“I’m okay, actually. Just like a period.”
Shenods, filling her mouth with food.
“Are you having any kids now that you’re married?” I askher.
“After Kate has hers, yes. But with us both running a businesstogether, it’s just too much right now. She’s got a little girlalready, too. Not hers, but still.”
“Not hers?”
“It’s actually her niece. Her sister’s out in Spain. She’s anactress. Lots of problems. She just came out of rehab.” She sighs.“You must think this family is nuttier than afruitcake.”
“Trust me, you have no idea. My best friend is myex-sister-in-law, my biological sister isn’t talking to me, myparents don’t even know that I was pregnant or that I miscarried,and my ex-husband is in Vegas with a girl he banged while we werestill married. Any questions?”
“Kate’s family is pretty whacky, too, for that matter.” Rubysupplies. “I mentioned her sister just came out of rehab, but herbrother was once in love with me, and now he’s running after someold flame that crushed him in two once, but is now divorced…it goeson an on.” She chuckles. I really like this girl. She’s sorelatable and non-judgemental. I could use more people like her inmy life.
“My sister is sleeping with her boss.” I supply, with a smirk.Then something occurs to me. “Wait a minute…did you say that youslept with Terence Daniels?”
“That’s right.”
“Oh my God…Jacob Daniels is who my sister is sleepingwith!”
Her eyesbulge. “His brother?”
“Yes.” I chuckle. “Jesus, what a small world it is,huh.”
“You can say that again.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Did you feel like you…changed…at all after yourmiscarriage?”
“In what way?”
“I don’t know. I just feel…different. Like somethingchanged.”
“It’s the hormones, honey. Nothing to worry about. It’snothing that won’t go away in a couple of weeks.”
I nod,jaw clenched. I sure hope she’s right.
Butsomehow, I feel like after today, there’s no turningback.
***
As I layin bed, I’m thinking about Maverick, and how much I miss him. Hecalled me after Ruby went home. He was checking on me. He wanted sobadly to come over and stay with me, but I told him that I wasn’tfeeling well, that I needed to go to bed, and he didn’t fight me onit. I waited, straining to hear him pull up, since he has a waylike that, but he didn’t. And I can’t help but wonder if maybe myinstincts are accurate. That he really only did feel something forme because of the baby.
Thetears start as I lay there, feeling so lonely I’d rather die,missing having Maverick next to me, holding me, telling me thateverything is going to be okay. I’m not sure why I believe him, butI do. Usually, it feels like lip service when someone says that tome, given that I’m such a bullshit-free type of person, but when hesaid it, I believed him wholly. And as much as I try to squeeze himout of my mind, all I can picture in my head is his face, as Ifinger the necklace around my neck, the most beautiful gift any manhas ever given me. And that includes anything that Will ever gaveme, for the record.
Sleepfinally comes, and the next day, I feel a little better. But Istill dodge Maverick’s call, when it comes just before breakfast. Isend him a text message shortly after, but it’s just an empty,truncated apology. I know that he doesn’t really want me, and Ifeel like I’ve let him down, at any rate. He wanted that baby, andI failed him. The more I think about it, the more I realize thatmaybe he's disappointed in me, no matter how much he said it wasn’tmy fault. And the pattern starts. Maverick calling me, and medodging his calls.
…until I can’t turn him away anymore.
***
Maverick
Mamasaid to give Ellie some space, but I had no idea she’d need thismuch space. “Have you tried just going over there, Maverick?” Rubyasks, getting ready for work, having breakfast withBlake.”
