Chapter 28
Twenty-Eight
Nicholas
T he most difficult and hardest challenge is allowing Maeve to have her space. I don’t record her. I don’t even pry a lot of information from the two I sent to protect her. I’m allowing my free-spirited woman to spread her wings and have fun. I told her to call when she’s ready. Evidently, she’s not ready.
I’m not too proud to admit that with each day that passes, my heart breaks a little. I know I can’t let her go. Deep in my soul, I know it’s not goodbye. She will call. It’s all a matter of when. To be honest, I still don’t see what I did that angered her this much. I’m not sure she’s being entirely fair. She’d really lose her mind if she discovered I also made them eat the tongues. Personally, I thought I was being poetic. Looking back, maybe I missed the mark.
Miss Bowman better be grateful that I was already in trouble or she might’ve been next. As soon as Maeve left the garage to go home that day, I went inside to inform Miss Bowman personally that I was no longer a client there. Along with the phone calls I made, I’d wager a bet that her company will be forced to close its door permanently by the end of the year.
My phone dings and I look down to read the text.
MAEVE: Do you still want me to handle the grand opening? Were you being serious?
Since Maeve left me that day in the garage, I’ve been reassessing my life. The one thing I’m more certain than anything is Maeve being involved in it as much as humanely possible. There’s also no doubt in my mind that she’s more than capable of handing the grand opening.
ME: Is that even a serious question?
MAEVE: Then I accept.
ME: Do you also accept me?
Silence.
ME: Will you accept me back into your life?
ME: I won’t apologize for what I did. They threatened you. I won’t allow a second time. I’ll never stand by and allow you to be harmed.
I hold my phone tightly in my hand. My behavior might not be considered normal. I more than likely do need help. But I’ve stood by before and heard threats. I watched as those threats were followed through. I know how ugly and cruel people can be. If I lost her by protecting her, it’ll hurt me, but as long as she’s alive, I’ll live with the pain of her rejection. I wouldn’t be able to survive if I did nothing and lost her forever.
I have to return to Las Vegas. It’s frustrating to leave town right now, and I can’t just leave without telling Maeve. Not knowing where I stand with her is maddening. We haven’t made a commitment to one another. Correction, I am fully committed to her. Nothing will change that. I’ll never be with anyone else, again. I fell for Maeve the first moment she yelled at me, “Hey Jack.” Which now I know it was more, “Hey, Jack?” Such a silly misunderstanding. Her jumping in my car that day was the best thing to ever happen to me. For the first time in my life, I’m not sure how to control or handle a situation. My gut tells me that I’ve found this amazing woman, probably the only person I’ll ever love, and not to let her go. However, from our past experiences, she doesn’t appreciate those kinds of efforts. She wants space and for me to respect her boundaries. I have to go against what I want to do, because I’m wanting forever with her. I want her to want me as much as I need her.
I can be patient and wait for her.
ME: I’m going back to Las Vegas. I’ll be back in time for the opening. Please continue to reach out if you need me. For anything.
MAEVE: Will do. Safe travels.
It’s been months since I’d heard from Maeve, and I can’t help the crushing anxiety and hopelessness I feel. I might have ruined everything. I’ve replayed everything that happened. I can’t make sense of why she’s so angry with me. How was she not furious at her bully and ex? I was furious with the audacity those two possessed. They wanted to hurt her. She didn’t react as upset by that revelation as she did as to how I responded. Worse, is that it seems she was afraid of me. That scares me to death. Being the man who the woman he loves fears. Yes, I have no issue with doing terrible things, but never to her. Never.
Old habits do die hard. I removed the cameras in her house, but still have two of my people keeping an eye out for her at all times. They’re not intrusive. It’s simply to ensure that nobody harms her. They tell me that Maeve has opened her own business and there’s going to be a ribbon cutting in front of the little business space she’s renting.
Before I do anything drastic, like fly there immediately, I check the local newspapers. Thank God it’s mentioned. I also check social media outlets. Yup. It’s mentioned. If I show up, it was public knowledge. However, Maeve didn’t invite me. Pain lances through my hurt. I’d wish for physical pain any day rather than this. Instead of attending the event personally, I call the florist and schedule to have delivered a single red rose with a card telling her congratulations.