“For what? For me!” he says in a raised tone.
“Why on Earth would I—”
“Look, I get it. You’re having one of your bratty tantrums. I may have misled you here and there about a wedding date. But if it’s something youreallywant we’ll talk about it. Now, when are you coming back? I’ll even buy your ticket back. Who knows how much money you’ve wasted with this fake move.”
“Matthew, are you delirious right now?”
I turn my key in the ignition of my car, and a second later, I see on the screen that the bluetooth has kicked on, connecting the call so that it comes through the car’s speakers.
“I’m notgoingback to Boston. There is nothing left for me there. I have a new apartment, a new job, and a new m—” I stop myself when I almost say a new man but Emanuel isn’t my man. I made that clear the past Saturday night. “A new life. Here. In Williamsport.”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
“And you are sounding like you should be on meds, or get some sleep, or something because you’re not making any sense whatsoever. We broke up, remember?”
“Wealwaysbreak up. And get back together. That’s our thing.”
“Thatwasour thing. It’s not anymore.”
“Janine, you’re really starting to piss me off.”
I begin shaking my head. This was the last thing I needed at the end of a trying first day of work. And as much as Matthew was starting to sound like the child he was accusing me of being, something in me felt tempted to acquiesce. A small part of me wanted that safety of my past relationship and living situation. No matter how dysfunctional it was, or how unhappy I’d grown living in my tiny apartment, at a job I’d come to loathe going into each morning. Yeah, I became miserable but it wasfamiliar.
I really was starting to recognize what my college counselor meant when he said many people will remain in a bad situation for the comfort. The discomfort of change is often scarier than continuing to live a life you don’t really want.
“Matt, I’ve got to go.” I don’t wait for his reply as I press the end call button. Because even while his words were harsh and chastising, simply hearing his voice was easily tricking my mind into believing something that just wasn’t real.
When my phone begins ringing again, I’m ready to press the dismiss button, thinking it’s Matt. Luckily, I look before I do, and a small smile touches my lips.
“You must know I needed to hear your voice.”
“Rough first day?” Angela questions in a soothing voice.
“You could say that.” I won’t bother to tell her about the call with Matt.
“That’s okay because I’m calling to invite you to the bar. Food and drinks are on me, and since I’m the owner that means they’re free.” Her giggle is infectious, causing me to join in.
“I’m never one to turn down free food. I just need to go home and change—”
“No!” she insists, taking me aback.
“Whoa.”
“I just know that if you go home, the chances of you coming back out are slim to none. You were like that in college, too.”
I frown at the accuracy.
“Come straight to the bar. I’m already here and it’s filling up for happy hour.”
It takes me less than five seconds to make a decision. “I’m on my way.”
“Good.”
****
Emanuel
I watch Angela expectantly once she hangs up the phone, but lift my eyebrows when she doesn’t say anything at first, just a tiny smirk playing at her lips. I narrow my gaze on her, growing more pissed off by the second. She obviously has intentions of drawing this shit out.
