We burned bright and fast and then kinda faded out after we broke up. He wanted to stay together despite his parents having to move all the way to New York. I was the realist. He’s a gorgeous guy who had college right around the corner. I didn’t want to hold him back. I gave him all the typical shit of us staying friends, that if we were meant to be together we’d find our way back. My mind can’t help but pull at that thought as we cruise through the early morning streets. Maybe seeing Alec was all for a greater purpose. Maybe me accidently sleeping with my sister’s boyfriend will work out because if anything, it’s given me great motivation to think about and do practically anything else. Lo and behold, I have the perfect gorgeous distraction right in front of me, and if memory serves, he loved eating pussy for literal hours so honestly, win, win.
After I went to bed last night, Alec and I texted for literal hours. When he suggested going out today, I assumed he meant at night since the text was sent at just after three in the morning. When I told him I was in he said ‘great, see you in four hours,’ and that was that. I could have laughed in his face because normally Iwould require way more sleep than that but honestly, it feels good to have someone desperate to spend time with you. So, I set an alarm for three hours, only leaving me an hour to do a bare minimum shower, makeup and outfit change before I was out the door.
God, what was with Nicholas this morning? Or Nico, whatever. He was such an ass. I can’t tell if his problem stemmed more from issues with me or issues with Alec. I’m going to go out on a crazy limb here and say that his issue is with everyone. He seems like one of those rich, arrogant ‘I can be mean to anyone because I can buy your entire life with a swipe of my credit card’, types. Not like Alec in the slightest. Maybe that’s why I was so eager to go out with my sweet ex-boyfriend. He is literally everything Nicholas isn’t, which I’ve very recently realized is everything in a man I despise and want nothing to do with.
When I see where we are going, I literally almost pee myself laughing. Alec maneuvers our way into the parking lot of the sketchy breakfast restaurant we came to nearly every morning. It’s sketchy because of the part of town, the overall dilapidated appearance and the less than pleasant customer service. It’s amazing though for the food and the price. So, for a couple of high school kids on a budget, this place was date night material. Or in our case, date day.
Once Alec kills the engine, he takes his helmet off before helping me with mine. My hair becomes a static ball instantly and he smiles at me as he attempts to smooth it out.
“I can’t believe Donny’s is still around,” I say with a shake of my head.
“Right? I drove by when I got back in town and was shocked. I thought they’d have knocked it down or maybe someone else had bought it by now.”
Alec offers me his arm like it’s 1860 and he isescorting me around the gardens, and I happily take it, laughing as we walk through the parking lot and slipping inside the restaurant. Once we choose a corner booth, we order our usuals like no time has passed as the impatient waitress rolls her eyes at us and walks off. Neither of us pay her any mind, though as Alec rests his forearms onto the table and leans forward, smiling at me with those beautiful bright eyes.
“So, how have you been, Cass?”
I smile and nod. “Good. I’m a receptionist at a dental office. It’s not the most glamourous job but I’m happy.”
“I’m so glad,” he says, like he truly means it.
“How have you been? How is college?”
He nods as he leans back a little. “College was good. I graduated early and have a job lined up on the east coast once I’m done out here.”
“Done?” I question.
Alec’s smile fades as he nods.
“My grandma is sick. She was put on hospice, and I moved out here until she goes.”
I frown at that, reaching out my hand to cover his. “Alec, I’m so sorry. I always loved her so much. Is she in pain?”
He shakes his head. “No, she has a great team that keeps her comfortable. I spend most of my days with her. Her memory is kinda going so a lot of the time she thinks I’m my dad, but it helps her, I think.”
I nod at that.
“How does she do when you and your dad are in the same room? Or do you guys visit separately?”
No attempt at keeping his smile in check works. His face falls as his eyes drop to the table. He doesn’t speak for several moments before he finally does, his eyes never moving up morethan an inch or two.
“He, uhm. He actually passed away. Him and my mom.”
“What?” I ask, unable to hide my shock.
“Yeah, it was last November. We all went up to Vermont to ski and we hit a patch of black ice. Threw us right into a semi and…”
The air between us is so heavy, I’m practically choking on it.
“Alec,” I whisper, feeling my throat tighten with each passing second. “You were…you are okay?”
His eyes come to me as he nods. “Physically, I had a broken leg and some fractured ribs. The car sort of contorted into this weird angle that created a protective bubble for me. I don’t know. The doctors were blown away I wasn’t more hurt.”
Normally, I wouldn’t ask this follow up question, but it’s Alec. He was at one point my absolute best friend, the one person I knew better than anyone.
“And mentally?”
He attempts to give me a strained smile as he nods.
