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“Yeah, I probably shouldn’t have, at least until I’ve spoken to Tyra. The other night came out of left field and had her reeling. I figured after the call I got yesterday that you’ve made significant changes in your life. For that, I’m grateful.” She grabs a bottle of water out of the fridge, unscrews the lid, and takes a sip before finishing, “I hope you know Tyra never stopped loving you. I’m glad things are changing for the better, but just so you know, I’m apprehensive for her as well as Von.”
“Yeah, I think that’s the consensus with everybody. I’m not saying my actions are okay and that I shouldn’t have to deal with the consequences because believe me, I deserve them. It’s why I’m trying to let my actions speak louder than words. If Tyra and I don’t work out—” I stop talking because the thought of that happening again makes my chest clench. How a year passed us by, and I didn’t figure my shit out before then, I’m unsure. It was lonely as fuck. I hated every minute. My only thought was that I’ve lost everything. Why would I lose work too? At least it kept me too busy to think. “God, this sucks. Anyways, I’m going to do whatever I can to make things right. Dates, wooing, making sure my law firm doesn’t take over my life, and when the time comes that Tyra will remarry me, it’ll be everything she wants, including our home. I owe you an apology as well. I’m sorry that you and Wylde have had to step up in a way you never should have. I’m also thankful.”
“Mace, I do believe you’re on the right track. I’ll help out when I can, taking Von, of course, and be there for Tyra in any ways I can.” She sets her bottle of water down, walks towards me, takes my hand, and squeezes it lightly. I place mine over hers, relief that I’ve righted a few of my wrongs rushing through me. The rest will take time, but I’m willing to put in the effort because the wait will be more than worth it.
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.”
“Go, woman, before I change my mind and make you stay to help fold laundry. Love you,” she says as I grab my bag out of the locker we set up in the break room. That was done after one of the girls who used to work here was caught with one of Wylder’s then security team members trying to steal from the casino. Now we each have locks with a code, the code its own unique one to keep our stuff safe. Not that there’s a problem now, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
“Ew, please don’t change your mind. I already have a pile of laundry to do when I get home. I promise I’ll pay you back. Go call Wylder,” I toss over my shoulder as I head down the hall, ready to blow this popsicle stand, talk to the man who’s been taking control of my every waking moment as well as when I’m asleep. Jesus, the dreams and fantasies I wake up from have me riddled with desire, going as far as almost calling Mace to help sate my need.
TWENTY-ONE
Mace
It’s beena week since I’ve been inside Tyra. Seeing her only while Von is around makes it hard to do more than share a few stolen kisses. That’s why next weekend, Von is going to Tyra’s parents. I’m taking her out. I’d rather do it this weekend, but seeing how that would be poor planning on my part, not giving anyone enough notice, it would be difficult. Next time, neither of us will be driving, so we can both have a few drinks, and I won’t have to worry about picking up whichever car the next morning.
“Hey, bud, what do you say we call your mom and see if she wants to join us for pizza tonight?” I fish to see where Von’s at and if he’ll mind spending our night with Tyra. We’ve been doing this almost every other night this week. He seems to be thriving, not like he wasn’t before. Tyra made sure of that, but there’s more smiling happening in everyone’s life now that I’ve set boundaries for work and am truly trying my hardest to get us back to where we used to be.
“That’s a great idea. Can we all go swimming, too?” I make a mental note that the next place we all move into together either has a small pool in the backyard or a community pool. One that’s not so ostentatious and riddled with country club members. Yeah, I succumbed to that bullshit with the last house. Not one of my finer moments to say the least.
“If Mom says it’s okay, we’ll do that. Remember, don’t push if she says no. Your mom has been working all week, and she might be tired.” Fuck knows I am. I’m doing double the work in half the time these days.
“Alright. I say we put our bathing suits on and walk over. That way, it’s harder for her to say no.” Smooth-talking son of mine.
“That’s not a bad idea. Go grab your trunks. I’ll do the same after you get dressed.” He turns around, a sweaty mess from the after-school care program he’s in. He was out on the playground when I picked him up, disappointed because it’s Friday. The school usually holds a small ice cream party, and I interrupted, which means tonight, I’ll be in for a hot fudge sundae if not a banana split.
