Shattered (8 page)

Like home as in my heart where it had no business being.  What would I do?  How would I be able to react to that? 
It was bad enough I found myself in bed crying over him loving someone else.  But to have him married and start a family……. I couldn’t, no I wouldn’t make it.

Pulling myself from my thoughts I put a brave face on and enter the kitchen.  “All right ladies are we ready to go?  I need some new clothes and some sexy undergarments, so
let’s get this show on the road.”

The day was long and the shopping was great. One true sigh of a great shopping day is the fact that my feet are telling me that I suck.  I tried to be the best and most chipper person I could be, laughing at all the right moments, checking out all the cute boys that would make us all cradle robbers, and really trying to put on a great front.  It was just what I needed for the time being.  Tomorrow would be another day and I could work it away with new high/low lig
hts, perms, and give a since of confidence to anyone who sits in my chair. 

As Thursday rounded the corner I was beginning to feel better about myself.  Yesterdays shopping and
today’s busy schedule really helped me forget about the men (or the lack there of) in my life.

Just as the day was coming to an end a floral shop delivery man walked into the salon delivering a gorgeous bouquet of calla lilies. “Kris looks like your hubby sent you flowers again! What did he do this time?” I told the man to leave them on the reception desk and told him Kris would be out n a minute to sign for them.

“I don’t think he did anything this time. Well not that I remember. Maybe these are just his way of saying he is sorry in advance or something.  I am not really sure.” She signed for the flower and started sniffing the beautiful arrangement. 

A little ting of jealousy hit me.  My ex never sent me
flowers; he said they were a waist simply because they would die.  I told him it was the thought of them, just the thought that someone was thinking about you, something like that can really make a girls day.  I was lost in my thoughts not even hearing Kris saying my name over and over again.

“Oh sorry
what’s up. I got lost in myself for a moment.” I turned around to see her holding a little note in her left hand.  I pulled away from my client and walked over to her.

“What did the hubby say?  Is it something mushy for you??”
She was flashing me that little grin of hers and shaking her head. “You will just have to read it and see what it says, it’s really good.”

I looked at her for a moment because really who wants to read what someone else’s husband wrote their wife? I would normally be all giddy and happy for my friend but after these last two weeks I wasn’t in the mood to be dragged into someone else’s perfect little romance novel.  No I wanted my pity.  That little voice in the back in my head was yelling at me saying how much of a terrible friend I was being. 
Which is completely true.  So I straightened up and took the card from her hand and began to read the mushy note her wonderful husband sent her.

I was not
prepared to read what I read next.  I read the note over and over trying to figure out what to say, my brain was screaming and my heart was pounding out of my chest. 

Ryan- Let me glue you back together – Caleb

I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t move.  I was just standing there trying to figure out what to do what.  No words were forming in my mouth.  Amanda and Kylie came running over and grabbed the card out of my hand reading it also.

I turned to leave and headed back to my client.  My mind was swimming and my heart was mixed with all sorts of emotions. He wants to glue me back together? I put a smile on my face and continued my work.  It came as no surprise that the girls were watching me.

“Ry-“ I held my hand up to stop Kylie from finishing her sentence. “Nope.” I snapped back.

“Bu-
“ Kris preceded to say as I cut her off with a nasty glare.  I shot a look to Amanda to let her know that she was not going to even try. That was all it took and she shut her mouth. 

We ended our day without any words.  I put the card I my desk drawer in my office.  I could not break down
here; I needed to keep it together so the girls wouldn’t see how much it affected me.  I stayed in my office a little longer than I needed and heard the girls yell bye as they left.

Finally feeling better I shut the office door and began to walk out.  Sitting on the front counter next to the flower
s was a pint of cookie dough ice cream and a snickers bar.  These girls knew me all too well.

I took one last look at the flowers and the shop to make sure everything was locked up tight and grabbed the ice cream.  I am glad I only live ten minutes from the shop because I was ready to inhale my dirty little habit. Then maybe I could let go and let the tears fall.

Chapter 7    

I felt better walking to work on Friday.  Last night I allowed myself to eat every bit of my little treats while soaking in the tub.  Feeling more like myself I took hold of my day.  We where slammed with walk-ins all day.  My eyes kept drifting back to my flowers, the thought of maybe was a constant reminder of what I could get myself into but my subconscious was taking up my better judgment.  The girls never once brought up Caleb or the flowers.  I think deep down the girls knew that I was struggling with feelings that I haven’t felt in a very long time. After the lunch crowd left the shop seemed to slow down a lot.  It gave us a chance to catch up on our daily duties and plan a little for the expanding shop that was coming up in less than a few weeks. 

As we were going through some plans the front door chimed and I felt
a sense of knowing.  I turned around and was staring at the one person that I have longed to see for a very long time. The face is the same as mine, the only difference is the big shit eating grin that laced hers and the surprised shock that laced mine.

I got up from my chair and
pretty much ran to my twin sister.  Just holding her in my arms seemed to make the world a better place.  “I figured you needed a hug from someone that truly loves you for you.” Squeezing the air right out of me Renee said.

“What are doing here?
Not that I am not grateful but I am shocked.”I let go of her just to get a good look at her.  She has always been a better dresser and much classier than me.  The only difference was that I was the only one with hair talent.

