CH 40 – #mistakes
Riley
Song: “Tin Man” by Miranda Lambert
“MACIE, I PROMISE nothing has been going on between Chad and me,” I said, wiping my eyes.
“I believe you. But why didn’t you tell me about seeing him at Starbucks, y’all talking and everything?”
“Because I know how you feel about him. I also didn’t think I’d see him ever again. Then I thought about my stuff at his house and wanted to get it back before I moved to Rhys’s.”
“Why did you arrange for Chad to bring you your stuff at the same time Rhys was going to get there?”
“I didn’t. Rhys showed up early.”
Macie sighed. “What a fucking mess.”
“I keep making the biggest mistakes, but I don’t think they’re mistakes at the time.”
“I know you were just trying to save Rhys’s feelings and mine about Chad.”
“I was.”
“You can’t do that anymore, BFF—with anyone. You’re better off being upfront about everything.”
“I will be from now on with you, but it’s too late with Rhys. We’re really over,” I cried. “And what should I do about my job and duplex?”
“See if you can get your job back and resume your broken lease. Make the calls to Dr. Robinson and your landlord.”
“I’m so embarrassed. How do I even begin to explain why I’m not moving back to Cypress Hills and marrying Rhys.”
“It’s like I’ve already told you. Just be upfront and honest. We’re all human, and we all make mistakes.”
“I’ve got to call my momma, daddy, and Rachel to tell them the news, and I’m dreading it.”
“Your parents will understand. Rachel, though? I don’t know. If I were you, I’d call her first because, more than likely, Rhys has already called Jackson and told him what happened, and Jackson has talked to Rachel.”
I sniffled. “Okay. I’ll call her now.”
“Keep me posted on everything on your end, and I’ll do the same here.”
“Macie, do you think there’s any chance Rhys would…”
“Rethink what’s happened and get back together with you?”
“Yes.”
“That’s what I’m going to try to find out.”
“Are you going to call him?”
“No, I’m going to see him in person and try to talk some damn sense into him.”
“Oh, God, really?”
“Yes.”
Realizing that having a job and a place to live was more urgent, I contacted Dr. Robinson and my landlord first, and my prayers were answered. I got my job back and my duplex. On top of that, Dr. Robinson suggested I take a few days off for myself. I cried and thanked him for his understanding. Then I asked him to privately let Jacinda know what’d happened between Rhys and me. He said he would.
It was time to call my sister, and I hoped she’d hear me out.
“Hello?” she said, answering her phone. The tone of her voice indicated that she was angry.
“Will you listen to my side of the story?”
“I don’t need to. You fucked up by not telling Rhys about your contact with Chad, and he fucked up by assuming the worst of you. I’m pissed off at you and Rhys both.”
“I guess Jackson is too.”
“He is.”
“I’m sorry, sister.”
“So am I. What are you going to do now?”
“Stay in Fort Worth. I’m keeping my duplex and resuming my dental hygienist position.”
“Okay.”
Rachel grew quiet for several long seconds. Then she told me about Rhys.
“I think you should know he punched his truck’s stereo, broke it, and his hand. He cut it, too, and it’s bleeding pretty badly.”
“No!”
“Yes.”
“Where is he now?”
“He’s still driving home. Jackson told him to go to an ER somewhere, but he wouldn’t do it. He wants to wait until he gets here. He can be so damn stubborn.”
“I know he can,” I choked out. “I want him back. I want his stubbornness. I want him just the way he is because, to me, he’s perfect. I love him so much.”
“He loves you, too.”
“Shit, Macie is calling me.”
“Before you answer, know that I’m here for you. Call me anytime to talk, cry, scream, or whatever while working your way through all of this.”
“Thank you, sister.”
We hung up, and I went right into a conversation with Macie about Rhys. She’d called him to find out where he was so she could talk to him face-to-face. That was when he told her that he was on his way back to Cypress Hills and had also broken and cut his hand from punching his stereo.
Like Jackson had done, Macie told Rhys to find an ER to go to. Of course, he said no. At that point, Macie began talking to him about Chad and me. She assured Rhys that there was nothing romantic going on and then told him that he had overreacted. He hung up on her.
After she and I got off the phone, I called my parents about everything, and they gave me their complete understanding. Of course, they were extremely sad about Rhys and me being over and said they would pray for a miracle to bring us back together. I used to have faith in the miraculous, but not anymore.