Page 71 of Not On Your Life

Connor

I grinned like an idiot for the whole fifteen-minute ride back to the high school. The Uber driver asked if I was okay. I assured him I had never been better and gave him a generous tip.

I held Maddie in my arms. I fell asleep with her on my chest. For the second time. Something about her relaxes me faster than any anti-stress exercise.

And that kiss… it was nothing but the softest brush of her lips, but it somehow flipped the universe inside out. Because now there’s hope. Hope for much more.

I should be frustrated that her mom walked in when she did, but I can’t help but adore the little woman who came barreling in announcing she needs grandbabies. Her bluntness reminded me of my own mother, and I haven’t felt that kind of presence in a while.

I twirl my keys in my hand as I walk to my car in the darkened parking lot. My phone buzzes. It’s been doing that for a while. It’s probably Maddie, reminding me she hates me and she definitely didn’t mean to kiss me. But I’m not going to respond. Not yet.

When I hop in my car, it’s not Maddie’s number on the screen, it’s Millie’s. And all the texts are from her as well. The call drops off, and I skim through the texts before I start the car.

Millie:I think something is wrong with Justin.

Millie:I’m getting worried.

Millie:Can you call me?

That one was followed by three unanswered calls from me then another text from her.

Millie:Justin cheated on me.

I see red. I slam the car into drive and punch the call button. She answers, her voice a blubbering, crying mess as she recounts everything she learned about her “fiancé“ in the last hour. I can hear him in the background, pleading with her to give him another chance. I can barely focus on her words, not because they are hard to understand, but because all I can think about is what I’m going to do when I get there.

“I need to go,” Millie says.

“No Millie, don’t listen to h—”

The line goes dead. I pound the steering wheel as every light in the distance turns red at the same time. She better not give him another chance. He doesn’t deserve her.

The twenty minute drive turns into a forty-five minute journey due to an accident, road closures, and construction. I spend every second dreaming of what I’ll do to that scumbag when I find him.

I turn into the driveway, barely shutting the truck off before leaping from it.

“Where is he?” I slam the front door open, not bothering to shut it behind me.

Millie is perched on the couch, her eyes red and swollen, but I don’t see Justin. “He left.”

“I’m going to kill him.” I unbutton the rest of my shirt. This is my favorite one, and I’m not about to get blood on it.

“No. Stop.” Millie leaps off the couch and runs over to me. “What are you doing?”

“Don’t you want to kill him? I’m here to help. Let’s go.”

Millie shakes her head. “I don’t want to kill him.”

“Good for you, but I still do.”

“Connor!” she shouts, her voice sounding very much like our mother’s.

I stop, my head swiveling in her direction.

“I’ve already made my decision.”

“What do you mean?” Was I too late? Is she still going to marry the idiot?

“I mean, it’s over. I called it off.” She bites her fingernail as a fresh wave of tears cascades down her red cheeks.