“Hello?” I hear her questioning voice.
“Kayla? Hey, it’s Caroline. I was wondering if you guys were free for dinner? I know the bar is closed tonight so I was hoping...” I trail off, not sure how to finish the sentence. I have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to the men in my life, but maybe I can make a friend or two.
“Oh, hey Caroline. Yeah, that would be awesome. Why don’t you come over here? Maybe like six? I’ll text you the address.”
“Perfect! I’ll see you then!” I chirp happily. I hope I don’t sound over eager, but I’m excited to make some friends. And these women have known the men in my life a long time, forever really. I just hope they won’t be mad when I ask for their advice.
Pulling up in front of the tiny bungalow in a cute little neighborhood on the edge of town, I admire the cute blue house with white shutters and wish for something like this for myself. Remembering I finally do have something I can call my own in my little apartment, happiness and pride swell in my chest.
I ring the doorbell but don’t hear the telltale bark of dogs. The door swings open to Sadie standing there, her brown hair piled in a ponytail on top of her head and her brown eyes looking at me with open curiosity. She’s wearing a simple sundress, and her bare toes are painted a bright pink. I extend my hand for a shake before she seems to realize she’s been staring at me.
“Shit, hey, Caroline. Sorry, that was incredibly rude. Welcome, come in.” She steps back to make room for me to enter the little house and Kayla comes around the corner, akitchen towel in hand. She’s casual tonight, wearing black leggings and a tank top.
“Caroline! Welcome. I’m so glad you finally reached out.” She comes over, pulling me in for a hug before backing away.
“Hi,” I respond shyly, a little nervous because of the warm welcome from these women.
After a few hours, a few glasses of wine, and a belly full of spaghetti, we are settled in their cute little living room on a bright green sofa, surrounded by muted tan and white decor. I keep a very close eye on the glass of red wine I have clutched in my hand. Sadie watches me closely, like she has something to say. I don’t want to confront her but tonight has been such a good night with new friends and I feel like there is something on the table between us and I want to know what it is.
Feeling emboldened by the wine, I ask her.
“Sadie?”
She turns to look at me, a slight tilt to her head. She doesn’t say anything.
“Why are you...looking at me like that?” Kayla looks over at her, a questioning look on her face, before looking at me, furrowing her brow.
“Well.” She sucks in a breath, seeming to gather the courage to say what she wants to say. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on with you and Duke. It’s none of my business. But Kayla said you came to the garage with Cash Colter and y’all looked really cozy. And I’m not stupid; I know what happened at the bar on Saturday.”
Kayla gasps before elbowing Sadie softly.
“No, I told you I wouldn’t say anything, but she asked. I also suspect the reason you fled so suddenly after what happened is because of Cash. So let me let you in on a not-so-little secret. Indie tore his heart out and left us to pick up the pieces. Cash, Kayla, and I held that damn place together whileDuke drowned his sadness. And I don’t want to sit by and watch you hurt him. He’s hurt.”
I sit quietly for a few minutes, the two of them equally as quiet watching me. I roll this information around my brain and realize she’s right. Of course she is. He deserves to at least know. Tears start to fill my eyes, and I blink them away.
“You’re right. Dammit, I’ve fucked up. I don’t know what to do.”
“Yes, you do,” Kayla tells me solemnly.
In the car an hour later, I scroll to the name I’m looking for, pressing the call button. Ringing fills the car.
“Hey,” he says, his voice low, tentative.
“Hey, Duke. How are you today?”
“I would be a lot better if I knew what happened yesterday.”
I take a deep breath. How could that have been just yesterday? It feels like seconds ago but also years.
“What are you doing tomorrow? I have to work in the afternoon, but I wanted to see if you wanted to stop by for breakfast. In the morning. So we can talk?” I let the question hang.
“Nothing good ever follows ‘we need to talk.’ Yeah, I’ll be there.” His scared voice from the beginning of the call has a rougher, sharper edge to it now. Like he’s trying to control himself.
“I meant what I said last night. I can’t give you all of myself. But maybe you deserve to know why.”
“Alright, Caroline, I’ll be there. Around ten, okay?”
“Yeah, ten is perfect.”
