Page 29 of All I Need

I JUST SPENT WAY TOO much time on my hair and makeup considering I’m going to a veterinary clinic to talk with a guy about a job and not a date.

And especially considering I was recently engaged and have no desire to be in a relationship—maybe ever again. It’s clear I’m not the best judge of character when it comes to men, or friends. The thought of opening my heart up to romance again makes me feel more than a little bit queasy.

Speaking of which, I power up my phone for the first time since last Saturday night.

Holy shit.

Thirty-eight texts, sixteen voicemails, fifty-two missed calls. Most of which have come from Gary. A name I now can’t say or think without a sneer. Asshole.

Gary: Please come back. I’ll explain everything.

What else could he possibly explain?

Gary: Where are you?

Gary: I’m worried about you. Call me, okay?

Gary: It’s been over a week. Enough already. CALL me.

Worried about me? Was he worried when he was screwing my friend?

I scroll to the last one.

Gary: I’ve had enough. Call me or I’ll be forced to come searching for you.

Pressing my lips together, I listen to the first message Gary left. “Babe, I wasn’t thinking. It’s over between Crystal and me. She doesn’t mean anything to me.”

I bet she doesn’t. His daddy would never accept her as a potential wife. Her natural curves that she embraces rather than fights by working out to get rid of, her blue hair and nose ring, colorful tattoos that cover her arms. She’s beautiful on the outside, not so much on the inside. But she’s far from who Gary Sr. would have pictured for a daughter-in-law. If Gary wants his inheritance when he turns thirty-five as per the terms of his trust, I know he’ll be fighting to get back in my good graces.

I must have really had the blinders on when it comes to that family. Because, seriously … what a bunch of assholes.

I decide to jump from the first to the last, assuming that the rest of the messages are likely the same. “Ellie, I’m giving you one more day to return my car or I’m calling the police to bring you up on charges of theft.”

That’s it. His voice now entirely unapologetic, most likely because he’s used to getting what he wants and having me not reply, not jump to his demands that were probably laid out in the other messages or texts I have yet to read, just irks him.

I obviously missed a few important messages in the middle.

The time stamp on the message tells me he left this one last night.

At the time, I was cracking up and eating lasagna with Walker and Miss Polly, feeling lighter than I have in three years.

I grab the keys and my purse, forgetting all about going to the vet clinic because… well, jail. It’s not really something I’m willing to risk right now. Freedom or being stubborn. If you’d have asked me two weeks ago if Gary was bluffing, I would have said absolutely. However, it’s obvious I don’t have the best of instincts when it comes to him.

“Morning, sweet girl.” Miss Polly is sitting at the kitchen table, her short silver hair sticking up every which way. She’s wearing a pajama set; a light blue t-shirt and matching plaid capri pants, and some fuzzy slippers on her feet.

I’ve never seen her not look completely put together. She’s adorable.

“Everything okay?” I ask her.

“Hmm? Why wouldn’t it be?”

“It’s just that,” I throw a hand in her direction, “you’re a little more casual than I’ve seen you in the past.”

She smiles then takes a sip of her coffee. “Content, darling. You’re staying and I’m happy about that. I slept better last night than I’ve slept in years.”

I struggle to breathe normally and I feel the sting of tears hit the back of my eyes, my nose burning as I fight back crying. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt so welcome in someone’s home. Or, if I’m being completely honest with myself, a part of someone’s family. And that’s exactly how Miss Polly makes me feel. Like family. Like she cares about me and my well-being.

“I’m staying,” I say out loud because it feels good and I know she wants to hear it again. She smiles and nods.

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