Beating the Wrap by Julie Anne Lindsey

Author:Julie Anne Lindsey [Lindsey, Julie Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cozy Queen Publishing LLC

Chapter Thirteen

I wasn’t sure when Mason came home, but he was up and showered when I crawled out of bed just after dawn. He fed me toaster waffles and coffee without speaking more than two words at a time, then he drove me back to my place, where I could get ready for the day and drive myself to work.

I didn’t blame him for not wanting to talk to me, and I didn’t push him.

I’d ambushed him with my significantly overdue confession and blurted the details of what was possibly his darkest, or most shame-filled, secret. I’d clawed the scab off a still-healing wound and unearthed all that pain and grief with a few simple sentences.

Not to mention I’d derailed whatever he’d been working himself up to say to me.

But I was glad he finally knew I knew.

I applied lip gloss in front of my bedroom mirror and sighed at the reflection staring back. My sunflower yellow dress was vintage, cheery and bright. With a little luck, it would soon improve my mood, as great outfits often could.

The thing that bothered me most about my confession was whether I’d done it for the right reason. Had I said all those things so abruptly to clear the air before Mason said whatever he’d been about to say? Or had I self-sabotaged because I wasn’t ready to hear him?

Clyde leaped onto the dresser, as if sensing my dismay. He rolled onto his back and peered up at me, furry kitty paws in the air.

“I might need a counselor,” I said, knowing I absolutely did. “I’ve been through a lot since I moved home, but Grant really messed me up before that, and now it’s all become too much, and I might be messing myself up.”

Clyde purred and reached for me with one paw.

“I’m serious,” I told him. “It’s been a year since I moved home and a decade since Grant touched me or looked at me longer than necessary.” I hadn’t been in love with him those last few years, but the intentional silence and lack of connection had still felt like abuse. “I’ve been on my own a long time,” I told Clyde. “And Mason really is nice. He’s my friend and a good guy. So why am I so afraid he might care about me the way I care about him? And why would I never admit my feelings for him to anyone but you?”

Clyde wriggled, then rolled onto his fluffy tummy.

“Well, obviously,” I said, stroking his soft fur. “You’re my best friend, and I tell you everything.”

He was handsome as always in his little yellow bow tie and bell.

Our ensembles were perfectly coordinated.

I smoothed my dress and lifted my chin. I had my faults, but I was working on them, and that was all that mattered.

“Let’s go,” I told Clyde. “We’ll call Latiesha when we get to work.” My former marriage counselor knew me well and might have contacts in my area. With a little luck, I’d soon be working on myself from the inside out.

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