Page 15 of Blindside Love

“You can take the word kind of out of that sentence. No offense, but the guy sucks. Where’s Addy?”

“She’s there. At her father’s. Probably why I’m in such a shitty mood. Actually, do you have a minute to help me? If you don’t mind, of course. I’m sure you’ve got somewhere more important you need to be, so, uh… never mind, just forget I said anything.”

“Not a chance, kitten. What do you need help with?”

She still looks nervous, like she doesn’t quite know how to ask for help.

No one should feel like a burden for needing help.

“Can you tell me where the recycling is? I’ve had to break down so many boxes that I practically have a mountain inside my apartment that I need to take out.”

“Are you heading up there now? I’ll show you.”

“You don’t mind? I don’t want to bother you when I’m sure you have way more fun things that you could be doing.”

“Nah, not at all. In fact, I’m starting to think I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”

With a smile, I grab my things. “Now lead the way, kitten. We’ve got some boxes to move.”

Her eyes stare up at me in utter and complete shock. It’s a mixture of happiness and uncertainty, and I can’t help but completely hate that she’s feeling this way right now. I joked earlier about her being a kitten because she’s feisty. She’s also sensitive, and I can see that she’s been wounded before.

This little kitten has been hurt, abandoned, and left to fend for herself—that much I can already tell. Maybe I can help her feel just a little less alone.

Chapter 7

Ellie

As soon as I woke up this morning, I had this intense urge to set up my art studio. I can’t explain it, but it was like the second I was awake, the only thing I could think about was painting. After months of avoiding it, keeping everything in boxes, even back at our old house, I finally have the urge to paint again. I have no expectations for it, but I’ve missed the desire to create and design, and I can feel it building inside of me.

Natalie had put all the boxes in the last bedroom, but I refused to let her unpack them no matter how much she begged. I even held strong when she tried to be bossy. I refused to back down.

But now, I’m unpacking the last box before Natalie comes over to go out for a weekday brunch. Addy’s back with her dad this week, and I don’t have to be at the studio for work until tomorrow evening.

“Knock, knock, motherfucker!” Natalie sing-songs as she shuts the door behind her.

Why I thought I could finish unpacking this before she got here is beyond me. She’s always early, which is why she has the only other key for this place. Well… that and just in case she needs to come watch Addy for me. She’s all I have; it’s not like I can call my parents, they’d just tell me to go back home, and my husband would be able to watch his daughter.

What they don’t realize is that he just has a nanny that watches her. Addy told me last weekend that her dad was only there to tuck her in two of the nights that she was there. It broke my heart because she doesn’t deserve an absent father.

“Where are you?” Natalie shouts from the hall.

“In the back room. Just finishing up something really quick.”

I hear her come in, but am still surprised when she runs up behind me and wraps her arms around me, an excited squeal coming out of her tiny self.

“What’s this for?”

“I’m just happy to see that you’re finally setting up your studio.” She giggles, giving one last squeeze before stepping back to look around. “It looks great. I see you got some new supplies, too?”

“Yeah, honestly, I woke up and just had this urge to paint. I went out first thing this morning to pick up some new supplies. I figured this way, if I do get more ideas for what to paint, I’ll be able to start instead of coming up with another excuse.”

Natalie smiles, pure happiness radiating off of her. It’s why she’s my best friend, my other half. Quite possibly, my soul mate. She’s the only person I truly believe has always just wanted me to be happy.

She never cares about anything else, just that.

“Love that. What brought all this on?”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

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