Pieces of Me by Pua Ramona (small books to read txt) 📕

at The Hut, be there by nine and don’t be late ladies and assholes” Luka says. We all laugh at his stupid announcement. I stand there looking around at these happy faces and deep down there’s still this void in my heart and I can’t figure out why. I shake it off as Leila passes out the cupcakes and everyone digs in. Daniel hands out shot glasses and says “Birthday shot for the nerd girl” and everyone yells “Cheers, nerd.” I have never laughed so hard until this very moment. I feel my heart aching because I know after this weekend, Emma and I will be flying back home early Monday morning. I sigh for my sad heart, but smile for my heart so full of love.

Chapter Six

Eli

Reese texts me that he’ll be to work after he stops at the Petersons place. It makes me angry that he’s becoming close friends with them, whilst I'm stuck out on the edge. I wasn’t sure if he would be seeing Sina whilst he’s there because he never mentioned anything about her and I was too chicken shit to ask him. I assume that he was just visiting her brothers, until he walks into the office looking too happy. “Why are you so damn happy?” I snap.

“Why can’t I be happy dude?” he snaps back.

I sit back in my chair and snark at him, “Did Lei finally suck your dick?” I don’t mean it, but I want to get a rise out of him so that I wasn't the only one in a mood.

Reese grabs me by my collar and says “What the hell is your problem Eli? You’ve been acting like an asshole for the past few fucking days. I don’t know what the fuck your problem is but you need to figure it the fuck out because I don’t have time to deal with your little kid mood swings.” He lets go of my shirt and walks out the office slamming the door behind him.

I feel shitty for using Lei as a jab at Reese to deflect from the fact that he's right, I have been an asshole for the last few days. My phone buzzes and it's Becca again. She’s been blowing my phone up all day and texting me with her half ass apologies. I don’t know why I ever fucked with her this long. I’ve been told repeatedly that she wasn’t a good match for me. But I’m a guy and she was always available, so I got comfortable. I need someone to talk some sense into me. I shake my head, grab my phone and dial my Mama’s number and wait for her to answer her phone.

“Hey my sweet boy! You must be having a bad day if you’re calling me from work” Mama answers with a smile in her voice. I hold on to my phone and wonder why I never visit anymore, and it dawns on me that Becca never wanted to go. So to save the drama of leaving her alone to spend time with my Mama, I just bailed on visiting altogether. I can’t believe how much I’ve changed whilst I’ve been around her. I must look like an asshole to everyone. I mean I was always with Reese and Lei, but then I would leave when Becca would call or text to meet her at my place. “Elijah sweetie, are you there?” Mama asks, because I’ve been silent since she answered, pondering how much of an asshole I’ve become.

“Yeah, I’m here Mama. Are you busy right now?” I can feel her hope of a visit through the phone.

“No, I’ll have lunch ready when you get here. Is Reese coming with you?” she asks.

I close my eyes, “No, he’s pissed off at me right now, so it’ll be just me Mama.”

She’s quiet for a second and then she says “Well, I’ll be here Son, love you.”

With that, I grab my coat and leave the office to go have a long overdue lunch with my Mama.

I make it to Mama’s in twenty minutes. I park my truck and make sure I’ve got my phone on loud in case the office needs me. I get to the front door and my phone buzzes, and I see Becca calling again. I lean my forehead on the door and wait for the ringing to stop. Not ten seconds pass and it starts buzzing again, so I just turn my phone off. Fuck the office, they’ll have to call Reese. I tuck my phone in my pocket and the door flies open “Are you going to stand out here all afternoon or are you going to come inside and apologize for staying away from your mama?” Mama says with a smirk.

Stepping inside and I pick her up and apologize. “I’m sorry for staying away and for not listening to you Mama. Forgive me?” I say giving her my best puppy dog face.

She gives me a big kiss then turns it into a raspberry and says “Put me down sweet boy before you drop me.” I hold on for a moment longer and then place her back to the floor.

“What’s for lunch?” I ask as I walk behind her and see she’s made my favorite sandwich and an apple pie

“Grab something to drink and go sit at the table. I’ll bring your food over” she says. I do as I am told and sit at the table. “Now, do you want to tell me what’s going on with you? Why is Reese mad at you?” Mama looks at me as I take a big bite of my sandwich. I wonder why I ever moved out of the house and shove in another bite before stopping to pick up my water.

“I’ve been acting like a total asshole, and I’ve been taking it out on Reese and Leila” I say from behind my glass.

Mama makes a funny sound and asks “Why