Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
TWENTY
Tyra
“How do you do it?” I ask Celeste at work a few days after she had her two days off work, bringing us to Friday morning. Mace’s weekend starts today after we both get home, not that we’re really sticking to a schedule now that he lives closer to Von and me.
“Do what?” she responds. The two of us are folding towels and sheets, a never-ending task at a salon. I mean, we’ve gotten smarter in our days, keeping multiple sets at the ready, but with four girls working here, Celeste talking about adding a fifth to the mix, we’ll need another ten sets without question.
“Make time for Wylder, own a business. I mean, you are both so busy. I know I’m in a different boat than the two of you, but it can’t be easy, right?” I’m doubting a whole lot, worried Mace is going to go back to the same routine as before. The unknown is eating me up inside, and there’s not one single thing I can do about it either.
“It’s like anything else, Ty. We make each other priorities. I lean on you to have two straight days off; sometimes, they don’t coincide with Wylde’s schedule, and when that happens, I’ll come have dinner with him. Is Mace working too much?” I stop what I’m doing, sitting down in the chair that’s in the break room, feeling sorry for myself.
“No, well, not that I know of. It’s the situation. I’m a fixer, and I can’t fix this. Silly, isn’t it?” I put the towel on the stack. It’s almost quitting time, not that it matters. Mace sent me a text telling me he’s picking up Von after school and he’d call later tonight.
“Not at all. Your feelings are valid. Don’t ever think differently. I will say this: Mace called, and the man I saw the other day is completely different than the man a year ago.” This is news to me. Mace mentioned he had some people to see Monday afternoon, but I figured it was work related
“Oh my gosh, really? And you’re just now telling me this?” I ask the questions back-to-back.
“Monday afternoon. Wylde was leaving for work. He only stayed a few minutes, but his words were more impactful than I thought he’d give me. Mace went as far as thanking us for picking up the slack, after he apologized.” She sits down beside me, taking my hand in hers, giving me the comfort only a best friend can give.
“Wow, he’s really trying, isn’t he?” The truth is before my eyes. Every night this week, he’s been home by six o’clock. Either I’ll pick Von up from school if my schedule allows it, or he will, then we eat dinner together, and he leaves once our son is tucked into bed, leaving me with a kiss that has my insides quivering, ready to beg him to stay.
“I’d say so. If you’re having doubts, though, Ty, you need to voice them to Mace. He’s not a mind reader. No man is really.” I’m pretty sure she’s speaking from experience with how she and Wylder started off.
“You’re right. I think my problem is I want this to work so badly that I’m scared it’s not going to, and I’m waiting for the shoe to drop.” Voicing my admission shouldn’t make me feel better. If anything, I probably should feel worse, but getting it out gives me a sense of relief.
“How about you head home? There’s nothing on the books for the rest of the afternoon. Everyone else has gone home. I’ll stay here until the laundry is done, not that I was going home anyway. Wylder is still working, which means we’ll either have dinner here or on the way home.” I go to say something. “No, Ty, you’ve helped me more times than I can count before, too. Let me help you. Plus, I drove in with Wylde.”
“Thank you. When Von falls asleep tonight, I’ll walk over to Mace’s place and talk to him because you’re right; he can’t fix it if he doesn’t know the problem.” I shrug my shoulders.
“I’ll tell you what you both need, and that’s uninterrupted time together. It’s hard because Von is your life. Mace is realizing that as well after losing himself. The two of you, though, you need to reconnect. Maybe see if you and Mace can get on the same schedule, take your two days, and allow Von to stay with one of the grands, take time for yourselves.”
“You’re right, thank you. I’ll repay the favor when there’s little Hayes running around destroying the hotel lobby.” I stand up and wrap my arms around her shoulders, kissing her cheek. “Love you. Tell Wylder you’re on your own, and I’ll make sure the door is locked on the way out.”