He paused and faced me."We've worked together for a long time, and I respect you.But I have to say something.You'd be stupid to let that woman go.She loves you."
That made me pause."How do you know that?"
"I can tell by the way she looks at you.And you're going to throw that all away because her mother disapproves of your relationship?Then you never deserved her."He walked away with that parting shot, his tone filled with disgust.
I couldn't even be moved by his words.All I could think was that I was an idiot.I should have known that she'd cave to her mother.Hadn't I seen all the signs the last time her mother was around?
Belle could have taken a stand with her mother, but she didn't.Instead, her mother demanded she take her to lunch, and she complied.
I refocused on work and refused to check to see when Belle was back.If she was upset about spending time with her mother, then that was her problem.She was the one who did that to herself.
All I could think about was that Belle hadn't stood up for me.I couldn't see past it.She hadn't chosen me.She'd picked her mother.
I worked longer hours than usual, double-checking that everything was done according to code.I prided myself on never having any issues with the county inspectors.My work was impeccable, and a dalliance with a client wasn't going to loosen those standards.
Usually, I went inside and spent the evening with Belle.But not tonight.I felt sick over what had transpired earlier and needed time to cool down.Instead, I got in my truck and headed home.I didn't want to talk to my brothers or hear what they had to say.
Rob had said enough.And his words hadn't landed in a good place.
I knew what was happening, and I knew what I needed to do.I needed to distance myself from Belle to protect my heart.She'd always cave to pressure from her parents.Eventually, she'd realize that I didn't fit into her future, and she'd break things off.
Then there were my feelings about how she was acting.I didn't like that she'd gone with her mother, that she hadn't defended me or our relationship.I didn't like any of it.
Maybe I shouldn't have gotten involved with her.But it was too late to go back and erase the last few weeks.
Instead, I went downstairs and punched a bag.I usually kept fit with my labor-intensive job.But when I was feeling unsettled, I liked to take it out on a punching bag.
Hopefully, when my knuckles were sore, I'd have more clarity about the situation.But by the time the sweat was dripping off my face and my hands were sore, I didn't feel any better.I was still upset with Belle, her mother, and her dad.Even Rob.Who did he think he was to tell me about my love life?
Rob claimed that Belle loved me.But what difference did it make?At the end of the day, I wasn't good enough for her.Love couldn't overcome those kinds of barriers.Rob didn't know what he was talking about.
He probably never encountered this situation before.He stayed in his lane, marrying someone whose parents approved of him.
I hadn't done that.So he had no idea what he was talking about.Then I realized I didn't know much about the personal life of my crew.I purposely didn't ask them about how they spent their evenings.Maybe that was a mistake, but it was the truth.
If I kept my distance from everyone, I couldn't get attached to them.I wouldn't be upset when they left or got another job.
I showered, hoping cleaning off the day's dirt and sweat would make me feel better.But it didn't.When I checked my phone, Belle had left a message.
Belle: Is everything okay?You usually stop by after work.
Maverick: I was tired.Needed to get some rest.
Belle: Let me know if I can do anything to help.
There was nothing she could do to help the situation.As I lay in bed, I remembered how raw she'd felt when she had lunch with her mother last time.How I'd been there to help her through it.I didn't want her to be upset, but I couldn't get past the idea that she had done this to herself.She let her mother pop into her life, drag her to lunch where she pontificated on her life choices, and make her feel bad.
This was a self-inflicted kind of pain.And I couldn't stand by and let it continue on my watch.Especially when I was positive her mother was steering Belle away from me.
It was only a matter of time before Belle listened to her mother's advice.I wasn't the man for her.Hell, she'd probably close her bookstore and go back to school to get her doctorate.She'd be a professor at some prestigious college in no time.And I'd be laying pavers.
My business was successful, but it was nothing compared to what Belle's parents wanted for her future.I was removing myself from the equation.I told myself it was to make Belle's life easier.But it didn't feel good.
