spend a few extra minutes to do my makeup and hair because no one wants to go to a salon where the stylist looks like death. It’s Sunday, but I still have a few clients.
Desperate for some caffeine, I grab a bottle of sweet iced tea out of the fridge and then accidentally spill some on Leo when we get downstairs. Damn it. “I’m sorry, baby. I’ll change you in a minute.”
I somehow manage to get to the salon early. I told Maverick I’d open with one of my employees, but I can’t bring myself to give a damn about that today.
When I get to the shop, there’s a huge box with a big bow waiting for me at the back entrance, and I immediately feel a wave of relief.
Maybe this is from Maverick. Maybe he doesn’t hate me after all. Maybe we’ll be okay.
After I bring it inside, I set it on my desk in the small office. There’s no note, but maybe there’s one inside. “Look, Leo. Mommy got a gift.”
He eats his fist as he watches me from his car seat. Smiling for the first time today, I pull the ribbon and tug it off the box.
When I open it, I freeze. It takes me a second to process what I’m seeing.
It’s a big box of shit. Maybe dog crap? Taped to the undersideof the lid is a photo of me, Mav, and Leo, but my face is scratched out.
What the fuck?
I think about that night I found the note on my car. About the hang-up calls and trashed bedroom. About my shattered salon window and slashed tires. Why is this person fucking with me? Who have I ever hurt so badly that it warrants sending me shit and harassing me?
I should call the sheriff, but that will make me late for my first appointment, and I still need to change Leo’s outfit. Overwhelmed, I quickly close the box and toss the container in a back-alley dumpster. Since that asshole used my own trash cans to destroy my salon with dye, I’ve thrown out anything gross in that dumpster.
As I stand in the alley trembling, I look quickly from side to side. Is someone watching me right now? Do they expect me to crawl into a corner and cry? To wail or rage or be afraid? Fuck that. Right now, I might feel like I’m falling apart on the inside, but I’ll never show it.
Tightening my jaw, I lift my chin, press my shoulders back, and march back to my salon.
Vera walks in as I finish changing Leo, and she waves a hand in front of her face. “What’s that smell? Did Leo blow a big one in his pants?”
“No.” I explain the “gift” someone left me.
“That’s fucked up.”
I don’t share that I hoped it was from Maverick or that we broke up, because that will only start weird rumors. Mav might be pissed at me, but he’d never do something like that.
Getting into my routine helps me calm down, but I’m emotionally spent. The day drags on, and around noon, I get a text from Paige.
Are you okay? Want to grab lunch?
Me: I’m not okay, but yes, I’d like to meet up.
Vera offers to watch Leo during my break, but I’m feeling extra needy and want baby snuggles, so I take him with me.
When I get to the Cactus Blossom, Paige takes one look at me and tosses her arms around me. “I’m so sorry.”
“He’s really mad at me. I just couldn’t do long distance. Nicole stopped me yesterday at the rodeo while you were in the bathroom to tell me all the stuff she and Mav discussed while hanging out at the high school, and it nearly sent me into a tailspin.”
“Aww, is that why you got quiet?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about it yesterday, but everyone was having fun, and I didn’t want to be a downer.”
She takes my hand and nods. “It’ll be okay. I’m sure you guys will work things out. Maybe give him a little space.”
Over lunch that I can’t bring myself to eat, I rock Leo and share the conversation I had with my mom.
Paige nods. “I understand where she’s coming from. I had friends in college who had long-distance boyfriends, and honestly, it rarely ended well. But I really do think you and Mav are different.”
After that box of shit, I can’t accept anything that would give me hope because I can’t handle one more disappointment today. “Would it be okay if I moved into Beau’s camper? I can clean it myself. I don’t want to put you out.” Plus, I’ll feel safer living near Paige and Rhett than being by myself in the condo.
