Chapter 4

I sped out of Jared’s driveway like a maniac. The last thing I wanted was for him to follow me. I needed a second to process what just happened. I knew I couldn’t drive home. He’d expect me to. I just needed time. Maybe I could forgive him. He had a drunk slip up. Maybe I was making it out worse than what it really was. I kept driving until I realized I pulled into a random grocery store lot. I just parked in the back where there were no cars. I let myself cry. The man I thought was my forever cheated on me. I guess he could still be my forever if I forgave him. Do I have it in me to do that? I’m not sure I did.

My thoughts made my head hurt worse than the crying did. I just wanted to shut down. I wanted the pain to stop. Maybe I just needed some air to catch my breath. I rolled down the window slightly just enough to get a breeze. Fortunately, the slight wind in my face calmed me down. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. Several minutes had passed when I heard a knock on my window. I didn’t have the heart to look at who it was. I was praying that Jared didn’t find me so easily.

“Hey stranger. Twice in one day. What a coincidence.” That voice.. it was so familiar but I knew it wasn’t Jared. I opened my eyes. It was Will. “Why on Earth was he here?!” This was just my luck. I looked up at him. His smile suddenly turned and he looked embarrassed.

“Oh my God. I am so sorry. I wouldn’t have bothered you if I knew you were crying. Are you okay? Can I help with anything?” His kindness just made me burst into tears. That’s when I noticed he had a bag in his hand. He must have actually shopped at this store… just my luck. He reached in and I heard a container snap. It made me look at the bag he was holding. He pulled out a cookie and was handing it to me. “My mother used to tell me that the best thing I could do for someone who was crying was to offer food. Luckily for you, they make the best cookies here.”

His gesture made me laugh. Like hysterically laugh. He must have thought I was going crazy. But if he did, his offer didn’t waiver and his smile didn’t disappear from his face.

I took the cookie. “Thank you. I’m just having a really shitty day.”

“Well, that friend offer is always on the table if you want to talk.” He tapped the car then proceeded to walk back to his car. I almost took him up on his offer but realized I barely knew him. This was a personal matter and he did just hit on me several hours ago.

I decided it was time to check my phone. Jared had left me several messages. Not sure if I was ready to talk to him, I knew there was one person I was going to call. I dialed Avery’s number.