I wantedeverythingwith her.
“Fuck,” I hissed, dropping my head into my hands. “Tell me more about this groveling.”
Jace smirked, looking around at the rest of the group. They all smiled, and apprehension seized my chest. He nodded at me. “Alright, D. If you want to get your girl back, we’re here to help. Just tell us where to start.”
THIRTY-SEVEN
“No, Mom, I told you—I’m fine. It’s just been a long week,” I groaned into the phone as I slid the key into the lock, twisting the doorknob to my apartment. After eight hours on my feet, every step seemed heavier than the last. We were two weeks into the school year, but it seemed like so much more. September was always hectic, even more so when working a new co-teacher. Thank goodness Brad and I reached that tentative truce before the year started, because otherwise, the past couple of weeks would have been unbearable.
Even with it, we’d had a few bumps, and there’d be a lot more throughout the year. Hopefully, we’d continue to work through them together and help our students grow.
“Are you sure? I could bring dinner over?”
My whole body stiffened at her offer. Sure, it was great that she wanted to take care of me for once, but her smothering, intrusive kind of care wasn’t what I needed right now. Quiet. Peace. All the things that called to me from inside my apartment.
For the past month, I’d been avoiding her, not evenattending church on Sunday. While I missed the community, I didn’t miss the judgmental looks and whispers about my former marriage. Todd had been attending, which only added to the reasons I refused to go. Despite my brother telling him to back off, he continued to ask about me, wondering how I’d been. Jason tried to intervene, but Todd insisted he was just curious. I had no idea why he was suddenly so invested in my well-being, but I didn’t like it.
As I shoved the door open, I continued the conversation with my mother, “Tonight’s not a great night for me to come over. Can we do something next weekend?”
“Fine.” She sighed. “Let me know what works for your schedule, and I’ll cook something you like.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Don’t need to thank me,” she answered, muttering something to my niece and nephew in the background. “Anything else new with you? Everything good in the city?”
I tensed, wanting to tell her how much my life had changed in a few short weeks. Brad and I were finding our footing together, and I felt more confident at work than ever before. While I’d always let my work speak for itself in the past, now, I’d become more vocal, only taking on tasks I wanted to instead of letting the guilt force me into it.
But outside of work, my world was bleak. Between Todd showing up at my church, and the blocked number that had been calling me, I was having a hard time sleeping, unable to shake the feeling that something was off with him. And then there was the loneliness and heartache that Damien had left behind. Every day, I hoped it would get a little better, but it only got worse. Time was supposed to heal all wounds, but this one was still festering and raw. No matter what I tried, it never seemed like it would get better. I missed him—missed everything about him. Missed his touch, missed his laugh, missed seeing him, just talking about everything and anything under the sun.
The only sign of life had beenthe wilting bouquet by my door, the ones he’d sent on the first day of school. Even though the mere sight of his name annoyed me, I couldn’t bring myself to throw them away, wanting to believe this subtle sign meant he might miss me too.
However, with my mother’s reaction to my divorce, I refused to tell her anything about Damien. Those memories were too precious to me to be sullied by her judgment. Instead, I forced on my fakest cheery voice and smiled into the phone.
“All good here, Mom. Just getting back into my routine after the summer. You know how it goes.”
We exchanged a little more small talk as I shucked off my layers and dropped my overloaded teacher bag by the door, in desperate need of couch therapy. My pajamas, a deliciously smutty romance novel, and a pile of snacks were calling my name. After my mother ended the call, I turned around and walked through the entryway, scrolling through my emails, not bothering to look up. “Hey Ol, you home? I’m thinking about ordering something for dinner.”
“Yes,” Ollie groaned as she walked into the living room, dressed in her favorite kitten pajamas. “But only if you promise nothing healthy. I’ve been going through growth reports all afternoon, and I desperately need some grease to cut through the brain fog.”
“I’m on it.” I chuckled as I pulled up the delivery app, scanning through our options. But before I could click the first item, a knock came from the door.
Ollie arched her brow. “Okay, either that’s the best service ever, or I blanked and ordered a pound of fries already.”
“Or someone else is here,” I mused as I walked back down the entry hallway, stopping to check the peephole. When I glanced through it, my heartstuttered in my chest. I pushed off the door, unsure if I believed the sight in front of me.Damien.
Ollie joined me at the door. “Well, who is it?” She pushed me to the side, gasping when she saw Damien standing there. Without waiting for me to say anything, she ripped the door open, glaring at the man in front of us. Like a coward, I tucked behind her where I could see them but he couldn’t see me, trying to catch my breath. “You have a lot of fucking nerve, showing up here.”
“Good to see you, too, Ollie,” he chuckled, shuffling on his feet. “Can I talk to Bri?”
“Why?” My roommate crossed her arms across her chest. “Finally decided to give her the time of day? Must be a fucking miracle.”
“Ollie…”
“Don’t,” she said, holding up her hand. “Save your charming smile for someone who still likes you, Ramos. You’ve put yourself on the top of my shit list.”
“Trust me, no one hates me more than myself right now. But please, Ol. Let me in. I need to talk to her.” He swallowed. “I need to explain myself.”
Ollie glanced over her shoulder at me, and in that moment, I knew she’d kick him out if I asked. If I hadn’t loved Ollie before, I definitely did now. She’d been at my side for the past month, my constant shoulder to cry on. No judgment, just unwavering support. As she studied my face, I nodded, needing to talk to him just as much. I couldn’t keep living in limbo, unsure of where we stood.
