“Shark told me. You’re gonna have to cut a shitload of hair for a hundred-thousand-dollar bond.”
“I know I can’t do it alone. I was hoping Shark and my mom would help. I can’t stand knowing he’s in jail.” Mia had always been much closer to Finn than to Vic. Maybe it was because she and Finn were only three years apart versus the five-year difference with Vic, or it could have been Finn’s willingness to understand and support her when their mother treated her so badly. Vic always seemed to take their mother’s side, and when he was in charge, which was often, he was a cruel and unyielding dictator to all of them. At eighteen she’d moved to Tucson, and that was when Finn started spiraling downward. Even though her therapist kept telling her it wasn’t her fault, Mia still blamed herself for leaving him behind. Now Finn was in a shitload of trouble, and she didn’t know how to help him.
“He put his own ass in jail. You shouldn’t have to be responsible for him. He’s fucking twenty-three years old.”
Anger pricked at her nerves. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I have to get ready for work. It was nice talking to you.”You’re a jerk just like Vic and all his other stupid friends.
“I didn’t mean to make you mad. I’m sorry you’re going through all this with Finn.”
“Thanks,” she mumbled, not believing him one bit.
“Let me take you out to dinner. You’ll have a bunch of coffee in you by then.” He laughed.
So he thinks it’s just because I haven’t drunk any coffee. What is it with men?She rubbed the side of her neck. “I’m at Champion tonight.”
“What’s Champion?”
A sigh escaped from her lips. “A training gym. I really have to go.”
“What about tomorrow?”
“That’s not good either. How long are you staying?”
“Until the end of the week.”
“Let’s plan on lunch. Maybe … Sunday, or will you be gone by then?” Mia smiled at Snickers licking her black paws.
“Sunday’s good. I can leave early Monday, but I’d like to see you more than once while I’m here.”
“It’s already Wednesday, and my days are really booked; plus, I’ve already made plans for the weekend. Sunday lunch is all I can do.” Lunch was safe—a few hours max.
“Okay. I’ll call you later.”
“Bye, Noe.” Mia put the phone down on the mattress and covered her eyes with her palm.What a shitty way to start the day.Shuffling to the bathroom, Mia wished she wouldn’t have answered the phone. She turned on the shower and let it run for a few seconds before stepping in, then she placed one hand on the wall underneath the shower head and let the warm water cascade over her shoulders and down her back.
* * *
As the daywent by, Mia was so busy that she didn’t have a chance to chat with Ronica when she’d come over to Mia’s station earlier in the afternoon. That morning, Mia had put the phone on the counter to make sure she didn’t miss any calls, and as the day wore on, she became more and more perturbed by the lack of communication from Army. What had she expected? A gush of emotion telling her it was one of the best dates he’d had—probably theonlydate—and that he was looking forward to seeing her again?He’s probably pissed as hell because I didn’t put out last night. I bet he’ll stand me up. He’s a player—I called it the first time I saw him.
As the time neared seven o’clock, a throbbing headache surfaced as she dropped the styling brush on the floor.
“Sorry. I’m so clumsy,” she said to Keri—her last appointment of the day. This was the third thing she’d dropped in the last fifteen minutes.What the hell’s the matter with me?She glanced at her silent phone for the umpteenth time of the day.
“That’s okay. As I was saying, I brought what I thought was a nice dip for my daughter’s ballet recital, and some of the women thought I was committing atoo much high fatcrime.” Keri laughed while shaking her head.
“Please don’t move,” Mia said.
“Sorry. So I told them …”
He didn’t say he was going to call. We made a date at a specific time and said we’d meet at Champion. Why would he call? There’s no reason to, but I thought he’d call to confirm or say he had a good time last night … or any damn thing. I bet he’ll be a no show. Shit … I hate this. I don’t care … yeah I do. Shit.
“Don’t you think that was right?” Keri asked, looking at Mia in the mirror.
“Absolutely.”What the hell is she talking about? Something about a creamy dip with too much fat.Her stomach rumbled.I’m starving. I haven’t eaten anything since I left this morning. I need protein.
“I’m glad you can see my point.” Keri looked at the back of her head with the mirror Mia handed her. “I love it, but I always do. You’re the best. Did Rebecca Michaels ever call you? I told her how fabulous you are.”
“She did. I thought I mentioned it to you. Thanks for the referral.”