Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 115288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
“Are you okay? Is there anything I can do?” Gavin laces his fingers together, and his foot taps restlessly on the floor.
“No, I just need a bit of time to process. Let me check my schedule and see about the outdoor theater event. That would be fun if I can swing it.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel obligated.”
“I’m sure. It’ll be a good distraction.”
* * *
A week after Chad and I break up, I drop off a box of the things he left at my place at his apartment. It wasn’t much, just a single outfit, a couple of ties and button-downs, a pair of pajama pants, and a toothbrush. We hadn’t spoken since the breakup, apart from me texting to ask if I can drop off his stuff. London asked if I wanted her to come with me. But I told her I needed to do it on my own.
My stomach flips as I knock on his door. My palms are sweaty. I don’t know what to expect, but I’m hoping it doesn’t end with me feeling worse than I already do about this whole thing.
Chad opens the door. He’s dressed in jeans and a T-shirt with a game logo on it. He looks good and not like he’s been sad or moping for the past week. And that’s a relief.
I swallow down my anxiety. “Hey.”
His gaze roves over my face and drops to the box in my hands. “Hey. Thanks for bringing my stuff back.”
“Don’t thank me.” I purse my lips and close my eyes, giving my head a quick shake. “I’m really sorry, Chad.”
“For what?” He takes the box from me and hands over the key to my apartment, which means I have something to flip between my fingers.
“For not seeing what you could before I did.”
“You mean about that Gavin dude? He ask you out on a date yet?”
“Yes, and no.” I blow out a breath and shove my thumbs in the back pocket of my jeans. “I mean, he hasn’t asked me out.”
“He knows we broke up, though?” He tucks the box under one arm and leans against the doorjamb.
“Yeah. He knows.”
“I figured.” Chad nods once and gives me a wry smile. “And he’ll ask soon, if he’s smart, anyway.” He blows out a breath and nudges the toe of my shoe with his. “Look, I know you’re kind of used to holding on to blame like it’s yours to own, but I’ve done a lot of thinking this week, and you weren’t wrong, about us, I mean. I really like you and you’re an awesome person, but we were missing something. So don’t beat yourself up over this, okay?”
“You don’t have to let me off the hook, Chad. I know I was in the wrong,” I tell him.
“I’m not letting you off the hook. I’m telling you to let yourself off the hook.” He gives me a wry smile. “We both deserve to be happy, even if it’s not with each other.”
* * *
Over the next month I continue to see Peyton and Gavin about twice a week. Whether it’s dinner or a trip to the park, they’ve become a regular fixture in my life. I can’t decide if things have started to shift or if it’s all in my head. But with some closure for Chad and me, I feel like I can move forward, whatever that’s going to look like.
It’s a Wednesday afternoon, and Peyton is staying after school for drama rehearsal. She loves her new school and has become very involved in the theater group. I’m supposed to pop by to watch her for a bit, and the three of us are planning to go for dinner. We’re trying another new pizza place. Peyton is very committed to trying every single pizza joint in the city.
I have a new message.
Gavin: Finished my meeting early, want 2 grab a coffee before we pick up Peyton?
I’ve just finished programming posts and am about to pack up, so the timing is perfect.
Harley: Sure, see you in twenty?
I pull into the school parking lot less than twenty minutes later, but I don’t see Gavin’s SUV, so I message him about an ETA.
Gavin: At the coffee shop across the street. Your dose of sugar is waiting for you.
He sends along a pic of a steaming cup of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings sitting in front of an empty chair.
When he said grab a coffee, I thought he meant to-go coffees, not sit down and drink them at the coffee shop. Nothing and everything has changed since I told him Chad and I broke up. Gavin and I text on a nearly daily basis. But he’s been flirtier with me, and he often asks how I’m handling the breakup, maybe gauging where I am on an emotional level.