Page 24 of Loving the CEO

I feared turning off Airplane Mode but finally convinced myself that it was for the best. As expected, I had a lot of messages—thirty, to be exact.

Mom's popped out at the top of the list.

Mom: I can't believe you did this. I can't believe it. I raised you better than that.

She was a handful, but still I loved her. She'd had a very rough life. After Dad left, I’d been heartbroken, wondering why he disappeared from our lives. But I’d come to terms with it over the years.

I remembered when Leo and I exchanged stories about our families. It had shocked me that someone else had gone through something similar—and it was the first time I was grateful that I didn’t really know why Dad left us. Knowing didn’t make things better.

Mom had worked three jobs.Three. I never saw her because she worked herself to the bone, and because of that, she wanted better for me. For me to marry a man who could keep me financially comfortable. But that wasn’t what I wanted and was why going to college and getting an education was so important to me. I had completely different opportunities than she’d had, and it was all because of my degree. That was the part Mom just didn’t understand.

I couldn't help myself and checked Walter's messages. They were all nasty, the last one taking the cake.

Walter: You’ll regret this. You'll never find a good catch like me again.

My mouth hung open as I reread it. Was he serious? I didn't even care anymore; I was so mad at him that I didn't even feel pain.

Well, no, that wasn't true. Every time I remembered his conversation with that woman, I wanted to crumble all over again. But somehow, I didn't feel sad about our lost future. I’d had troubles conjuring it up for months, which should have been an indicator if I’d thought about it. I was almost relieved that I didn't have to marry him anymore. What did that really say about me?

Sigh.

Then I found a message from Debbie.

Debbie: Everything's taken care of. I made sure to tell them that New Orleans's golden boy is a cheating bastard. He tried to spread some BS about you running off with Leo (which I would totally agree with because that man is HOT).

I burst out in an unladylike laugh, thelaugh, snort, laugh, snortkind. It all rolled out of me. I wiped my happy tears before continuing to read.

Debbie: But I set the record straight and told everyone what happened. Tell me when you land.

I loved her so damn much. I replied quickly.

Tory: I'm in Boston now. Thanks for taking care of everything.

Debbie: Tell me you're not crying your eyes out.

Tory: I'm not. I almost feel guilty.

Debbie: No the fuck you don’t! That asshole deserves zero time in your life. Walter the Dickwad is over. Done.

Tory: Okay.

Didn’t I say I loved her?

Debbie: I require evidence of no tears.

I sat on the bed and snapped a selfie of myself, sending it to her right away.

Tory: See? I just took a shower. That's why my face is red.

Debbie: Uh-huh. Good thing I have Leo's number. I'll tell him to take care of my girl.

I typed back one last message.

Tory: I'm putting this on Airplane Mode again. Don't want to risk anyone calling me.

Debbie: Yep, good idea. All good on my end. Just keep in touch when you’ve got time.

After that, I dressed. It was chillier in Boston than New Orleans, so I put on jeans and a polo shirt. I knew I should probably go shopping at some point for other clothes, but that was a problem for another day. I had to set up my workstation, but that mostly meant getting out my laptop, and I didn’t have to do that today either.

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