“Girl you know you are my besties. I needed a break, Val,” I said, hating myself. “I just… I’m just struggling with where my life is going and I thought maybe it might be easier here.”
It wasn’t a complete lie, but it was not the complete truth, I just didn’t know what to do. Telling her and worrying her would not do anything productive except make her hover and she didn’t need to do that. I had removed myself from the situation. I should be fine, and once things had settled down, I could go back to my old life and things would be ok.
“You don’t lie to your bestie Beau, why do I feel like that’s not the whole story? Are you running from an abusive ex or something?”
“Oh god, no, Val,” I said quickly. “No, no ex. I’m just running from me.”
And some fucking psycho.
Another deep sigh made me feel even more guilty. “If you say so, love. I’m always here if you need me, no matter what. So, when you're ready to share with me, no judgement, I promise.”
“Valencia.” My voice cracked wanting to tell her everything.
“It’s ok, just take care of yourself,” she said. “Oh, I went by for your mail, and you had a package.”
“Don’t open it,” I said immediately. “Just throw it away.”
“What? You want me to throw away your package from Gucci?” She sounded appalled.
“Oh no,” I attempted to chuckled even though my heart was racing. “I was kidding. I have been getting some weird PR packages.”
I shut my mouth for fear of saying something else and telling her about my stalker.
“Oh, don’t get me started on weird PR packages,” she said, thankfully missing my hysteria.
“I know, thank God mechanical bull riding is profitable. The men and women aren’t so bad,” I said wistfully. “I won’t have to do too many brand deals out here.”
“Any hot cowboys catch your eye or some innocent small-town girl ready for a bad boy?” she asked, intrigued.
I relaxed, thankful for the subject change.
“Jude’s sister, Iris, is gorgeous but get this, she’s married and no one knows,” I said, putting my kettle on for tea, trying to distract myself.
“What?! No way!” Valencia shouted. “Sweet Iris? What do you mean, no one knows?”
I could hear rustling, and I was imagining her getting comfortable on the sofa.
“Apparently she married him to save her family farm,” I said, grabbing a tea bag. “Except he’s an ass but, Val, this man is fine as hell, rugged, bad boy vibes and he rode the bull with melast night. Dios mio, I could imagine fucking him on that damn thing.”
“You rode on the bull with a married man?” she shrieked. “Beau!”
“I… I didn’t know he was married,” I stuttered. “I didn’t find out until Iris found him flirting with me.”
“Beau, are you breaking up a marriage?” Valencia chuckled.
“Val, Iris said she hadn’t seen him since October, but he needed something from her so he’s staying around,” I said, wondering if I should check in on her. “I didn’t get a bad feeling from him except he seemed pretty?—”
“Beau, do you have a crush on Iris?”
“Uh, I mean she’s gorgeous, but she’s married,” I said quickly.
“Uh huh, like that's ever stopped you before,” she said.
“That was one time and I didn’t know she was married until after we slept together,” I defended myself.
“Well, I think you should give Iris a good time,” she said, the amusement in her voice was mocking me. “I mean it's not like her marriage is real and maybe…her husband might like to join in.”
I choked on my spit at the outlandish suggestion. Valencia cackled as I fought for my life attempting to breathe again.