My sister was
dressed in snug blue jeans, a black sweater and black boots that came to her knees.  Her hair was pulled back in a low pony tail. “Well I figured I needed some new high lights and a trim.  Nothing too short, I still want to keep some length to it.”  I knew she was lying by the look in her eyes. But I was not about to push her.  I wanted her here no I needed her here. “Who called you?” I eyed her when I asked to see if I could tell if she would tell me the truth. “No one, cant a girl just come and see her baby sister when she fills like it? Plus I need my hair done. Ok?” For now I was going to let this go, but I am pretty sure she wouldn’t drive three hours just to come and get her hair cut because I normally only cut it around Christmas. So I think I am going to let it slide, plus I can’t be mad at the girls for calling her. I need my sister.

“So are you going to ask me to sit down or are you going to just stand there and give me the evil eye?”
She started heading for my chair hugging each one of the girls on the way. “Sooooo who got the pretty flower? Kris did your husband forget something again?” At her comment we all started laughing and Kris just snorted.  My sister is a very blunt outspoken woman who doesn’t let anything or anyone get in her way.  That’s what makes her such a great divorce attorney.

She has been one for a little over five years and is very good at it. The city of Austin has treated her well these last years. 
Sitting her down in my chair I get started on cutting her hair. “Would you please stop with the whole little sister thing?  It was only five minutes and if it wasn’t for the fact that I kicked your ass out first, I would have been born first so please enough with your crazy baby sister crap.  And secondly the flowers are mine like you didn’t know.  So are you going to tell me which bratty employee of mine decided to call you and tell you to come?” I gave her a knowing look waiting for her to spill her guts but she just shrugged it off.

“Look can
’t a girl just get the feeling that her baby sister needs her older much wiser sibling.  I mean I knew when you first got preggers, I knew when you got your heart ripped out, and now I know when your being a complete idiot.  So are we going to talk about him or are you just going to sit there and stare at me with your jaw on the ground?” Just for her comment I tugged a little harder on her head and cut two inches off her hair.  There that will teach her to be a little bitch. I grinned at myself inwardly.

“Ok ladies which one of you
is going to fill me with this guy because it looks like baby sister isn’t going to say a thing to me.  Oh by the way Kris, Anthony stopped by your hubby’s office.  I don’t know why but he dropped me off here and went to the office.  Something about grabbing a beer and meeting us back at your house.” Oh so it was Kris that called her.  Now I am really going to kill her and my sister.  I bet the two of them planned this. 

Before my sister left for Austin, her and Kris where thick as thieves.
I hadn’t heard from Kris in a long time until we met back up at school.  So I should have known that it was Kris before I even asked in the first place.  “Ok, are you guys staying with us or are you staying with Ryan?” Like she needed to ask that question.  I am sure they are staying with them.  My sister only stays with me when she is in town for Christmas.  Little visits she stays at Kris’ house so they can sit around and chat about their favorite subject…..ME. I know it’s silly but they don’t fool me.  My love life is something that they have been gushing over since my divorce two years ago.  I got to the point where I just let them go at it and have fun.  But now that she is here I guess at some point I will have to tell her about Caleb, that is if Kris hasn’t told her already.

“So how much of the mystery
man do you know? I am not stupid I know one of the girls called you.  Not that I don’t love seeing you but I know why you are here.” I roll my eyes as she tries to ignore my little jab at her. She is not fooling me one bit.  “I don’t know anything I swear.  I thought maybe I would hear a little something from you, have dinner, and just maybe go to a bar.  I was thinking we could do all this on Saturday.  Get everyone together.  We haven’t all been out in a very long time.  It will be lots of fun.  Plus I have to go home on Sunday and I want to get sloshed at least one night while I am in town.  Sound like a plan? Ok good.”

I just shake my head and begin to blow dry her hair.  I decided I wasn’t going to put color in her hair because she really isn’t here for that reason.  So a good two inch trim will have to suit her just fine.  “We will pick you up around seven tomorrow, go to your favorite little Mexican restaurant and then head out to the bar.  Sound good?” I nodded and rolled my eyes. She has always “told” me what we were doing, not asked.  I think it has to do with the big sister complex that she gets.  I am the middle child so I never get treated like the great one or get babied like the baby.  That one is reserved for our nineteen year old sister who just started college this year. (
She lives in Austin too, living with Renee.)

We closed up shop and made plans for the Mexican around seven.  Renee and Anthony are going to pick me at 6:30.  She told me that I better wear something cute or she was taking me back into the house and making me change. 

Everyone just shot me a knowing smile.  I swear when my sister comes to town no one gets in her way, not even my girls. Her and Kris headed out while me, Amanda, and Kylie closed up shop. 

“Just so you know I am glad she is here.  Maybe she will knock some sense into you.” Yelling at me
, Kylie said as she was walking away. I didn’t reply but just gave her a quick glare. With a big drawn out sigh I said goodnight to the girls and told them I would see them tomorrow. 

Walking to my car I was wondering if Kylie was going to bring a date out tomorrow.  Turning around I yelled across the parking lot to ask her.  She shot a glance at Amanda, weird, they shared a look and she responded. “Um…yeah, is that cool with you.”  I shook my head yes, when really it wasn’t
, great I am going to be the ninth wheel.  I have so much to look forward to.  I cannot wait for tomorrow night! 

I was hoping that this day wouldn’t fly by.  I wanted to enjoy my lazy day but it went by too fast
, before I knew it I was standing in front of my mirror getting ready for the night.  I opted for wavy locks, a grey sweater that hung a little above my knees, black leggings, and black knee high boots.  I tried to do the whole smoky eye thing but it didn’t work out very well but they still looked ok. 

I just barely finished before my sister and her husband walked through the front door.
“Let me get a good look at you before we leave.” She said yelling for me.  I walked out of my bedroom rolling my eyes and stood and did a 360 for her. “Very nice you will do” Looking at me up and down with a little smirk on her face.