Chapter 30
Unicorn’s tears – don’t exist since unicorns never cry unlike Mercy after getting her heart broken
Mercy
“Ouch!” I drop the wrench on the floor and lift my finger to my mouth to suck the blood before using my feet to roll myself out from under the engine.
This is not me. I don’t make stupid mistakes and cut myself while working on an engine. But my mind isn’t on rebuilding this classic V8 engine. I keep hearing Gibson calling me a bitch over and over again in my mind. I told him I loved him and he didn’t respond.
I hang my head. What was I thinking? Thinking I could be a rockstar’s girlfriend and not end up with my heart shattered. My relationship losing streak continues. Too bad there isn’t a prize for this streak.
My phone rings and I glance at the display. Gibson.
He’s lost his damn mind if he thinks I’m talking to him today. I already know everything he has to say. I didn’t mean it. I won’t drink again. It was a bad day. Yada yada yada. I’ve heard all of the excuses he can come up with. I’m not interested.
Virginia rushes in the garage with Indigo and Leia hot on her heels.
“I got it.” Virginia picks up my phone and answers, “This is Mercy’s phone.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask Indigo and Leia.
Indigo rolls her eyes. “She doesn’t get small town living.”
“Or maybe she doesn’t get having the nosiest woman in town think she’s her bestie,” Leia says.
Indigo holds up a finger. “One, I am her bestie.” She holds up another finger. “And, two, I can’t possibly be the nosiest woman in town when the gossip gals live here.”
“Mercy?” Virginia waves my phone at me. “It’s he whose name shall not be spoken. Do you want to listen to him grovel?”
I growl. Does Gibson actually think I’m going to listen to him? What a tool. “No. I already know every word he’s going to say. I’m not interested.”
“Don’t you want to give him a piece of your mind?” Leia asks.
Huh. Not a bad idea. There’s no reason for me to slink away all heartbroken. I’m not some forlorn heroine in a romance novel.
I hold out my hand. “Give me the phone.”
Indigo snatches it from Virginia before I can. “Gibson?”
I wave my hand at her and mouth give me the phone.
Indigo grins and shakes her head. “You’re stuck with me. Virginia is trying to calm Mercy down.”
“Whatever,” I mutter and stomp off to the bathroom where I wash my cut with some water and put a bandage on it.
“Let’s go.” Indigo motions to the door when I return to the garage.
“I have work to do.”
Basil steps out of his office. “Get out of here before you burn the place down.”
I scowl. “I wouldn’t burn this place down.” I just bought it. I haven’t even had a chance to get insurance yet.
He nods to my bandage. “I wouldn’t expect you to cut yourself either.”
I’m allowed to be a bit distracted the day after the man I love – the man I thought I’d spend my life with – breaks my heart. But I’m not going to tell him my sad story. I’ve spent my life working in garages with men. They don’t care about my ‘women’ troubles. I stick my tongue out at him instead.
“Seriously. Get out of here. This rebuild isn’t going to be finished today anyway.”
“Isn’t this your garage?” Leia asks. “Aren’t you the boss now?”
“My garage. Basil’s client.”
“Enough chitter chatter.” Indigo laces her arm through mine. “Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“My house. And don’t worry. Cash won’t be there.”
“Where is he?” I ask because wherever Cash is, Gibson is, and I can’t help but wonder what he’s doing. Does he have the hangover of the century or is he already drinking again?
No, Mercy. Stop it. No thinking about rockstars and wondering how they’re doing. It’s no longer any of your business.
Indigo pats my arm. “I’ll explain later.”
Explain what? Now, I’m even more curious. Nope. I don’t care.
Indigo leads me toward the golfcart they must have ridden here. I aim for the driver’s seat but Virginia groans.
“I know you’re heartbroken and I’m supposed to give you whatever you need, but I’m going to puke if the speed demon drives again.”
Indigo pushes me out of the way. “I’ll drive.”
“You’re not much better than her.”
“I got this.” Leia sits in the driver’s seat. “I know how to drive with precious cargo aboard.”
I sit on the golf cart next to Indigo as we drive away from the garage.
“I could have walked faster than this,” I mutter when Leia doesn’t increase the speed after joining the main road.
“Feel free to get out and walk,” Leia says. “Physical exercise is good for you.”
“Is it going to heal my broken heart?” I mutter.
Indigo wraps her arm around my shoulders. “Only time will help.”
We reach the house Indigo shares with Cash and pile out of the golf cart.
I pretend to fix my hair. “I don’t know, Leia. Any faster and we would have broken the sound barrier.”
She bumps my hip. “Be nice. Virginia is feeling queasy.”
Indigo’s nose wrinkles. “Why are you feeling queasy, Virginia?”
Virginia scans the area. “Not outside. There are spies everywhere.”
Once we’re settled in the living room, Indigo motions to Virginia. “Are you sick?”
Virginia wrings her hands together. “Not exactly.”
