My stomach stutters with nerves for him. He’s going to be doing something that’s potentially very dangerous. I wish there was a chance that I could check in with him while he’s in the middle of this, but that’s not possible. “You’ll be careful, right?”
He smiles. “Always.”
Within thirty minutes, he’s gone and I’m left to my own devices. Yesterday it was kind of weird being in here by myself, even if I was trying to figure out how to work. Today, it’s going to be a bit of a longer time, and I know what he’s going to be doing. Well kind of know what he’s going to be doing. From what I can gather, it’s probably more dangerous than what he’s telling me.
I sigh heavily and look around at what I have to do for the day. It’s a lot of catch up on with everything that’s been going on. Pulling up my schedule on my phone, I look to see what I can possibly push back, and then make a plan to get started.
One of the ways I make money is by working while streaming. This is tricky, though. If Molly or one of Levi’s family members happen to watch, which they do, they’ll be able to tell this is Levi’s house. He has distinctive walls. Which is why I made sure when I purchased stuff to use yesterday, I bought a tapestry to hang behind me. There’s nothing individualistic about the table and chair I bought, so I’m hopeful this will help me keep where I’m staying private.
Once I know what I need to accomplish today, I head over to the counter and start making the cakes I’ll use for cake pops. This is second nature to me, I can do it without thinking of anything. It’s almost soothing, the way I can turn my brain off when I’m doing this. It’s what I’ve needed, and what I haven’t been able to accomplish with Cody always watching me. Just when I would get seated and start to work, he’d need me to do something, or he’d start an argument. It was annoying as fuck. It affected not only my business but my mental health, because I never thought that I could do anything correctly. Because my brain was divided into two separate places, I’d end up messing something up.
Now that I’m here, I’m looking forward to building myself back up, instead of being torn down.
As I start melting my chocolate, my phone rings, and I have to close my eyes and take a deep breath when I see Molly’s name on the screen.
“Hey girl,” I answer. “What’s going on?” Thankful that she’s not FaceTiming me for this phone call.
“Nothing much, just wanted to call and check on you. I know yesterday was rough.”
God bless her. She’s been by my side through every hard moment in my life, and sometimes I’m not even sure if I deserve her. “It was, but I’m doing okay. This AirBnB is super nice, and I’m able to get my stuff made. All in all, it could be a lot worse, but I’m just trying to make it through.”
“Is there anything I can do to help you? You know that I’ll do whatever I can.”
“I know, and I love you for it. I’ve got this though.”
“Mags, just because you can stand on your own two feet doesn’t mean you have to. You can lean on others,” she says carefully. “And it doesn’t make you weak. I wish you’d let me help you.”
“No, I get it, Molls, but I do have to stand on my own two feet. I got myself into this mess, I can get myself out of it.”
She laughs. “I have no doubt that you can, I’m just saying, I can help if you need it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” For a few minutes, I sit in the silence, before I finish. “I’ve gotta get to work.”
“I know, talk to you later. Love you, Mags.”
“Love you too!”
When we hang up, I text a quick message over to Levi.
M: I’m about to start working and I’m going to be streaming. So if you’re going to come home early, please text me so I can cut my stream off. The last thing we need is for someone to know I’m staying with you.
L: Will do, Magnolia Grace. But trust me, it won’t be nearly as bad as you’re assuming.
I don’t say anything to those words. Instead, I sit down and get to work.
“Hey everybody! Welcome to Sweet Magnolia Treats. We’ve got a lot of treats to make today. I hope you’re ready to spend some time with me.” And I settle in, to do what I love.
Chapter 15
Levi
Dakota and I are driving out to the property we staked out last night. My stomach rumbles with nerves as we get closer. “Are you as nervous as I am?” He’s driving, so at least he has something to keep his hands busy. I don’t, so I’m tapping along to the beat on the radio.
Dakota blows out a breath. “Yeah, but I’m doing my best not to show it. What if we do something wrong? What if they can see right through us. I mean we’re fucking rookies, honestly. We’re more likely to get killed than anyone else who walks into this situation.”
He’s right, and I’m doing my best not to think about it. “At least we’ll be together?”
He laughs sharply. “We’ve been best friends since Middle School. Of course I’m going to be right there next to you. There’s no one I trust more to be with me than you. But yeah, I’m fucking scared as hell.”
