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Bobby: Mickey says Jake broke up with Bethany last week

I guess that explains the urgent need to see you

Douchebag can’t be alone for 2 min

I’m assuming you don’t want him to find you?

If you want to talk to him, let me know, otherwise mum’s the word

****

Bobby: Mom says Jake came by the house earlier today

Brought her flowers, apparently lilies are her favorite?!

WTF?! I had no idea Mom liked lilies. Did you?

Anyway Mom’s all like Jake is such a nice boy, maybe you and he will make up now and you will come back

I asked if she gave him any of your info, she got all pissy and said no because I wouldn’t share any with her anyway

She also said I must have a girl out of town otherwise why would I be gone all weekend every weekend

One of these days I will tell them I swear

I’m pretty sure Mickey knows

He said he’s happy I’m happy and he’s on board with whoever’s the reason

Back to that douchenozzle Jake

I swear I haven’t given your address to anyone

So you should be good, but just FYI

****

It was my last week at work and it was a busy one. My manager told me they should have a permanent opening in a few weeks and to not commit to anything else, but I’ll believe it when I see it. We had a small goodbye gathering with the women from Accounting at a bar where the manager’s son works as a bartender. I hope to see them all again soon, but I understand that I might not happen.

It’s Friday, so Bobby will be coming late again. Usually he only stops by to drop off the receipts and I don’t even see him before he goes to Trey’s.

But when I finally get back home from the farewell party, I see a familiar red pickup truck with Minnesota license plates parked outside my building.

Jake’s truck.

Shit. My heart goes into overdrive so fast I feel winded. How did he find me? Did Bobby actually give him my address? How the hell is he here?

My first instinct is to text Bobby, but he’s probably at Trey’s already and I don’t want to disturb them. Plus they’d probably both come over to help, and I don’t want to out them before they’re ready. Before Bobby’s ready.

I need to do something that will completely put Jake off. Something that will make him go away forever.

I take a deep breath and cross my fingers that the person I’m about to text is available tonight, otherwise I will be in deep shit.

Liz: Joe, I know you might have plans but I need you to do me a huge favor, pretty much right now

He responds right away. I’ve never been so relieved in my life.

Joe: Of course. Anything you need