Beale Street Blues by Angela Kay Austin Read Free Book Online Page A

She wanted desperately to forget the look of disappointment in Jaxon's beautiful green eyes as she stood to walk away.
    He'd ripped the letter that she'd so painfully typed into pieces without even reading it. A small part of her tingled with happiness that he tore it up, but the part of her that was pissed at Rodney, Barbara and Jaxon didn't like it one bit.
    While she waited on her food, she called the only friend she had. At least the only one she still had after the divorce. The others all seemed to disappear with Steve.
    With the click of the line, she asked, "Hey, what are you doing?"
    "Trying to get out the door," Annette responded.
    At least somebody had a life. She could live vicariously. "Where're you off to?"
    "Going out with that guy I told you about the other day." There was a rustle of something in the background. "I don't even know why I'm even putting in so much effort."
    "You don't sound too excited." She knew her friend was probably spinning in front of her mirror checking out her appearance. Maybe trying to determine which shoe worked better with her outfit. If nothing else, Annette was definitely fashion conscious. "Maybe you should stay home and go out on a different day when you feel more like it."
    "Um, I don't know. I guess it's more about men not putting in much effort. Like this guy. Can you tell me why he prefers to text vs. talk?" Annette sighed. "He has my number why doesn't he use it?"
    "Are you really asking the divorcee with no prospects about men?" It was almost too pathetic. She inhaled the plate of food placed in front of her. "You may not like the choices in front of you, but at least you have options."
    "I guess that's one way to look at it," Annette continued, "I'm about to hop on the elevator. If I lose you, I'll call you right back. But, anyway, what's up?"
    "Not much." She loaded her fork with fried okra. "I thought I'd call and let you know that you were right."
    "About what?" The elevator dinged softly in the background.
    "Jaxon ripped up my resignation letter."
    Annette laughed. "Anybody could've told you that would happen."
    "What am I supposed to do? Sit around and wait for him or his lackey to fire me because I won't screw the boss?"
    The woman sitting further down the counter looked up from her magazine at Darling.
    "Why do you think that'll happen?" Annette asked.
    Embarrassment made her lower her voice, "I don't know." She could admit she might have a few issues with men. "Isn't that how these things always go? They get tired of you and trade you in?" Her relationship with Steve had been her longest. She knew he had his ways, but she didn't think he would leave her.
    "Sounds like you're talking about Steve, not Jaxon," Annette said. "Look, you need the job and until you find another one, quitting isn't an option."
    How different were the two men?
    No matter how much she didn't like hearing what Annette said, she was right. Quitting wasn't an option because she was too old to live with her parents. She needed her job, or another one. Her credit was crap. It would take her even longer to get back on her feet if she had to start all over again. "Well, when everything finalizes from my divorce, I'll have some money. That'll help a lot."
    Why did divorcing a lying cheating jerk take so long? The judge should just say cheaters give the one cheated on everything they want. Done. Finished.
    "Yeah, but you don't have it now. And right now, you have to eat."
    It didn't matter how much she wanted Annette to be wrong, she was right. Even her fifteen dollar meal was a splurge she really couldn't afford, but she didn't feel like going back to work. And she didn't want to deal with her parents' curious looks and unasked questions if she came home early. They meant well, but sometimes, they still treated her like a little girl. "Eating is overrated." She loaded up another forkful of food.
    "Is this really about the job?" Annette asked, laughing softly. "Or about the fact that the man is