Stud Muffin (Donner Bakery #2) - Jiffy Kate Page 0,33
divorce being final. I thought once the ink was dry and I was officially Tempest Cassidy again I’d be able to move on and get over it, but I was wrong. Today, seeing that ring on Mindy’s finger, it was a reminder that my marriage is over and the man I loved for over a decade has moved on. He’s giving someone else the life I once had. He took my truck and soon I’ll have to move out of my house… and he took away my chances of having a baby,” she says, her voice dropping to a near whisper as she turns back to the house. “I think, deep down, that’s what I’m the saddest about.”
The cab of the truck is silent as we both sit, me processing the information she just gave me and her probably reliving the heartache she’s faced over the past few months.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her, not knowing what else to say. The smile she gives me this time is sad and I want to remove it from her beautiful face.
Sighing, she reaches for the door handle. “Thanks for the ride and for listening. I’m sorry I just dumped my drama on you.”
“That’s what friends are for, right?”
As I stand in the open door of the truck, I get a hint of the real smile I’ve been wanting. “Yeah… friends.”
“Hey, Tempest,” I say, an idea popping into my head. “Tell me about the anger management. What’s that all about?”
Her shoulders go up to her ears and she lets out a deep breath. “It’s just a group thing… I go once a week… everyone talks about their anger.” When she laughs, I see a little more of the tension leave her shoulders. “I’ve only been once, but I think it’s helping… maybe a little…” She hesitates, chewing on her lip for a second. “Except, seeing Asher and Mindy today, I was able to use the coping mechanisms I’ve been learning … until I saw that ring.”
Her eyes go straight to mine, vulnerable and transparent.
“Then what happened?” I ask, wanting her whole story—the whole truth.
“I wanted to hit something, or someone. I wanted to physically do damage.” She huffs and shakes her head, stepping back and then bracing her hands on her thighs. “That’s when the crazy sets in… that’s why people talk about me. And maybe I am… crazy,” she says, swallowing and fighting back emotions. “Maybe he made me crazy.”
“You’re not,” I tell her, wanting to get out of the truck and walk around to her, but I’ve got to keep my distance if we’re going to make this whole friends thing work. “It’s totally understandable. You’ve been through a lot and you need an outlet for your feelings.” I pause, really thinking through what I’m getting ready to offer, but knowing it’s the right thing to do… the right thing for her. “I could teach you kickboxing, possibly throw in some jujitsu. I think it would really help you channel the negative thoughts and feelings you’re having.”
I don’t mention that it’ll also give her confidence and discipline, but those would be great residual effects. I’ve seen it time and time again, even in myself. It’ll also reduce her stress, which I think she could definitely use.
“Kickboxing?” she asks, finally standing up straight to look at me. “Do you… is that why… you’re a kickboxer?” The way she stumbles over her words is adorable and I have to fight back a smile.
Friends, Erickson. You’re just friends.
“Yeah, I dabble,” I say with a smirk. “And I just ordered a new bag that should be delivered this week. I’m staying in one of the buildings downtown, just down the street from the bakery, and I’m turning the downstairs into a studio of sorts.” Pausing, I catch a vision of what the place could be and I store it away for later. Possibilities. “Maybe next Wednesday?” I ask.
She thinks for a minute, obviously trying to decide if it’s a good decision. Does she trust me? Could she trust me? “Okay,” she finally agrees. “Maybe after noon? That’s when I get off work on Wednesdays.”
“Noon.” I almost add “it’s a date”, but think better of it. “You know where Hank Weller’s building is? It’s the red brick one.”
Slowly, she nods. “Yeah, I know the one.”
“Okay, I’ll see you Wednesday.”
Chapter 9
Tempest
I woke up this morning with a lead weight in my stomach.
The realtor is coming today to start the process of putting our house… the house… up on