AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Fuck no. Tell Gray to fire me if he has to. Not coming home until the job’s done.”
“We aren’t saying that you have to give it up. We just want to help. One more week on your own and then you let us.”
My jaw clenched as I ground my molars together. I was stubborn, really fucking stubborn, but so were the assholes I worked with. We were all used to getting our way and I had no doubts about the lengths they’d go to if it meant bringing me to heel. “Ten days,” I tried to negotiate.
He stood, refolding and pocketing the list. “You’ve got seven.”
I fumed as he pushed the chair back under the table, he knew he had the upper hand. It wasn’t long but I’d figure out a way to make it work. My mind was already in motion, rearranging my plans.
“One more condition,” his hands gripped the back of the chair and my eyes dropped to the coffee stirrer, my patience long gone. “This one is coming from me, as your friend. Talk to her.”
A cold bead of sweat dripped down my spine at the thought. Was he fucking crazy? No way Mia wanted to hear from me after what I’d done.
“We saw her, me and Sam, we went to your house that night. It looked bad, I won’t lie about that.” Shame and embarrassment filled me. His words confirming how deeply I’d fucked up, how deeply fucked upIwas.
“You have nothing to be ashamed of, Gage. We’ve all been there. If you need to talk about it, we’re here. If you need to punch someone, we’re here. And so is Mia, for the record. Her only concern was you when she called. She’s a good one and I think if you lay it out for her, she’ll get it. Don’t throw it all away because you’re scared, learn from my mistakes.”
He rapped his knuckles on the table and left. I scowled at my empty cup until the employees started flipping chairs onto tables in an obvious attempt to get me to leave. Grabbing my gear, I started adjusting my plans while I walked. One week, seven days to put a plan into motion and protect them. Seven days to figure out if I could pull my head out of my ass and win her back.Fuck.
31
MIA
Staring at the box of shoes in my hands, I tried to think of anyone else who’d do something so thoughtful.
When I’d arrived for my shift at the restaurant tonight, the box had been waiting, a note with my name scrawled across it resting on top. Presents were not a common occurrence in my world and my suspicions were immediately triggered.
I’d asked Liz, Brooks and Bear if the shoes were from them and they’d all given me a version of the same confused look. Gemma had a firm stance on closed-toed footwear that she’d given me many lectures on, so she was out.
There was always the possibility they could’ve come from Roe or Sam. They’d both randomly been coming into the restaurant and flower shop, sometimes alone, sometimes together. Always with a flimsy excuse of why they’d stopped by, which I pretended to accept because not only did I like both of them but they were also my closest link tohim.
I was sure if I asked either of them about the shoes, they’d cover for him and take credit. Just like they had for the car that allegedly belonged to Roe’s cousin. An orphaned acrobat from the circus, give me a break. It was an obvious lie from someone who was a fantastic friend. Both of them would do anything to get me to accept another gift that was no doubt from Adam Gage.
I gently opened the box and pulled aside the tissue paper as if there might be a scorpion hiding beneath waiting to sting me. But there was nothing nefarious, just a size six and a half pair of all black athletic shoes, similar to what I was currently wearing except they were brand new and a much more expensive brand.
Blowing out a sigh, I stared at the gift and tried to come up with a reason not to accept it. After battling with myself for a good five minutes, I toed off my old shoes with the flat treads and holes in the back of the lining that I’d covered with duct tape so they didn’t rub my heel. Then I slid my feet into the new shoes, marveling at how the well-padded arch cradled my foot.
Since I was the only person in the room, I let out a small squeal of delight and ran in place. I may not be limping after a full shift tonight and that was a reason to celebrate even if they’d come from Gage.
The shoes were such a thoughtful present, I might even consider forgiving him if he ever showed his face again. The car, the shoes, they were generous gifts that held true meaning. They were things I sorely needed but couldn’t afford. A gift that made my life easier was worth a million boxes of chocolates. I bounced on my toes, allowing myself another squeal at how amazing they felt.
“I’m not saying new shoes isn’t something to be giddy over, but I usually save that reaction for something with a heel that makes my ass look the way it did pre-children.” Liz flopped down onto the couch in Brooks’ office and examined the note attached to the box.
“It’s not just the shoes, Liz, it’s the thought behind them.” I sat down next to her and kicked her boot with the toe of my new shoe.
“I’d love a man that would think about how beautiful a diamond tennis bracelet would look on my wrist and then buy it for me. They’re from him then?”
Liz had been surprisingly neutral when it came to Gage’s most recent disappearing act. I’d fully expected her to grab torches and pitchforks then lead the pack in hunting him down for hurting me. Instead, she’d told me to be patient, that he’d definitely come back. I’d resented her certainty at first, upset that my best friend didn’t appear to be on my side. Now, looking down at my new shoes, I shared more of her optimism than I wanted to admit.
“I think so, is it wrong to accept them if I’m still mad at him?”
“Hell no! I’m team Mia and Gage but there’s nothing wrong with making a man grovel. The shoes are a good start.”
“I think he’s breaking in and fixing things around the house for me, too.”
“That’s…sweet? Kinda creepy. Have you seen him?”
“No, I haven’t seen him.”
