Page 32 of Rescue My Heart
“No, not really,” McKenna admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Come on, let’s talk,” Ember said, leading her to a more secluded corner of the garage.
They settled onto a pair of worn-out stools, and Ember leaned in, her eyes searching McKenna’s face for answers. “What happened?”
“It’s Mazey,” McKenna said, her voice cracking. “She ended things over a text. I don’t even know what to think.”
“Yeah, I got a message from Josephine this morning,” Ember said, her brow furrowed with concern as she leaned against the workbench. “She heard some nurses gossiping about it at the hospital. I’m sure Mazey’s freaking out right now. But I didn’t think she would just end things with you.”
“Yeah, I didn’t either,” McKenna replied, frustration tightening her chest. “You know I really liked her. I’ve never felt that way about anyone before. It seemed like we had a real connection. Especially last night. I mean, all of us together. It felt so right.”
Ember crossed her arms, contemplating McKenna’s words. “Mazey seemed like she liked you a lot. Do you really think she would give it up over a tiny scandal?”
McKenna sighed, dragging a hand through her hair. “I mean, from the beginning, she talked about how important this new netflix show was for her and that she couldn’t let anything get in her way. I don’t think someone she met recently is going to deter her from making all her dreams come true. And who knows? Maybe I was just an experiment for her.”
“Hey, don’t think that way,” Ember said firmly, stepping closer to McKenna. “All it’s going to do is hurt you. You need to remember that Mazey lives in a completely different world from us. We live in a community that embraces who we are and doesn’t scrutinize us. Our world is woman-dominated. Hers isn’t. It’s a really big decision she needs to make, and it could take her some time to come to realize what’s really important.”
McKenna nodded slowly, processing Ember’s words. “I get that, but it’s just…hard. I don’t want to be a secret or some fling she can easily toss aside. I thought we had something real, something that could last.”
Ember reached out and squeezed McKenna’s shoulder, a gesture of comfort. “You’re not a fling, McKenna. You know that. Just look at how you both clicked. The chemistry was undeniable. It’s just that the stakes are higher for her. Hollywood can be brutal, especially when it comes to personal lives. She probably feels trapped between wanting to be true to herself and wanting to protect her career.”
“I know,” McKenna said, her voice trembling. “But that doesn’t make it any easier. I feel like I’m on this emotional roller coaster. One minute, I’m hopeful, and the next, I’m convinced she’s going to walk away and never look back.”
“That may be how it seems now, but you don’t know what’s going on in her head,” Ember continued. “It’s better not to assume anything.”
“Yeah, but what am I supposed to do in the meantime?” McKenna asked, her frustration slipping through her voice.
“You know, you have to do what feels right for you,” Ember replied. “If it’s such a great love, maybe give her space, but be open to whatever may happen. You never know.”
“You’re right,” McKenna agreed aloud, but inside, she felt an overwhelming urge to shut out everything and everyone. The feeling was foreign and uncomfortable. She’d never let herself care for someone the way she did for Mazey. And to have that connection ripped away so suddenly over a text with no chance to respond made her feel helpless. She hated not having control.
Ember gave her a soft nudge. “Why don’t you go do things you enjoy to take your mind off it? There’s no sense in dwelling on it, especially on your day off. You deserve a break. Me and a few of the girls from the garage are heading over to Ace. Why don’t you join us? Have some fun, knock back a few drinks.”
McKenna gave a small smile but shook her head. “Thanks for the invite, but I think I’m gonna head to the gym.”
Ember laughed. “Just don’t punch anyone’s lights out while you’re there!”
McKenna chuckled back, feeling a bit lighter. “No promises. See ya.”
As she drove to the gym, her mind raced, replaying every memory of Mazey. Every small laugh they’d shared, every look that lingered a bit too long. The ache in her chest was raw, and she knew she’d have to sweat it out or it would consume her.
Once inside, she focused on the weights, pushing herself harder than usual. The burn in her muscles was grounding, a reminder that she was strong, even if her heart felt fragile. As she finished a set, she noticed the loud clatter of weights and the rhythmic hum of people around her. The routine brought her a semblance of peace. She moved from one exercise to the next, her mind settling into a steady rhythm.
But her thoughts still drifted back to Mazey. She wondered if Mazey felt the same pull she did or if she’d already moved on,brushing it all off as a mistake. The idea twisted something deep inside her, fueling her next rep, the weights clinking with each movement.
An hour later, sweat dripped down her back, her muscles aching in a satisfying way. She felt slightly more at ease, yet her chest still held that hollow ache, reminding her of how much Mazey meant to her. McKenna sat on a bench, wiping her face with a towel. She knew she couldn’t make Mazey’s decisions for her, but she wished Mazey had given them a real chance instead of closing the door before they’d even fully opened it.
She walked into the locker room and checked her phone, half-expecting a message from Mazey apologizing, telling her it was all a mistake. But there was nothing. She took a deep breath, steeling herself.
Maybe Ember was right. She couldn’t control what Mazey did, but she could control how she responded. If Mazey truly cared, maybe she’d come back. And if not, McKenna would find a way to move forward, just like she always did.
McKenna decided she might as well go to the bar. Ember was right. It had been a long time since she’d had a real night off, and she shouldn’t waste it sulking around. Her house was the last place she’d seen Mazey before she ended things, and returning to that empty, quiet space felt too raw. The thought of sitting there, surrounded by memories, was unbearable. She didn’t want to risk seeing any reminders of Mazey and spiraling into the hurt all over again.
Instead, she decided she’d shower at the gym, grab a quick bite, and then hit the bar. She’d avoid her phone, stay away from any screens that might show Mazey’s face, and pretend, just for one night, that Mazey didn’t exist. She knew Ember wouldn’t tell anyone, so she wouldn’t have to worry about fielding any prying questions or offering explanations. Tonight, she could just be herself without the weight of her broken heart in every glance.
As she stepped into the shower, McKenna let the hot water wash over her, her body aching from the intense workout she’d just finished. She stood there for a moment, feeling the heat soak into her muscles, soothing the tension and frustration that had built up inside her. The gym shower had always been a place of quiet for her, a place where she could let her guard down in privacy. She was glad she’d chosen to shower here; the gym had enough people moving in and out that she’d never allow herself to break down.
McKenna was a firefighter, part of a team that saved people’s lives. She didn’t need anyone in town seeing her vulnerable or hearing whispers that she’d been crying. They depended on her strength and resilience. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back, letting the water cleanse more than just her skin.