Page 7 of Rooster
As usual, I was the first one there, but I liked having a moment to myself. I used the time to sip on my coffee and mentally prepare, and with the day I had ahead, I was going to need it. I was organizing my station when the front door chimed, and Keeley stormed inside.
The normally bubbly red-headed bombshell didn’t say a word as she went over to the sofa and plopped down with a pitiful sigh. Her eyes were puffy, and her cheeks were bright pink, and her bottom lip was quivering. There was clearly something wrong, so I rushed over and sat down next to her. “Hey, are you okay?”
“No, I’m not.” She cleared her throat. “Far from it.”
“What’s going on?”
“Brandon is what’s going on.”
“What do you mean? What happened?”
“We broke up last night.”
“What?” I gasped. “But I thought things were going so good between you two.”
“I did, too.” She leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes. “But apparently, things have been going even better with his ex.”
“Oh, no.”
“Yeah.” She pressed her hands against her eyelids, trying in vain to keep the tears at bay. “I should’ve known better. I knew he wasn’t over her when we started talking. I should’ve never gone out with him.”
“This isn’t your fault.”
“But it is.” A single tear trickled down her face as she explained, “I always go for the wrong guy and end up getting my heart broken.”
“That’s because you have a big heart and always see the best in people.”
“I’m an idiot who thinks an issue isn’t really an issue until it smacks me right in the face—just like with Brandon.” She wiped the tear from her cheek and shook her head. “He was so handsome, and he had his life together, so I didn’t think it mattered that he’d just broken up with someone he’d been dating for six years.”
I didn’t respond.
I just sat there and listened as she continued to vent, “The six years part should’ve been enough to make me walk away. I mean, seriously. Who dates someone that long? Brandon, that’s who. What a stupid jerk!”
“I know it hurts, but it sounds like you are better off without him.”
“Yeah, tell my heart that. For some reason, it’s not getting the memo.”
“It will. You’re just gonna have to give it some time.” I reached over and gave her a quick hug. “Why don’t you go across the street and get yourself a cup of coffee?”
“I have a client coming.”
“I’ll cover until you get back.” I stood, then offered her my hand and helped Keeley to her feet. “Now, get and grab me a mocha while you’re there.”
“Sure thing.” A soft smile slipped across her lips. “Thanks, Mags.”
“Anytime.”
I waited until Keeley walked out of the shop before going over to her station and prepping it for her client. I’d pulled her foils when the door flew back open, and Ryan burst into the shop. As usual, she was dressed to the nines. She had on a fitted black dress with knee-high boots, and her sun-kissed blonde hair was swooped up in a messy bun.
Her oversized hoop earrings started to swing when she made an abrupt stop and announced, “It’s official. Men are assholes.”
“So, you heard about Keeley and Brandon.”
“What?”
“She just found out that he’s messing around with his ex.”
“See!” She threw her arms up in the air. “Assholes!”
