“YES! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, YES! HE IS RUINING YOUR LIFE!” In one breath, Bridget gained the attention of pretty much everyone in their line of sight with her shouts. Everyone was staring at this point, but Hailey didn’t notice anymore because she had her face covered in her hands.
“Tell me how you really feel, Bridget,” she deadpanned, muffled behind her hands.
“What I really feel is that it has taken you way toolong to figure this out, and I’m sorry but he’s destroying you and you haven’t even realized it until now. Geez, I have been dying for you to figure this out. You were so much happier before him. You were so blinded by your dry spell before him you couldn’t even see he wasn’t good for you.”
Hailey took her hands off her face and stared at the chalk fading off of them. She was pissed at herself. People have been telling her for months that she wasn’t happy and she was just too dumb to even see it. Sure, she was aware of her stupid depression. How could she not be? There were only so many times a person could drive down a street and consider how easy it would be to just hit that thick telephone pole on the side of the road before realizing that wasn’t a healthy thought. But she went so long without seeing that those thoughts weren’t really around before Gage. Then, it was more about loneliness. Although, even with Gage she felt pretty alone.
How could one person have so much pull over another? It was goddamn sad.
“Fuck, I’m pathetic. How’d I let this happen? What do I do?”
“No, Hailey, you’re not pathetic. You got stuck with a narcissist who didn’t show his true colors until you were hooked. It happens to people all the time. It’s not your fault your boyfriend is an abusive dick.”
“Abusive? No, he doesn’t beat me up.”
“Not all abuse shows scars or bruises, although don’t pretend he hasn’t left those, too. But, abuse can be emotional and psychological and it’s just as dangerous. Now, please let me kill him. They’ll never find the body. Rick knows a guy.”
“Jesus, Bridge. You guys really are perfect for each other.”
“I know, right? There’s someone out there perfect for you, too. It’s just not Gage. Now, what are you gonna do about it?”
Hailey took a deep breath. This was it. She could do it. Gage wasn’t right for her and it wasn’t right to waste her time on him anymore. Her eyes drifted around the gym and settled on the couple from earlier. Violet was just coming off the wall and Danny gave her a high five, all smiles and clearly proud of her. Had Gage ever even looked at her like that? Did he support anything she’d ever done?
She couldn’t think of a single time he had. Son of a bitch, how could it take her this long to see? Ugh. But, dumping someone? There was absolutely nothing fun about that and she was not looking forward to it. Maybe somewhere public would help? Then, he couldn’t respond like an asshole, right?Right?
“How … how do I do it without it ending badly?” she pleaded with Bridget.
“Well, there’s not really a way to guarantee it won’t, but you could always bring reinforcements? I could come with you!”
“Huh, yeah um … maybe? I’ll think about it.” Let’s see. What were the chances that Bridget would show up with weapons? This was definitely something to sleep on. Good thing she had the night of work to think about it, plus there was Scott’s going away party later tonight. She could definitely use the distraction, that was for sure.
“Good idea. Think about it! Besides, you’ve got stuff to look forward to! Ready for your bridesmaid dress fitting next weekend? I still can’t believe my wedding is already next month.”
“I know, right? Feels like you just got engaged yesterday. Ah shit. If I break up with Gage I won’t have a date and then I’ll be alone at the bridal party table. Dammit. I guess I can wait until after the wedding.”
“No. No, no, no,” Bridget said as she sat back up and adjusted her entire body so it was facing me. “It is not worth delaying and continuing to be miserable for my wedding. I do not need you to do that. Let’s just get you a new date!”
“In just a month? There’s no time to find someone else!”
“You sure about that? I bet I could think of someone who would jump at the chance to go with you.”
Bridget wiggled her eyebrows at Hailey and pulledout her phone. “Do you recall what you said the other night at my bachelorette?”
Hailey bunched up her eyebrows in confusion. “Uh, no?”
“Allow me to remind you.” She clicked a few buttons on her phone and Hailey’s own voice started to blast out of Bridget’s cell. “Avery is perfect for me and I’ve loved him since high school. He’s so nice and pretty.”
“Oh, fuck. I vaguely remember that.”
Hailey took this as her opportunity to fall back onto the mats in exasperation. She felt a bit helpless. Avery was so close yet so far away. She had too much to think about at the moment to even consider having a shot with him. If only…
———————————
Hailey finally arrived at the house party at about 11:30. It was at Andrew’s house, and at least he had a decent sized townhouse. Most people would already be drunk by now. She didn't want to be the first one there anyway. That would just be awkward. She smiled when she found the chapstick she double checked was in her bag before she arrived and applied it, steeling herself for the socialization that was about to come.
She cursed herself when she realized she hadn'tbrought anything to drink. Hopefully, there were some decent mixers inside. Anne had texted her earlier that night that she came down with a bug and wouldn’t be going, but Hailey figured she could still use the distraction of a night out so she went anyway.
As she stepped into the house, Hailey was assaulted by the smell of weed. Or at least she hoped it was weed. The alternative was horrifying.
