Page 29 of Given to the Prez
“You prepared a picnic?”she asked, turning toward Doc.
“Yes, I did.I think it’s a good idea for you to get away from whatever is troubling you, and this is one of my favorite spots.”
“It is?”she asked.The view was stunning.It looked so secluded, and it seemed no one knew of this lake, because the ground hadn’t been worn.
“Yeah, I found it not long after we lost Jake.”
“We’re not in Rivermont Ridge?”she asked.
“No, on the outskirts, but not a lot of people come through here.It’s like a dead road.”
“And you came here after you lost your son?”
“I needed to get away from all the shit.”
She looked around and then sat down on top of the blanket, as Doc poured them both a glass of flavored sparkling water.The bubbles were light, and the drink was fruity.She took a sip and smiled at Doc.“Have you ever brought anyone else here?”
“No one,” he said.“You’re the first person.”
This meant something.It was his special hiding place, and he’d brought her along.“It’s beautiful.”
“It’s peaceful and allows me to think.”
“You believe I need time to think?”
“You’re going through something right now.”
She looked down at her glass.“You noticed.”
“You keep your cell phone on vibrate or you turn it off.You’ve not gone back to work, and I’ve heard you giving jobs away.I heard Kristin offered you a space at the salon, and you’re helping Charlotte out.I’ve even heard Eden said this is the longest time you’ve ever had off.”
“I didn’t think anyone noticed.”
“They notice when you’re gone, of course they’re going to notice you’re still here.”
She smiled but this time it was forced.“Trying to get rid of me, I see.”
He shook his head.“Worried about you.”
“Eden doesn’t need to be worried.”
“You’re her sister, of course she’s worried.”
But they didn’t talk about it.They rarely had time to talk about anything.Razor was always there, and Maeve didn’t want to talk about her own world with him there.
“What are you thinking?”
“It’s a lot right now.Eden’s pregnant, and I know it’s stupid because I figured we would always live together, even though I also knew we would find ...other people to be with.It’s messed up and I get that.”She shrugged.“I don’t know.There’s just a lot to take in right now.”
“You’re sad about not being number one in Eden’s life?”he asked.
“I was never number one in her life.”
“She has always been number one in your life.”
Maeve took a deep breath, she felt that burning within her throat, and she didn’t want to cry.She didn’t want to feel this emotional.“I have no idea what is going on with me.”
Doc moved behind her, and she tried to pull away, but he banded an arm around her waist.“Just talk.It doesn’t have to make any kind of sense, but whatever it is that is eating away at you, you need to talk about it.There’s no judgment from me.Just talk.”
