Page 65 of Forever Only Once

Chapter 14

Cross

I stoodin my home workshop, running my hands through my hair as I tried to figure out what I was going to do next. I had a few projects on my plate. I knew that I would get to them; I always did. I wasn’t one of those artists who had to be in the moment at any particular time so I could focus solely on that project. No, I only took the work I wanted to do, and figured out what I needed creatively to start them.

Those projects would come, and I would be ready for them, but for now, I needed to clear my head so I could focus on what I needed to do and then finish up these papers with my lawyer.

I was finally dissolving the partnership, and most likely suing Chris if things didn’t get worked out beforehand.

I wasn’t going to talk to him again, hence why I was working here, with my lawyer doing most of the work for me so all I had to do was focus on making more money outside of what Chris could steal from me.

I still couldn’t believe that he had forged so many fucking documents. But I should, shouldn’t I?

After all, that was the whole reason I was leaving the partnership to begin with. Because I didn’t trust him. I never should have.

I had lots going on in my head, but it wasn’t just Chris on my mind. I was wondering why the hell Hazel hadn’t texted me yet.

Usually, we texted throughout the day, but I always let her text me first because her schedule was such that she would likely be surrounded by people. I didn’t want to bother her.

So now, I waited. And I seriously hated waiting.

Hell. I’d become a teenage boy, dealing with texting. But I couldn’t help myself.

I picked up my phone and looked at the time. She would be out of work by now. Would likely be home. And she hadn’t contacted me. Why was I so worried about this?

Things were going fucking fantastic between us. I shouldn’t stress out just because everything else in my life was up in the air. Go ahead with Hazel? We were still processing things, but it was good. I wasn’t going to fuck it up.

So why did I feel like that was the only thing I was doing these days?

I sighed, glanced around my empty workshop, then picked up my phone.

Me: Good day at work?

Good one, Cross.

Jesus. It was like I’d forgotten how to speak to another person—text or not. If she needed space, I should give it to her. This whole relationship thing was new to her, just like it was to me. I hadn’t been in a serious relationship because I hadn’t found the right person. I thought Hazel might be that person, and it should worry me that I thought that, but it didn’t.

No, I wanted more. Maybe that was why I was so nervous.

Hazel: Sorry, been busy all day. How are you?

Not many words. Somehow, I felt like I was annoying her.

This whole thing with Chris had me rethinking everything I was doing. What the hell? I was terrible at dating. I had told her multiple times that I was good at other things. Like communicating with fucking people.

Why was I messing up like this?

Me: Just wanted to see how you were doing since I knew you were working today. I’m at home thinking about what project to start next.

I looked down at the phone, wondering if I should say anything else. I had no idea what she wanted me to say.

Me: I missed you.

There was such a long pause, that I was afraid that I had said the wrong thing, that I’d said too much.

I didn’t feel like I was baring my soul. How could I be when I didn’t know what she wanted from me?

I felt like I was messing up once again. I didn’t even know what I wanted or what she needed.