Page 24 of Tear Me to Pieces
“It’s hard to get anywhere when you don’t have a plan.” And I’ve always wanted to go places. Maybe not the same kinds of places as other people, but I’ve always wanted more than I was given. It wasn’t difficult to do considering where I came from and that the little I did have was taken from me time and time again.
“That is a valid point, my friend.” Christian checks his phone. “Speaking of getting places, I need to go so I’ll be ready to get set up for tonight.” His eyes swing my way, looking over my dirty T-shirt and jeans. “And so do you.”
I follow him to the back door, holding it open as he descends the steps. Christian stops when he reaches the bottom, turning around to shoot me a serious expression. “And try to be on time for once.”
I scoff. “I’m never late when I’m already in town.” Yeah, I’ve cut it close a few times thanks to traffic, but that was always when I was arriving the day we were scheduled to play. “Now I’m going to be early just to fucking drive you crazy while we set up.”
I don’t tell him I’d already planned to be early. If things still go as planned, Myra’s going to sing with us tonight, and I want to be at the top of my game for that. For her.
This is a big step, and I want it to be as perfect as possible.
“I’ll fucking believe that when I see it.” Christian glances to one side, eyeing Myra’s car as it pulls into the back parking spot.
“I thought you were going home?” I lean against the door frame, trying to look relaxed even though I’m annoyed Christian is lingering. I appreciate his help, but even though she knew it was happening, I know Myra is going to feel weird about it. And it could make her go back on her agreement to let me put in the half bath if I have the time.
And I’ll make sure I have the time.
She already doesn’t like accepting help from others—even people who consider themselves her family—and now she’s gonna be staring it right in the face.
“I am.” Christian gives Myra a wave as she parks, then turns away, heading across Tate’s backyard and into his own.
I make my way down the steps, meeting Myra as she gets out of her car. As I expected, her eyes are on the back of Christian’s house as he goes in his back door.
“Have a good day?” My question drags her attention to me, her blue eyes slowly finding their way to my face.
Myra gives me a little smile. “Not bad.” Her gaze flicks to Christian’s house before coming back to where I stand. “What about yours?”
I’m struck by how close this moment is to what I’ve been searching for, and it takes me a second to answer. “Productive.” I take the bigger of her two bags, slinging it over my shoulder. “Want to come see what we got done?”
Myra glances at Christian’s house one more time, before giving me a small nod. “Sure.”
I reach out to close her car door, then rest a hand on her back. I know it’s daylight now, so the chances of her tripping over something she can’t see are slim to none, but still. I like knowing I’m ready if she needs me.
I urge her up the stairs ahead of me, following close behind as she opens the door and steps into her house. My eyes are locked on her face as she takes in what Christian and I accomplished while she was out. Myra isn’t easy to read, but I’mstarting to figure her out, so I’m not offended when she doesn’t immediately react. It seems to take her a little bit to absorb things. Then it takes another beat for her to react.
Her expression is relatively closed off as she steps into her future family room, blue eyes drifting over the newly added walls and ceiling. I stay quiet as she steps from the family room into the front room. I’m not sure what her plans are for it yet—Myra doesn’t seem to plan the same way I do—but an odd wistfulness in her expression makes me think she might have more ideas about it than she’s shared with me.
When she finally turns to face me, I’m rewarded with a tentative smile. “It looks pretty great.” Her smile dims a little. “Almost makes me regret not starting sooner.”
I shrug, not wanting her to feel bad about the time it’s taking her to acclimate to a new life. “Everything happens exactly when it’s supposed to.” I move closer, drawn in by the hint of regret pinching her pretty features. “And if you’d started sooner, I would’ve been left with nothing to do but listen to Christian and Tate talk about how fucking happy they are.”
Myra wrinkles her nose, as if that sounds as distasteful to her as it does to me. “It gets really old really fast.”
“I can imagine.” I don’t like thinking about her being here facing the isolation that can come from being the only one not paired up. “They should be lucky you haven’t throat punched all of them yet.”
A bark of laughter jumps through her lips as her head tips back. “Can you imagine the look on Christian’s face if I just randomly punched him in the throat?”
I chuckle. “Yes, I can. And I think I’m gonna keep imagining it, because it’s pretty fantastic.”
Myra dabs at the corner of one eye, letting out a sigh. “This looks really amazing in here.” She sobers. “I know it might not seem like it, but I really appreciate you doing this for me.”
“It does seem like it.” I don’t want her to think I believe she’s not grateful. “Iappreciate you letting me do this. I know you were on the fence, and if you hadn’t...” My words drift off, because I don’t know if I should admit what I would have done if she hadn’t.
But Myra doesn’t give me the choice. “If I hadn’t”—she lifts a brow—”then what?”
I press my lips together before admitting, “I probably would have left early and gone to my next job and waited for it to start.”
Myra’s blue eyes move over my face, brow furrowing slightly as she studies me. “Why don’t you like being here?”
