Chapter 26
26
I stare at my phone, then at my laptop. It’s been nearly an hour since I got home and I’m still torn on what to do about Mayee. And I haven’t managed to write anything of note, either. I’m too churned up. Wale’s suggestion is ringing in my head. Should I just tell her the truth? I’m starting to think I should.
But is it too much of a risk?
I put my phone down and let out an agitated breath. Okay, I need to make a decision. I need to know if Love Drive is worth fighting for. And I’ll only know if I read back what I’ve written. Up until now, I’ve refrained from reading over my manuscript, worried I’d be vacuumed into the self-destructive, endless task of editing.
But right now, I have no choice.
I remain motionless in my seat. The silence in my room is profound.
I cannot send Mayee Love Drive .
And it’s not even because the writing is rough, or the plot is both nonsensical and inconsistent. This story lacks one main ingredient: heart. While Wildest Dreams was born out of love, and The Ultimate Payback was born out of hate, Love Drive was born out of fear.
Before I can convince myself not to, I grab my phone and ring Mayee, steeling my spine to feel more confident. For a fleeting second, I think, I ’ ve got this .
Until Mayee picks up.
‘Hi. Temi. What can I do for you?’
A surge of panic runs through my veins. I physically shake.
‘Hi, Mayee. Um, do you have a minute?’
‘For you? Of course.’
All of a sudden, my mouth goes dry. I wish that I’d written some notes. Mentally prepared.
The silence that follows grows longer. It’s loud in my ears.
‘I’ve got something to tell you,’ I say finally.
There’s a brief pause before Mayee says, ‘What’s up, Temi?’ She’s gathered something is off from my tone.
I feel as though I’m about to parachute off a plane. I close my eyes and jump.
‘I’m so sorry but I won’t be able to send you my manuscript by Monday.’ I’m speaking in such a rush that my words run into each other. I feel the weight of Mayee’s lack of response compressing my lungs. My body tenses.
‘Oh,’ she says finally. ‘Is everything okay?’
The concern in her voice is making things twice as hard. For a quick, passing second, I consider telling her that I’ve got a family emergency but I’ve told enough lies.
‘The truth is … I haven’t been working on Love Drive over the last few months. For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been playing catch-up but it just isn’t working.’
There’s a fraught silence. My heart thuds uncontrollably.
‘I’m so sorry I lied,’ I croak, my voice a near whisper.
The wait before Mayee speaks again is excruciating. My blood pressure must be going through the roof.
‘I have to say, Temi, I’m disappointed.’ Shame hits me in my core. ‘I didn’t expect this from you, especially the lying. You’ve wasted both of our time.’
Mayee’s words are like a knife to the chest. I’ve never heard her sound like this. Ever. So, when she says, ‘I think we need to have a separate conversation about our working relationship,’ I panic.
‘No, the reason why I can’t send you my manuscript is because I’ve actually been working on another book!’ I cry. ‘Sorry, I wasn’t clear earlier. I do have a draft to send you; it’s just not Love Drive .’
‘I see. What is this book called?’
And with my eyes squeezed shut, I say, ‘ The Ultimate Payback ’.