Page 134

Beckett

It’s taken allmy free will to stay focused on my meetings today, instead of taking my phone out to text my girlfriend.

Since I spend so much of my time working from home, I’m aware that my appearance in the office isn’t taken lightly and I want to be present when I’m here. I also want my employees to see me as accessible, so I made a point to stay dressed down today. And it worked, but it might’ve worked too well because I feel like I’ve had a conversation with every-fucking-one and I just want to leave. My office manager even had the lunch-hour catered so with the exception of the times I’ve stood in the bathroom taking a piss, I haven’t had a moment alone since stepping foot in the building.

With one final round of goodbyes, I excuse myself from the impromptu parking lot conversation and try not to run as I head toward my truck.

Work is fucking exhausting.

Unlocking my door, I admire my new windows as I slide into the driver’s seat with a groan. Maybe I’ll just sell this location too, and I can be a stay-at-home husband to Elouise. Packing her lunches every morning and licking her pussy every night.

Truck on, I pull my phone out of my pocket and smile at the missed text I have from Elouise.

Swiping to read the message, the smile slips off my face.

Flowers?

Ice crawls up my spine. I didn’t send her any fucking flowers.

I hit the phone icon next to her name and wait for it to ring, but it clicks straight to voicemail.

I hang up and try again.

Same result.

“Fuck!” I shout the word, slamming my car into drive and peeling out of the parking lot.

I barely miss the bumper of a car as I cut across traffic, aiming for the fastest route to the freeway.

One hand on the wheel, I tap my phone again.

Silence… “Hi, sorry I missed your-”

I let it play through, taking deep breaths. She should still be doing her parent conferences, so maybe she just turned her phone off to avoid interruptions.

I force in another long inhale through my nose. It could be a simple misunderstanding. Maybe Maddie sent her flowers but didn’t include a card and Elouise just assumed they were from me. But then images of my broken truck windows, a man trying to enter her tent, and cars crashed together in a parking lot fill my mind.

“-call you back.”

I wait for the beep, then work to control my tone, “Babe, I’m on the way to your school now. I’ll be there in…” I press the gas pedal down further, “twenty minutes. Please wait for me before you leave.” I hesitate. I don’t want to freak her out, but I need her to know. “I didn’t send you any flowers. Just… call me when you get this. Okay? I love you.”

My fingers are trembling when I hang up and I press the gas down even further.