a pristine workshop going into the weekend. “I wasn’t about to stand by while they harassed her.”
“But you could’ve. So be ready to hear about it from Von too, tomorrow. She doesn’t play about her baby girl, so that got you a lot of points with her.”
“Did I need points with her?”
“No, but it doesn’t hurt.”
“Because it matters to you what she thinks of me.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“It would be a bad thing if you didn’t care what she thought of me,” I answered. “She’s the mother of your child, and I’ve never heard you say a bad thing about her. She’s gonna be in your life, and I’m going to be in your life, so… it’s important that we can all get along.”
“I agree. I don’t think that’s going to be an issue, since like I said – she likes you.”
“She doesn’t know me.”
“She likes what she knows of you.”
I shook my head. “I… guess we’ll see tomorrow.”
“We definitely will,” he said. “Ay, did you ever eat anything for dinner? You didn’t mention it again…”
Shit.
I had declined Tristan’s offer earlier in the evening to have something delivered with the promise I would take care of myself. Truthfully, I’d gotten too distracted with work, and forgot.
So… no.
I had not had dinner.
“Baby, come on,” he scolded. “You keep getting all wrapped up in those candles, you’re gonna end up passing out. Breathing in all those fumes without eating…”
“Fumes?” I laughed. “That’s a stretch.”
“After you’ve complained about being lightheaded from being in your workroom for hours and hours? I don’t think so.”
“Who asked you anyway?”
“I asked me,” he chuckled. “And I’m gonna ask again, do you need me to send you something?”
“No, I’ve got it – for real this time,” I assured. “I’m gonna take this recycling out back, then I’m done in the workshop for the day, and I can eat the rest of my big ass salad from lunch.”
“You’re definitely gonna do that?”
“I swear,” I giggled, bending to push the pile of disassembled boxes into a stack that would be easier for me to carry out. “I’ll call you back after.”
“Aiight. Talk to you in a few.”
“Bye.”
I slipped the phone into my pocket and gathered the boxes, tucking them under one arm so I could get the door. It was awkward, but I still managed, taking a deep breath of the late spring air as I stepped out.
And immediately regretting it.
The little bit of coolness it used to carry was gone, replaced by the mugginess usually reserved for summer. Because of that, I didn’t linger in the semi-darkness, using the glow of the “safety lighting” that lined the back alley to guide me to the bright blue dumpster.
“One trip down,” I mumbled to myself as I dropped the boxes inside. “Ah!” I screamed when I turned around, startled to find someone blocking my path.
Nya.
“Excuse me…” I muttered, stepping around her, but not thinking much of it… until she moved to get back in my face.
“I’m really sick of you,” she declared, her face pulled into a scowl. “Where the fuck did you even come from, getting in the way?”
I raised an eyebrow. “The feeling is quite mutual, sis. And you’re the only one in somebody’s way here. Move.”
“I’m not scared of you!” To prove her point, she shoved me backward, wearing a satisfied smirk. It was nothing for me to catch my balance, which I did, but I was so caught off guard by this aggression that it was all I did.
Which she thought was funny.
“I see you’re not so big and bold now, without an audience. Without Tristan to protect you. Weird ass bitch,” she screamed, poising herself to shove me again, but that shit wasn’t happening.
I hit her twice – two jabs right to the face, then easily swept her legs from under her, sending her tumbling to the ground.
Where she remained, and started crying. “What the fuck is wrong with you?!” she shrieked, making me frown.
“Me? Bitch what is wrong with you? You’re the one sneaking up on people in the dark, attacking. I should shoot your dumb ass!” I told her, pulling the gun I’d started carrying since the break-in from my waistband to prove my point. It was a cutesy little thing, lighter than what I would’ve used on assignment, but I needed something easy to conceal, so it got the job done.
When I pointed it at her, she screamed, holding her hands up in front of her face.
“I didn’t mean to, I swear!”