Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 55171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
“Stormy, I know I’m the last person you want to see.” Only when she’s in front of me do I give her the attention she’s after. Griff’s borrowed sunglasses are doing wonders right about now; the mirrored lenses block my eyes. My eyes show my resting bitch face far too easily, and these are helping Mel see that I’m unbothered by her presence. At least I’m perceived that way. She doesn’t need to know that my stomach drops and the need to run away is flowing through my nervous system.
“Melissa, I don’t think we have anything left to say to one another.” I remain calm. The last thing we need is to have this out in the public, which sadly means I need to bring her to my car. “That being said, I’d rather the whole town not hear our conversation, or rumors are going to be spread yet again.”
“You’re right. I tried calling and texting you, but they didn’t go through,” she admits.
“Aunt Cat had a field day with my phone. You and about nine other people are blocked. It’s staying that way.” I start walking. Melissa falls into step beside me. It wasn’t long ago this would be our Sunday morning routine after having brunch and one too many mimosas or Bloody Mary’s. I think that’s what I miss the most—not Zach, but my best friend. The person who knows me through and through.
“I figured as much. Can we go somewhere and talk?”
“I’m walking us in the direction of a bench around the corner. I’m not having this discussion where every Tom, Dick, and Harry can report back to the town gossip. Been there, done that, paying the debt off for it, too.” My sarcastic side has come out to play.
“I deserved that,” Mel says as we turn the corner. I breathe a sigh of relief. There’s no one else around.
“Give me a minute. I need to text Griff to let him know I’ll be late getting home.” Melissa starts to smile at me. I shake my head no. She doesn’t deserve to know what’s going on in my relationship with Griff. I pull my phone out of my back pocket. Today, I dressed down. The heat was at an all-time high, and there was no way pants were going to be an option. A pair of cut-off jean shorts, a white tank top, and sandals were an easy decision. I’m so glad Kitty doesn’t have a dress code, or I’d have quit already.
Me: Hey, going to be late getting home. Melissa wants to talk. If I don’t text again in thirty minutes, rescue me ;)
I’m about to put my phone in my back pocket when it vibrates. Griff is already responding.
Griff: Make it fifteen, and the cavalry will head your way.
Me: So, you and Finn?
Griff: Hell fucking yes.
His favorite word starts with f and ends with a k, s, or ing. Any variable will do, really. I sit down on the picnic bench across from Melissa and put my forearms on the table, hands hugging each elbow.
“I’m sorry. I should have said that first. I was only thinking of myself, I see that now. I was jealous of what you had, and I wanted something that wasn’t mine.” I’m listening to Melissa, but all I’m hearing is me, myself, and I. Still, I let her keep going. “I’m not even pregnant. Zach didn’t want me. He wanted the thrill of the chase. Once he had me and you knew about us being together, the fun was over. I’m stupid and knew I was losing him and threw out I was pregnant to try and make him stay.”
I take a deep breath. My once best friend is insecure, and that really sucks. Because not once did I see this side of her during out entire friendship.
“It hurts, and it sucks. You let a man get between our friendship and self-sabotaged yourself in the process. You created a rift that was unnecessary in doing so. It also made me re-evaluate life. Zach and I were never in love, obviously for him. As for myself, I found someone who truly makes time for me and I can see myself with forever.” Melissa has black tears trailing down her cheeks, her mascara making it worse. “So, I guess I’m thankful in that sense. It helped me in a way, even with my name being raked through the coals. I came out better for it.” I end my sentence, feeling a peace inside me I wasn’t aware I needed. Another door closing for another one to open. It’s called closure, and I’m glad I have it.
“I really am sorry, Stormy. My words or actions aren’t enough, I know that. Maybe one day, we can be friends again.” I shake my head. My tongue goes to the roof of my mouth, holding back a smart-aleck remark. Melissa must get that I’m not about that, not one single bit. It also gives me a moment to gather my thoughts. I’m no longer mad or angry, so there’s no reason to wish ill will against her. Karma sounds amazing and all that, but asking for karma against someone else, asking to receive it back?