Page 61 of Blindside Love

As we walk down the street, turning a couple of times to make our way to the hole-in-the-wall bar I love, I see her eyes light up right as she stops dead in her tracks, her hand pulling me back.

“You know the studio I’ve told you about? With Betty?”

“Yeah?”

“Want to see it? I mean, if you want to. I don’t want you to be bored.”

I hate that she always gives me an out. She does it for everyone, and I hate it, but I really hate how much she does it with me.

“Stop that. Stop thinking that what you want isn’t important. I would love to go to the studio. Will Betty be there? I’d love to finally meet this infamous lady,” I tell her truthfully.

“Oh boy, don’t tell her that. It’ll go straight to her head, and she doesn’t need that.” She laughs, pulling me across the street to a little studio with a bright blue sign.

As soon as we enter, I’m in awe. Inside, it’s cheerful and bright and exactly how I imagine Ellie’s boss to be.

The immediate change in Ellie’s demeanor almost catches me off guard. She’s been so happy all day, smiling and laughing as we’ve hung out together, but right now, she just seems so calm, so content, like this is her happy place. I can’t help but think of how far she’s come since moving in next to me.

From being unable to paint and losing the inspiration to do it, to creating beautiful art and having a studio become her sanctuary, it’s incredible. She reminds me of that painting I saw that she had been working on. It had a beautiful butterfly and completely reminded me of her in this moment, finally finding the confidence to fly.

I don’t want to slow her down. I don’t want to put a leash on her. I just want to be the one next to her, helping her every step of the way as she finds out just how strong she truly is.

It’s even better because she’s been helping me be stronger, even unintentionally. I finally feel like I’m strong enough, brave enough, to talk to my parents and just be open about my plans. She won’t be there with me at dinner, but I know she’ll support me before and after, and that’s enough to make me feel like I’m on solid ground again.

“What are you doing here, missy,” I hear a strong female voice speak, stopping Ellie in her tracks.

“I’m not here to work! Don’t worry!” She laughs. “Trevor, my friend and I were just heading to go grab a drink, and we were passing by. Figured I would show him my safe haven.”

I watch Betty throughout their interaction, and the first thing I notice is how she watches Ellie. This is someone who’s definitely on team Ellie, which means I’m already a fan of her. The second thing I notice is that she looks at me with a mixture of apprehension and approval. Needing to break the silence, I extend my hand, offering it to Betty with a friendly smile.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you. Ellie has told me so much about you,” I tell her, hoping she sees that I come in peace.

“I have to grab something in the back really quick. Why don’t you have a look around, Trevor?” Ellie says with a smile before scurrying off, Betty quickly following.

Girls are all the same, regardless of their age. They love the tea, and they love it hot.

Chapter 22

Ellie

Trevor

I’m going to turn your ass so red the next time we’re naked. Punish you for saying the word friend.

Okay, daddy.

“Ellie, I may be old, but I can still run. But I’ll kick your ass if you make me prove it,” Betty says as she follows me into the back.

She’s in her sixties, but I sure as hell wouldn’t go up against her. She’s from the south—Texas, to be exact. There’s something about Southern old ladies; they don’t play.

“Why would I be running? I just wanted to grab the paintbrushes I had sent here. I want to work on the big canvas I’ve had sitting off to the side,” I start rambling, hoping to throw her off, but based on her dramatic eye roll and deep sigh, she’s well aware of what I’m doing and is unamused.

“You think I don’t know you by now, girl? That friend of yours is mighty handsome. Is this the neighbor you may or may not have had relations with?”

“Can we please not say relations? Something about that coming from you gives me the ick,” I grumble jokingly.

“You do know that I’m married, right? For more than forty-five years. With children of my own?”

“Betty, you and your husband are like family to me. I do not want to know what y’all do in the bedroom. But to answer your question and hopefully change the subject, yes, that is Trevor. My neighbor, who I may or may not have feelings for.”

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