“I thought this was her week?”
“Originally it was, but she and the sucker have something out of town. I didn’t ask for details.”
Gale pauses. “I know you don’t like to talk about it.—.”
“That hasn’t changed.”
“Come on, New.”
“What is there to say? She humiliated me. They both did. It shook me, and I’m still trying to recover. It’s more than the betrayal of trust; it’s the fact that I didn’t see it coming. I have no clue how long it’s been going on, and I don’t trust my instincts. I’m not sure how to deal with that.” My jaw ticks, and I swallow the emotional word vomit threatening to tumble out.
“It’s not your failing that they lied well. You were busy supporting your family—.”
“And look where that got me.” I breathe in deeply and exhale. “I’ll never regret doing what was necessary to care for my son. He’s always been my main motivator. I’ll get along with Laurel andhim,for Brax’s sake. I’m not okay with what went down, but I fake it for our son. This turned his world upside down, and he’s not dealing with it well.” I shake my head.
“What’s going on?”
“The same behavioral issues. Talking back in school, hiding homework, and then there’s Brax’s total lack of interest in the things he used to love. He resents having to visit her, which spills over to me. Because he doesn’t understand why I allow it to happen. I’ve explained the court agreement, but” I shake my head.
“He’s still young, and this is a lot for anyone to deal with,” Gale says gently.
“I know that, but Laurel isn’t as patient as she could be. At least, not when she’s out of the view of his counselor.”
“She can eat a dick,” he snaps.
I laugh. “Yeah, my thoughts exactly. I think it’s a reminder that her actions have consequences. I never saw Laurel as self-centered before—.”
“Oh, she was, believe me.” I wince. “We all saw it, but you iced us out when we tried to warn you.” He shrugs. “Sometimes people have to learn the hard way.”
“Yeah. Been there, done that, have the t-shirt.” I exhale.
“More like road the theme park ride. I hate bringing up painful topics, but you’ve been playing a role, and it’s cost you. I can see it in your eyes. You take everything on yourself. Running the business since Dad died and taking care of mom.”
“Hey, we all pitch in with mom.” I protest.
“Yes, but not like you do. And I admire you for that.”
“I sense a but coming.”
“You’re not a one-man army. Let us help more. Delegate. Tell us what you need from us, and we’ll get it done. I’m tired of watching you run yourself into the ground like you’re alone when you aren’t.”
“I need that pace. Because if I slow down and see how empty my life truly is.” I clench my jaw.
“I’m not going to lose another family member to stress, and overwork, New. This is a friendly nudge. But we both know I have no problem pushing back.”
“What are you expecting from me?”
“You to slow down. Get a hobby, go on a date, join a team. I don’t care what you choose, as long as you change the pace and pick up something relaxing. The rate you’re traveling isn’t sustainable. The wear and tear is showing, making us all worried.”
“Gale—.”
“What do you think will happen if you stroke out or get sick and can’t bounce back? Who’ll run the show, oversee the running of the store for mom and take care of Brax?”
I blow the air through my teeth. I can’t argue with his points because they’re all valid. How can I explain exhaustion is the only way to turn my brain off? It keeps me from driving to Laurel’s new house and calling Chaze out. It keeps me from falling into a pit of despair I might not crawl out of. Laurel broke something inside me when she left, allowing me to walk in on a dark house devoid of her belongings and my son. The terror that moment created echoes in my head. Who could I trust if I couldn’t trust the woman I’d given my last name and spent a decade with? It was a mental spiral I’d originally treated with alcohol until my family came together for an intervention.
The threat of losing Brax sobered me up, and I’d focused on work ever since.
“I hear you, Gale.”