Page 145 of Take My Name

“Maisie, be reasonable.”

“Me? Do you hear yourself?” I pace the room, trying to wrap my head around what the hell is happening. “Mama, I’ve always tried to make you and Daddy happy and proud of me, but there ain’t no way I’m gettin’ married to that man. He knew I was gonna tell him it’s over, especially after I told him I wasn’t sure Icould sign the papers and needed to talk to him in person, so he purposely sent those out to play mind games. And y’all are gonna let him win if you take his side.”

“Five hundred Save the Dates went out…how do you expect me to explain to our closest friends and families that suddenly the weddin’ is canceled?”

“I really don’t care.” I huff, waving my arms around. “Get a banner plane and let it fly over the city: Callaway Wedding Canceled. Bride Went Back to Her Husband.”

She scoffs, not entertained by my lashing out. “Now don’t be ridiculous.”

“They’ll figure out when the invitations don’t go out. Who cares?”

“Your father, for starters. How’s it gonna look to his business associates to find out his daughter’s wedding’s been canceled?”

“Half of ’em should worry about their own marriages instead of mine. The other half’s children don’t even talk to ’em anymore ’cause all they care about is money and their reputation. Would be a shame if you entered that half,” I snap.

She stomps over and slaps me hard across the face. “You watch your mouth.”

I’m frozen, shocked, unable to breathe at the reality of her hitting me.

She’s never done that before.

“You need to come home and take care of this. Preferably before Hayes does.”

She walks out without another word and I’m left reeling from what took place.

Begrudgingly, I get ready and repack all my shit that’s made a mess across the bedroom and bathroom. Once I’m able to move in, I’ll be much more organized.

Then I make the bed and clean up the best I can. Warren knows I’m meeting with Hayes today, but I was hoping to talk to him before I left.

When he doesn’t answer my call, I drive over to the stables to check if he’s in his office.

“Sorry, Maisie,” Bodie says. “He’s guidin’ some guests on a trail ride since no one else was available at the time. Should be back in half an hour.”

“Shit…” I chew my lower lip, tapping my foot nervously against the cement. “I have to go home and deal with some stuff. I was hopin’ to see him before I left, but I guess I can text him.”

“He probably doesn’t have service, but you can try.”

“Well, just in case, can you tell him I was here? Let him know I’ll call him as soon as I can.”

“Sure, no problem.”

“Thanks, Bodie.”

“Wait.” He stops me before I can walk out. “Everythin’ okay with you?”

“Yeah…” I try to sound convincing. “My fiancé, er, ex-fiancé, ain’t makin’ things easy with breakin’ off the engagement, so I just need to put out a couple fires.”

“Well…” He stands taller. “If you need a third party to come kick his ass, you know where to find me.”

I bark out a laugh, appreciating the offer. “I’ll definitely let you know.”

Once I’m in my car, I send Warren a text to let him know I stopped by and that I have to get home so he doesn’t worry. As expected, it doesn’t go through, but hopefully he’ll see it once he’s back to the stables.

My mind runs nonstop on the drive home. Besides my mother, who doesn’t have a compassionate bone in her body, I’m furious with Hayes for the stunt he pulled. He knows how my parents are and how they’d push me to keep the wedding date if it meant they didn’t have to go through the embarrassment of explaining why it was called off.

He also knows I don’t like disappointing my parents, even as awful as they can be sometimes, but the girl who needed their praise and acceptance is no longer the girl he’ll see today.

Being back here brought me so much needed clarity. It’s as if I’ve been living in a fog for the past seven years, but it finally lifted, and I can see clearly again.