But as I round the corner, I see the front door standing wide open. I squeeze my eyes shut and head for it, already knowing that this will require some major damage control. I can only imagine how Cheyenne is feeling...
As I step outside, tires squeal loudly against the pavement, and Garrett’s Prius takes off down the street.
Ugh.I’m too late. They’ve already left.
I let out a sharp exhale, but as I do, I hear a small hiccup from across the front yard, where a large, old oak tree stands. I narrow my gaze and catch sight of dark brown waves whipping from behind the tree trunk.
Poor Cheyenne.
I take a deep breath and head down the steps of the front porch, my footsteps silent as I cross the yard. There’s a chill in the air that cuts through my sweater, but I ignore it. I need to keep my wits about me and prepare for a lethal lashing for what I did.
I mean, could I have kept from spewing the nasty pie all over Garrett?
Possibly.
Was it a subconscious act of dislike toward him?
Also, possibly.
I rake my fingers through my hair as I round the tree, coming face to face with a visibly upset Cheyenne. Her cheeks are wet with tears, and she’s sitting on the ground, hugging her knees.
This is way worse than I expected.
“I can’t believe he broke up with meagain,” she sobs, looking up at me just long enough to stab my heart with sadness before dropping her head into her hands again.
“Yeah...” My voice trails off as I rock on my heels, wishing maybe I’d let Genna handle this. I have no freaking idea what I’m doing. “He was ... He was dumb.”
“Yeah, okay.” She laughs miserably, and I cringe. Clearly, I’ve said the wrong thing.
“I’m really sorry for how I reacted. I didn’t mean to spew mayo all over his sweater. Although, it was the same color as your pie, so I’m sure it can be washed out, but you know ... I get it. It sucked.”
She’s quiet for a few moments, leaving me to wonder if I need to try a third time, but then she looks up. “It was a good prank though.” She sniffles, her voice weak and wavering.
I nod eagerly, determined to make her feel better. “You totally won this year. My confetti had nothing on a mayo pie.”
“For sure.” She nods, wiping her olive-colored cheeks. “I seasoned it with pumpkin spice to cover the smell, so you’d still eat it.”
“You probably could’ve skipped that and I still would’ve tried it.” I laugh, running my hands over my face. “My brain just assumed that itwaspie. I wasn’t remotely prepared for what happened.”
That gets her to smile, but it quickly fades as another sob racks her. “I can’t believe he did that in front of everyone. That’s so embarrassing.”
I frown seeing the progress I thought we had made dissipating. “I mean, he’s a jerk. That’s just what jerks do. They don’t take into account anyone’s feelings but their own.”
“He was just misunderstood,” Cheyenne cries, her voice muffled.
I furrow my brow, not sure how Garrett’s crappy attitude could be misunderstood by anyone. I mean, a jerk is a jerk. “Yeah, maybe.” I force myself to be somewhat agreeable. “He still shouldn’t have done what he did.”
“You’re just not a fan of him.” She keeps her head in her hands, and I glance down the street. The closest neighbor to my parents is about a half mile away, and at the moment, I could be convinced that we’re stranded alone in the wilderness.
Heartbreakisthe wilderness for someone like me.
I avoid it like the plague.
“No one ever liked him, and it made things so hard,” she continues, her voice still barely audible.
Because he’s a jerk.
“I’m sorry...”
