Page 16 of Diluted Truths

Jackie straightened herself and faced me. It was as if she was readying herself for battle, or a fight of some sort. “He is the reason I’m sober, or at least have stayed sober this long.”

I tilted my head to the side, confused by her statement.

“I’m an alcoholic, Fai is my sponsor. I have been sober for four years now.”

Chapter 5Summertime Sadness by. Lana Del Rey

Jackie

“It couldn’t have been that bad, Jackie.”

“Oliver, it was so uncomfortable. Here I am, dropping a truth bomb on arguably the most attractive man I have ever seen and his response was literally no response. He just stared at me,” I explained as I lounged in my office chair.

Following the less-than-stellar interaction with Will, I had driven to the office in hopes of venting to Oliver.

After sharing that I was an alcoholic, Will simply just stared at me.

Stared at me as I packed my things.

Stared at me as I wished him a goodbye.

Stared at me as I walked out to the door.

“He was probably taken aback. You don’t look like most alcoholics or how people assume one would look like. He just needed a moment to process,” Oliver reasoned with me.

I knew he was most likely correct about Will, but the moment was still embarrassing.

“I just don’t understand why it is always a big deal to people. So what I don't drink? It’s not like I’m a total buzzkill,” I responded as I rubbed my eyes in frustration. “Honestly I was more of a buzzkill when I puked all over the pastor at my niece's baptism.”

Oliver looked to me shocked. It made me crack a smile. “Did that really happen? With Vi?”

“Yep. My sister did not appreciate it.” I chuckled recalling the memory. “We’re getting off topic. How do I recover from this?”

He leaned back in his chair and eyed me, suspicion laced in his eyes. “Why do you care so much? Do you plan on seeing him again?”

Why did I care?

I could just never speak to him again. However, the idea of doing just that almost hurt to think about.

I didn’t have an answer, so I simply shrugged noncommittally.

“Hmmm,” Oliver mused.

“What?” I asked, confused by my friends behavior’s.

“I think you like him,” Oliver stated confidently.

“Excuse me? I barely know the man! He is unfairly beautiful, yes. But he is a shameless flirt, and from what Sarah has said, he has been around the block!” I exclaimed.

“There was no denial in that whole statement.” Oliver laughed and stood just as we heard a knock on my door. “Admit it, you kind of like the doctor.”

“You, my friend, are delusional. Can you answer that?” I pointed to the door. “And also take your ramblings to someone else.”

Oliver laughed as he opened the door to reveal a damp Will on the other side. “Hi, welcome to Fibonacci Files, this is Jackie’s door. How can I help you?”

Will chuckled as he pointed past Oliver towards where I sat slack-jawed in my chair. “Just wanted to see Jackie.” It was then his piercing blue eyes met mine. Okay, maybe Oliver had a point, I had a little crush. “And apologize for my behavior.”

Oliver whipped around, putting together who was at my door. He gave me a goofy grin as he backed out the door. “Of course. Apologize away.” As he passed out of Will’s sight, he mouthed,You like him.