Page 54 of Baby, It’s You (Clairesville #1)
Hunter
I have tried to stay as busy as possible since the night I last saw Olive.
I’ve buried myself in work and left town twice to film for brands.
No matter how much I have busied myself, though, the emptiness still consumes me.
I know in my heart that Olive is the only woman for me.
My parents just knew about each other and that’s exactly how I feel about her.
But while she may love me as much as I love her, she doesn’t want to be with me, so I just have to accept that.
I look at the time and motivate myself to get up from the couch and throw on a snapback.
I was supposed to meet Wes at the skate park twenty minutes ago.
Shit. I shoot him a quick text that I’m on my way, knowing he probably won't read it, but just in case. He always keeps his phone in his car while he skates so he doesn’t fall on it and break it.
I head out my front door and jog to my truck.
Once I’m seated, I scroll through my playlist and click the song that Olive and I listened to together lying in the bed of my truck, our hands entwined, after we had sex.
“Nights in White Satin” by The Moody Blues plays through my speakers, and I’m transported back to the moment.
Her smooth skin brushing against my own.
Our limbs twisted together like a puzzle.
I’ve never felt a moment more intimate or perfect.
I pull up to a stoplight and run my hands over my face.
I hope she’s doing okay in Atlanta. There have been so many times recently where I have started to text her and then decided it’s a bad idea.
I won’t disrespect the boundary she set.
She wants to move on from Clairesville and I understand that.
I pull up to the skate park and see it’s empty other than Wes and one other guy, which I’m thankful for right now, because I would prefer not to be in a crowd.
I grab my board out of my passenger seat and walk up the concrete steps to greet Wes.
He is skating some ramps on the other side of the park, so I get on my board and skate over to him.
He gives me a “sup” motion with his head and continues to ride around.
I do the same, my mind clearing as I focus on only two things: the board and my movements on it.
After attempting a nollie heelflip and hitting the pavement multiple times, I decide to take a break.
I ride over to a bench and Wes follows. He daps me up and then walks to another vacant metal bench next to mine and picks up a bottle of Gatorade.
He chugs the container and wipes his mouth, then walks back towards me.
“How’s it going, buddy?” Wes asks.
“It’s going,” I respond, looking up at him from bench. My board’s resting between my feet and I push it back and forth.
“Nice to see you on the ol’ board, old man.”
“Yeah, I almost broke a hip. I’m rusty.”
Wes sits next to me and nudges me with his shoulder. “Come skate more. It’s good for you.”
“Yeah, I know,” I tell him.
“You’ve been working a lot recently, I feel like I’ve barely heard from you, dude.”
“Yeah, just accepting more jobs now. Staying busy.”
“To block out your feelings for Olive, right?” He raises an eyebrow.
I look over at him. “Right.”
“That’s what I thought.” He nods. “Understandable, man. I could tell you were really into her.”
“Still am,” I say.
“I’m sorry the bar thing didn’t work out for you two, that place was really sweet. I liked the vibe.”
“Yeah, we tried the best we could. I just wanted to help.”
“You're a great dude, Hunter. A way better man than me.”
I tip my head in thanks.
“I meant to ask you, what are you two going to do with all the money now? The money you raised?”
“We talked about it the last night I saw her, after Olive found out she couldn’t buy the bar.
She said she wanted to make sure that the money was returned to everyone who donated so I told her I would handle it.
I’ve refunded every single person that has donated at this point; so, it’s really over now. ” I look down at my hands.
“It’s going to be okay,” Wes says, and puts a hand on my back in support.
“That’s what everyone keeps saying,” I respond. My attitude has been unusually pessimistic since losing her.
“Don’t let this get you down. You will find someone new. Like I always say, ‘The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.’”
“I’m not like you, man,” I tell him.
“I know and that’s why I said you’ll always be better than me.” Wes chuckles and smacks me on the back. “Come on, let's go get some food. I’m paying.”
I nod my head and follow him out of the park.