Page 103 of Stirring Up Love
Twitchy under her scrutiny, Simone said, “I’m always mean to you. We’re mean to each other.”
“We joke with each other, yeah. But this feels different. I was worried for you after what happened last night, but now I feel like something else is going on, and it’s got nothing to do with money or a man.”
Simone pressed her lips together. She would not cry again. Her throat ached, her head hurt, and all of this sucked. Like an unstable Jenga tower, her life was tumbling down around her, despite all her efforts to hold all the pieces in place.
The stress of a double-edged deal and losing yet another person who’d become important to her had set off an earthquake, and as terrible as it was to admit, this time she didn’t think she was strong enough to withstand the fallout on her own.
“I’mjustreallyfreakinglonely.”
Meg cocked her head. “I’m sorry, what?”
“IsaidI’mreallyfreakinglonely.”
“What was that?”
“I said I’m lonely!” She paused, panting. “And it’s really lame, and as much as I don’t want to talk about it, Finn is gone and you’re here, so I guess you win the prize of dealing with my emotional baggage. Lucky you.”
Unable to look Meg in the eyes after her confession, Simone picked up a brush and got to work grooming Willow. “Everyone thinks I’m some hard-ass who doesn’t need people. But the truth is, it’s easier to push people away than rely on them. I moved back home, and everyone’s moved on without me. I mean, I went on freaking national TV, got an offer fromThe Executives, and crickets. I love Chantal, but she’s my best friend; she’s pretty much obligated to care. Same for my sister. And no one else called to congratulate me, or check in, or anything.”
This sounded petty and lame and selfish. After all, she had a best friend and a close sister. How many people could say that? But Chantal lived in Chicago, not Hawksburg. Ditto for Alisha. How was she supposed to carve out a life in Hawksburg without a support system here?
“Don’t get mad, okay?” Meg leaned the broom against the wall and spoke slowly, like Simone might bolt any minute. And yeah, internally she’d laced up her shoes. “But what about me?I’mhere. I texted after the show. I called when you were on the road. I’ve been here for you. Before. Now. Always.”
Simone licked her lips, found them salty. “I know you have. And I appreciate it. It’s just ...” This was so freaking embarrassing to say out loud. Then again, a few minutes ago she’d argued a one-sided debate with a horse, so rock bottom was about ten mile markers back. “It’s just the only reason you’ve stuck around is because I’m your best friend’s little sister. And I hate being an obligation.”
Hands on her hips, Meg said, “That is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“You’re telling me you hang out with me because you actually like me?”
Meg let out an astonished laugh. “Heck yes, I like you, woman!” She looked primed for a hug, so Simone stepped back, just in case. “I don’t just like you, I love you. You and your little hedgehog self.”
She stopped brushing Willow. “Hedgehog?”
“Yeah.” Meg grinned, never a good sign. “You’re spiny on the outside and soft and fuzzy on the inside.”
“Hmph.”
“But without the spines, you’d just be a squishy, boring hamster.”
Simone shook her head. “You are an absolute freak, and I love you for it.” She ran her fingers over the bristles of the brush with a sigh. “Am I being a needy, ungrateful loser?”
“Ungrateful, yes,” Meg said, softening her words with a smile. “And needy? Maybe. But it’s okay to be needy. If we aren’t needy sometimes, then no one knows we’re hurting. And Sim, I don’t want you to hurt all alone.”
Willow stamped her hoof, as if to punctuate the sentiment, and both women laughed.
“Permission to hug?” Meg held her arms outstretched like an overeager camp counselor. Oh Lordy, this was worse than the sneak attack. She’d created a monster.
But for once, a hug didn’t sound terrible. Simone spoke through teeth only half-gritted. “Permission granted.”
Squeezing her, Meg said, “You know, I’m not the only one who loves you.”
“Is this the boy advice you’ve held in this whole time?”
Meg’s body shook with laughter. “Nope. I’m talking about all of us here in town. Did you know when you worked on the campaign for Crest, people bought so much the drugstore ran out of inventory?”
“They did not.”
“They did,” Meg said, releasing her. “And when you got fired, half the town said Chicago is dead to them. Everyone plans to boycott the whole city out of vengeance.”
