CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Scarlett
I feel like I prolongedmy decision while at this crossroads in my life. I moved down here because Brendan convinced me. I’m here now, falling for this great guy, but what smart girl chooses a guy over an amazing, potential job opportunity? That’s not something I would do … anymore.
There have been so many days when I woke up feeling like life was on repeat and nothing would ever change, yet the moment my cycle of normalcy was broken, I felt out of control.
I dial Brendan’s phone because he hasn’t called me yet and I’ve been worrying. He should have landed an hour ago. He picks up on the first ring. “I was just going to call you, sweetie. The plane took off an hour late from South Carolina. I was about to lose my shit.”
“I miss you already,” I tell him.
“I miss you too, Scar,” he sighs. “I’m sorry I had to leave like that. I felt like I was going bananas there.”
“I know,” I tell him.
“Did you tell Austin about the interview?”
“Yes, and he’s reacting the way I thought he would,” I say, falling backward onto my bed.
“Well,you’rereacting the way I thoughtyouwould,” he says.
“I just don’t know what’s right for me.”
“Well, I’m not going to be the one to tell you what’s right for you.”
“Why not? I’d do that for you if you asked.”
“Scarlett, come on. I’m not making a decision this big for you. I love you. I will always be here for you whether you’re there and I’m here or I’m here and you’re here. That doesn’t matter. What matters, is your happiness. Are you happy right now?”
“I was until I got that offer.”
“What was so great about the offer?”
“It was with a chain hotel, which means I could travel, get paid more, see the world—you know?” I pluck at a string unraveling from my cast, twisting it until it buckles into a loop. I can’t help commiserating with the sensation of this poor loose thread.
“Scar, you’re with a chain hotel right now. You traveled to South Carolina, you’re getting paid more, and from the animal cries I heard in our not-so-soundproof studio the other night, you’re sorta seeing the world too.”
“Oops. I thought you were asleep on the other side of our tri-fold wall.” I slap my arm over my eyes. “I didn’t mean to be so loud.”
“Iwasasleep,” he says, clearing his throat. “I mean, if someone made me make noises like that, I wouldn’t be going anywhere, but that’s just me.”
“I can’t imagine myself being a country girl for the rest of my life, though.”
“So, what, you want to come back here where you’ll continuously avoid your parents, make and lose friends on a monthly basis, get sick of every single douche guy you find yourself attracted to in this city, and eventually realize you were better off somewhere else?”
“Why is this so hard, Brenny?”
“Because you’re not ready to make a decision yet. No matter what happens, the outcome is meant to be. Okay?”
“Okay,” I tell him.
“I have to go pick up my bags and there’s seriously the most gorgeous TSA agent I’ve ever seen my life, and he’s staring right at me.”
I laugh because I can imagine the scene. The TSA agent is probably zoning in on someone who’s probably doing something shady right behind Brendan. “Okay, go and be merry. Thank you for being my rock.”
“Thank you for painting my life Scarlett.”
“That was so beyond lame, I don’t even have a word for it.”
