Page 136 of Straight to Me

VP: Why the fuck did you hang up? This isn’t a game, answer your phone!

VP: Mads! Pick up

VP: Look, I fucked it all up, I know that, just please answer your phone

VP: You can hate me as much as you want to, but right now I need you to trust me.

His last message was sent twenty minutes ago. Rather than call I hit reply.

Me: I finish work at four. I’ll call you then

His reply couldn’t have come through any quicker.

VP: Where’s your new work, I’ll pick you up when you finish?

Me: No, you won’t. If I tell you, you’ll come for me now. This is my job, Dean. My career. I can’t have you show up and drag me away some place. I’m not yours anymore. So, leave me alone, and I’ll call you at four

He doesn’t reply.

The rest of my day couldn’t have been any shittier. I got the wrong room for Lauren’s lecture I was supposed to sit in on, which then left me running late to my meeting with her new teachers. They caught me up to speed, but I was ashamed for being so distracted.

At the end of the day, having text her asking her to meet me outside the gate at the front of school, I’m actually surprised she stayed on to see me. At ten past four, I find her sat on a bench reading peacefully.

“What’re you reading?

“Oh hey, Miss.”

“What did I tell you about calling me Miss,” I say making her smile as I sit beside her.

“It’sWhere the Crawdads singby Delia Owens, have you read it?”

“Yes, I loved it. What do you think?”

“I think I’m a lot like the girl. Alone, just stumbling along.” She stares off to the distance, lost in thought.

I know what you mean. “I feel a bit lost too right now,” I stupidly say out loud.

“With me?”

“No, kid. Believe it or not, my new job and working with you is the one thing I’m sure of. It’s all the other stuff away from here making me feel lost.”

“Guy stuff?”

“Yeah, guy stuff,” I chuckle. “Look, I need to apologise for being late to your lecture earlier.”

“Miss—” I raise my eyebrows at her, “I mean Mads, sorry.” Smiling I nod my head. “You were late by three minutes, don’t lose sleep over it.”

“Three minutes late is still late. And I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted, although, things would be a lot easier if you didn’t strive for perfection. Just accept that nobody’s perfect.”

Her words shock me. Showing a wisdom far beyond her age once again. But she’s right. Ihadstrived for perfection when I was with Chris; liking everything in order and things running how I wanted them. I still like things my way, but with Dean, he’d already taken care of everything before I could over-think it.

“What are your plans for Saturday? I thought we could have lunch or hang out if you’re free for a few hours?” I ask her.

“You don’t have plans?”

“Uh, no, that’s why I’m asking.” She looks at me like I’m the biggest loser going.

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