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“Then you need to build a fire, my friend. Don’t let that flame die out. Nurture it, fan it, breathe life into it!”
Okay, now it was getting just a little weird. I didn’t mind the metaphor so much, but the way he kept going on about it had me a little frightened for his psychological well-being.
“I think I got it.”
He gripped my shoulder and squeezed. “Go forward and prosper.”
I slowly pulled away from him. “I think you’ve been watching too muchStar Wars.”
“It’s actuallyStar Trek,” he mumbled. “And it’sLive long and prosper.”
“Whatever,” I said, getting out of the truck and slamming the door.
I really needed a fucking job to go out on.
20
LAURA
When I wokeup alone in Dash’s bed, I was a little confused. I didn’t remember coming up here last night, so Dash probably brought me up here. It was so sweet of him and made me wish that he was interested in me other than being my friend. Even last night, he gave me my space instead of spending time with me when I was upset. Which was typical of any man who didn’t want to deal with an emotional woman. I couldn’t blame him for making himself scarce the moment we walked through the door.
I almost wanted to stay in bed, but then I remembered that Andrew was going to leave today. If I didn’t get my ass out of bed, I’d miss him. I tossed off the covers and took the fastest shower known to man. My hair hung loosely down my back in wet waves, dripping on the shirt I pulled over my head. I slid on my shorts and grabbed a pair of flip flops, then rushed downstairs and ran around the house until I found my purse and keys.
I didn’t pay much attention to anything else as I tore out of the driveway, past the office building and the mechanic shop. The drive into town took less than three minutes, but when I got to Andrew’s house, his car wasn’t there. In a panic, I ran to the front door, pulled out the key he gave me a long time ago, and slid it into the lock.
I knew the moment I stepped inside that he was already gone. Since he was always gone for months at a time, he took extra precautions, closing the drapes and leaving the lights on a timer. Everyone in town knew he was gone and kept an eye on the house for him, but he still took the extra steps in security.
I laid my keys on the table by the door and slowly walked through the house, feeling tears build in my eyes. I didn’t get to say goodbye. I ran my fingers over his kitchen table, then spotted a note on the kitchen counter. Walking over to it, I tentatively reached for it, my hand shaking as I picked it up.
Wilder,
Please don’t be mad at me. I couldn’t stand to say goodbye to you again. I know I said I would be here, and I will be in a few months. I just need time to figure out how to move on without you. I’ll see you soon.
Andrew
My jaw clenchedin anger at the note. He thought it would be better for him? What about me? I felt like the worst person in the world for not noticing his feelings sooner, and then for shutting him down. And now he was leaving, basically telling me he couldn’t be around me. I knew he was hurting, but he threw me for a loop and then expected me to pick up the pieces and move on alone.
I crumpled the note and tossed it on the counter. I stormed to the front door, locking it before getting in my car and pulling out of the driveway. I only made it to the end of the street before I turned around and squealed back into his driveway, throwing the car in park.
Getting out, I slammed the door and stomped to his front door, shoving the key back in the lock. It took all of five seconds to make my way back to his kitchen and grab the note. I tried to smooth out the crumpled ball, then laid it out on the counter again, reading it in my head.
The nerve of him. How dare he?
Look at it from his point of view. He’s heartbroken and needs time to move on.
Yeah, I read that in his note. He couldn’t stick around and say goodbye?
Maybe it was too hard.
Too hard to look me in the eye? I don’t need a friend like that in my life.
That makes total sense. Throw away a lifelong friendship because your friend is hurting.
I hate it when you make sense.
Just pointing out the obvious. Besides, you don’t want him like that. You need to give him time to move on with someone else.
Someone else who will use him and hurt him?