“Let’s get some rest and then we can talk more about it when we wake up,” Ezra says, grabbing a blanket off the back of the couch. “You look exhausted.”
“I am. I feel like a zombie.”
Rya rises from her seat, takes one last look at me and says, “Get some rest, babe.”
Exhaustion washes over me, pulling me into a deep sleep.
My eyelids flutter open, the haziness of sleep still hanging on to me as I blink away the morning light. I lay here thinking back on the last… I don’t know how many hours. I’m surprised I could sleep.
The quiet sound of the morning settles around me. Confused, I sit up and look around, thinking Ezra and Rya should already be awake. I can barely sleep as it is. I’m sure it’s early in the morning. I reach for my phone, and it says it is noon.
I gasp at all the missed calls and text messages from Haley. I swing my legs down to the floor, cussing. “Fuck.”
Haley: Good morning! How are the cupcakes coming along?
Haley: Since I haven’t received any word from you, I’m hoping it’s because you’re baking away. Smile emoji.
Missed call: Haley.
Missed call: Haley.
Haley: Hey, I hope everything is alright? I haven’t heard from you and I’m getting worried.
Haley: It’s okay if you weren’t able to get the cupcakes done. I need to know so I can go buy some beforehand.
Missed call: Haley.
Missed call: Haley.
Haley: Okay, this is getting frustrating. You're someone I trusted, and you gave me your word you could get this done. If this wasn’t something you could make happen, you should have let me know. Now I’m running around town trying to find cupcakes when I should be setting up for the party.
Before I even have time to think, I’m rushing out the door, running to my car, and heading to Haley’s house. It’s now a little past noon. Way too late to make anything. But maybe I can helpher find more cupcakes if she needs it. I could even whip some up at her house while the kids play. If she has the essentials.
My mind is all over the place. I should’ve called her first before racing over to her house.
So, I pick up my phone but all it does is ring until it goes to voicemail. She’s mad. She’s not going to answer my phone.
“Fucking Zayn.” I curse under my breath. His bullshit is now interfering with my business. Or is it me that is letting him interfere with it? Why am I doing this to myself? I should just walk away. This is all causing me my insanity and now it’s affecting my business.
I let loose on the gas pedal as I get to Haley’s street. Cars are parked in her driveway. Pink and purple balloons, tied to her porch, swirl in the air. It’s not even one yet. Why are there so many cars? Kids don’t show up this early. Do they?
I park my car on the side of the road, run up to the door, and press the doorbell. Shuffling sounds echo behind the door. The door swings open, and Haley appears in my sight. She’s dressed up in a scaly dress that makes her look like a mermaid. Her hair hangs over one of her shoulders, down her chest in a braid.
Right now, I’m focused more on my appearance than on the cupcakes. I haven’t looked at myself in the mirror since last night. Hell, I haven’t even brushed my hair or teeth, let alone washed my tear-stained face.
The moment she sees me, her wide grin falls.
“Haley, I’m so sorry,” I say. I should have thought of more to say than I’m sorry. But I’m too mentally and physically exhausted for this. I should have taken my advice yesterday and turned her down. I thought it would help keep my mind off things. All it did was make things worse.
Her arms cross. “Well, I’m glad you’re alive,” she says harshly.
I shake my head as I think of what to say next. “I don’t know what to say.” I take a step back. “I know I messed up, but something came up at the last minute and…” My words come out in a stutter.
Haley looks at me with her brows raised, as if this isn’t enough of an excuse. I’m so stressed that tears are now wanting to escape. I’m tired of crying so much. I’m tired of everything making me cry. All I do is cry now.
I let out a breath. “I really don’t know what to say. I’m here to try to make things right. I can run to the store for you and get whatever you need. If you have the essentials for cupcakes or a cake, I can bake something at your house while the kids play.”
My phone dings.
