Wesley
We’re less than an hour away from where we’re picking up the chute, and if it wasn’t for all the stops, I know we’d be there by now. But that’s just how it goes with a trailer, traffic, and a girl who’s gotta pee or eat every hour. Although…she did take a nap for about forty-five minutes. I’m not complaining; I’m thrilled she wanted to come along and keep me company. This would’ve been a boring trip by myself.
I reach to turn down the radio. “Once we get off, I’m gonna have to start paying attention to these back roads,” I tell her.
She nods and adjusts herself in the seat, sitting up straighter. “I know. I’m ready to help.”
“Oh, well, you’re not really the best with directions, so maybe I’ll just handle it,” I suggest playfully. I watch her mouth fall slack. Her eyes narrow at me and she lets out an offended scoff. “What? Did you forget about the rodeo incident?” I give her an eye and she sits back in her seat, arms crossed, trying not to smile.
It was two years ago. We went to this rodeo with some friends—the rodeo she met Brantley at actually—and long story short, she had the GPS. I was driving and she somehowmanaged to get us eighteen miles in the complete opposite direction.
We laugh about it all the time now, and she’s a good sport, but good Lord, I still to this day don’t understand how it happened. My family teases me, say I was just lovestruck. While I know that’s true, I’ll still argue that wasn’t the reason until I don’t have to anymore.
Our laughing is interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing on the empty middle seat between us. I see Brantley’s picture on the screen for a split second before she swipes to answer it.
I hear his voice, but I can’t make out what he’s saying. I keep my eyes on the road in an attempt to look like I’m not listening.
“Tonight?” she asks. “I won’t be home in time, we’re still on our way.” Her voice sounds nervous.
She tucks her other hand between her knees and presses them together. All I hear is Brantley rambling about something. It sounds a little aggressive, which I don’t like.
“I told you—” she starts, but he cuts her off. My grip tightens on the steering wheel, knuckles whitening. Dread swirls in my stomach. What happens after they hang up? Will she handle it on her own like we agreed, or am I about to get put to the test on keeping my opinion friendly.
“Are you serious?” Her voice cracks. My ears perk even more and my heart skips before it quickens. Her face is blank, but she huffs, not angrily but like she’s exhausted. She stares at the phone screen, the call ended now, and I don’t hesitate for even a beat.
“Everything okay?” I look at her, though her hair is blocking me from seeing her face. Her reply consists of a sniffle and my stomach drops.
“Addison.” I reach over and push her hair out of the way. Tears are racing down her face faster than I’ve ever seen. “Hey, hey, hey, what’s wrong?”
“He just broke up with me.” Her voice shakes, her hands trembling when she reaches to wipe her tears.
I’m rocked. I wasn’t expecting that. This really puts a wrench in the day.
“Seriously?”
She nods in response, as if words are too heavy or hard to put together. She tucks in her lips, closing her eyes, but tears still break through.
Realizing I can’t possibly focus on the directions right now, not when she’s having a mental breakdown, I pull off to the side of this back road we’re on and shift my truck into park. Each sob coming from Addison is wrecking me more than the last.
I drop my voice to a steady, gentle tone. “Did he say why?”
She shakes her head. “We were in the midst of a fight, but he said couldn’t deal with my anxiety anymore.”
My heart hurts for her but my anger also builds around his reasoning. Breaking up with her because of her anxiety is the stupidest thing you could do. Plus, to be mad at her for it? He didn’t even let her talk.
I hold my hand out. “Give me your phone.”
I’ll give him a piece of my mind. Not that I think he deserves her at all. But I still have some things that come to mind I’d like to say.
“No.” She shakes her head.
“It wasn’t a suggestion.”
“Wes, stop! You wanted this anyway. Don’t act like you actually feel bad!” she snaps.
I know I hated them together, but now I wish I could hit rewind. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this upset. I would’ve remembered it ripping my heart out like this.
I let my truck idle and get out.