Indigo tilts her head and studies her friend. She gasps and her eyes widen. “You’re pregnant. Oh my god! You’re pregnant!”
She drags Virginia off of the couch and hugs her. Virginia pushes her off. “Queasy remember?”
“Gotcha!” Indigo runs off and returns with an empty trash can seconds later. “I’ve got you covered.”
“How did this happen? And why does Leia know but not me?” Indigo pushes out her bottom lip in a pout. “I’m supposed to be your best friend.”
Virginia settles on the sofa with the bucket in her arms. “One, I really hope you know how this happens. And, two, I didn’t tell Leia.”
“I figured it out when she got queasy while we were driving over to Mercy’s garage. I got car sick when I was pregnant with Isla,” Leia says.
Indigo settles next to Virginia on the couch. “I guess I forgive you.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“Congratulations, Virginia. I didn’t realize you were trying.” I waggle my eyebrows.
“Have you seen Dylan? Of course, I was trying. I want to give him babies and make a family with him.”
My stomach sours. I don’t know if I’m ready for babies yet, if ever, but I was ready to make a family with Gibson. And Uncle Mercury, of course. I can never forget him.
Virginia glances at me and winces. I guess I’m not hiding my heartbreak very well. “Shoot. I’m sorry, Mercy. Here I am all happy and you’re heartbroken.”
“It’s okay.” It’s not but at least if we discuss Virginia’s happiness we’re not discussing my heartbreak.
Indigo blows out a breath. “Good. Because I’m dying to ask about your ring.” She points to Virginia’s hand.
“Did you just notice the ring?” Leia sighs. “You’re not very good at this snooping thing.”
“I’m nosy, not a snoop.”
“It’s good you understand your limitations.”
“Dylan and I are engaged and I’m pregnant,” Virginia announces. “And now we’re done discussing me. We have a heartbroken woman to comfort.”
Indigo jumps up. “On it.”
“What is she doing?” I ask. “She doesn’t have an initiation ceremony for heartbroken women, does she? I’m not drinking a unicorn’s tears.”
“Don’t be silly,” Indigo says as she returns with a charcuterie board. “Unicorns don’t have tears since they never cry.”
She sets the board on the table. My eyes widen at the amount of sugar it contains. There are two bowls filled with chocolate dip as well as berries, candies, cookies, pretzels, and nuts.
“Is sugar supposed to cure a broken heart?” I ask but I don’t hesitate to dip a chocolate chip cookie in chocolate and shove it in my mouth.
Indigo’s cheeks darken. “Since you don’t drink, I thought this was a good idea.”
I moan as I chew the cookie. “Not judging you. And I need the recipe for this cookie and dip.”
“Great.” Indigo rubs her hands together. “Time to get started.”
I grab another cookie. If she’s going to interrogate me, I deserve some chocolate at least.
“Are there any circumstances under which you would forgive Gibson for what he said and did?”
I narrow my eyes on her. “I get you know we broke up. I wasn’t exactly quiet when I returned home last night and Uncle Mercury is a blabbermouth.”
“And I saw you leaving Gibson’s house,” Leia interrupts to say.
“Still, how do you know what Gibson said and did?”
“Trade secret,” Indigo claims.
Leia giggles. “Trade secret, my ass. Jett never left. He eavesdropped at the back window.”
I groan. “And then he told the whole world my boyfriend thinks I’m a bitch.”
“I hate the word bitch,” Virginia mutters. She’s not the only one. “But Jett did blab to the rest of the band. They’re over there now dealing with him.”
“Which is why we aren’t at my house,” Leia says. “No one trusts Gibson to not come after you if he knows where you are.”
I snort. “Gibson isn’t going to come after me. I told him I loved him and he didn’t respond. I think it’s safe to say our relationship is dead and buried.”
“No, it isn’t,” Indigo sings.
“Out with it.” I’m done playing games. Either she tells me what she knows or I’m getting my hands on her stove. I’m a mechanic. I can cause considerable damage with a gas stove.
“The band gave Gibson an ultimatum,” Leia says. “Get sober or they’re kicking him out.”
I purse my lips. “Ultimatums don’t work. Trust me. I know.”
“Except.” Indigo grins. “When the person given an ultimatum figures the only way to win back the woman he loves is to get sober.”
“Gibson doesn’t love me.”
“Then why did he refuse to go to rehab until after he realized you were done with him?”
I wave away her question. “That doesn’t mean he loves me or is getting sober for me.”
“Just wait. I’m right about this.”
Virginia groans. “Great. She’s going to gloat.”
Indigo smirks. “I am an excellent gloater.”
“Being an excellent gloater is nothing to be proud of.”
I tune Indigo and Virginia’s bickering out. Is Virginia right? Did Gibson agree to go to rehab because he wants to win me back?
A spark of hope lights in my chest but I douse it with a healthy portion of reality. I’ve watched my mom go in and out of rehab for years. There’s no guarantee of success.
But what if Gibson is different? Hope surfaces once more. I try to douse it again but it’s firmly planted in my chest.