Sketch - Laramie Briscoe Page 0,1

was so pissed off, because I was so crippled by the grief of my wife leaving me. Today, I do it because it makes me feel good about myself.

Turning into the driveway and running towards the garage, I run around the back and go in through the kitchen, off the deck. So far Nina hasn’t asked for the house, and I don’t think she will. It’s too much upkeep for her, and I’ve made a few changes. Falling into that black hole wasn’t an option, and it still isn’t.

Gone is the cheery yellow that had once been our living room color; in its place is a neutral gray. A new TV is now on the wall, and the frilly couch she had picked out is gone too. Now, there’s a sectional that allows me to kick back, relax, and play games, watch porn, whatever the case may be.

I’m breathing heavily as I walk back into the kitchen, open the refrigerator door, and grab a bottle of water. Popping the top, I lift the mouth to my own and drain it, gulping down the cool liquid before I put the empty bottle to my forehead. Grabbing my cell phone off the counter, I see that I’ve missed a call and have a voicemail. Dialing, I put the phone on speaker as I walk towards the bedroom where the master bath is, taking off my sweaty clothes.

“Hey, Devin, I know you don’t recognize this number, but I had to get a new phone since you cut me off our plan.”

It’s the voice of my soon-to-be ex-wife. I grin to myself at the thought of removing her from our cell phone plan. She left me high and dry, and as petty as it sounds, it gives me a little thrill to do the same to her.

“I have a few things at the house I would like to come and get,” she is saying. “Please either text me or call me back with a time that’s convenient for you.”

So proper. Even when we first started dating, we hadn’t been that proper. I swallow roughly, realizing how far the two of us had drifted from one another. It isn’t like I hadn’t realized it within two weeks after she left, but this is a stark reminder. Glancing at the clock, I see I only have an hour to take a shower and get to the shop. Grabbing my phone, I think long and hard about the text I want to send her.

I work today. Shop closes at ten, be here at ten-thirty?

I don’t hold much hope she will text me back, but I carry my phone with me to the bathroom anyway, putting it on the counter as I let the water warm up. Just before I step under the spray, my text beeps. Nina.

Typical. Put the shop first. I’ll see you at ten-thirty.

*

“Hey boss!”

I look up as Jackie, my front counter girl, welcomes me into my shop, also called Sketch. This place, it’s been my home, my salvation, my reason for living for the last six months. I love everything here.

“You’re here early,” I tell her. Usually I’m the first one here, and she’s dragging ass through the door with five minutes to spare.

Jackie scrunches her nose at me. “I had an early class. Figured for once I would be early.”

“I’m gonna head over to the coffee shop before I get started. I need caffeine,” I tell her as I do a quick sweep of the shop. It’s a habit I have; making sure everything is in its place. I have worked my ass off to have it. I want to make sure I keep it.

“Can you grab me something too?” she asks, bending over to pull money out of her purse.

There’s a reason Jackie is my front counter girl. She’s built for sin, and she dresses for it too. There have been a few times, especially in the last few weeks, when she’s looked at me like she’s interested, but I won’t do that. I value my shop, and there’s still too much to deal with when it comes to Nina.

“Yeah, whatever you want, I got it,” I tell her.

“Thanks.” She gives me a flirty smile. “Do you want the agenda?”

I always want the agenda. Being on top of things here allows me to forget that my personal life has gone to shit. “Hit me.”

She flips through the paper appointment book we have as a backup to our computer system. “First appointment is