Page 68 of Palm South University: Season 3
MY EYES ARE WINGED, lips painted a deep red, and hair curled to perfection as I jump into bed. Normally I wouldn’t go all out for a night in, but Jarrett and I have a video chat date set to start in less than five minutes, and I want to make him want me so bad he’s booking a plane ticket.
Okay, so I know that’s not possible right now, but if I can at the very least make him say, “Damn,” I’ll be happy.
I’m dressed in nothing but a lacy thong as I dive under the sheets, thankful Skyler has another poker tournament keeping her busy and out of our room for the evening. I pull my top sheet up over my chest, leaving just the sweetest view of cleavage in the camera line before dialing Jarrett’s number.
My face fills the screen as it waits for him to connect and I touch up my hair again, running my fingers over the curls. But when the phone rings for almost a full minute before disconnecting completely without an answer, I frown.
He said eight o’clock, right?
I check our text messages and the time on my phone again, just to be sure.
Sighing, I lay my phone on my lap and wait, convincing myself he’s probably just getting out of the shower or something. But when ten minutes goes by without a call back, I try again.
No answer.
When it’s half past eight and there’s not even a text from him, my excitement fades into disappointment and uncertainty.
- Hey, we still on for tonight? -
I send the text, heart flipping in my chest when I immediately see the three bouncing dots that tell me he’s texting back.
- One sec. -
I smile, flipping on my camera to check my lipstick and fluff my hair again, but when his name finally fills my screen along with a picture of us from his last visit, it’s a regular phone call, not a video one.
“Hey, babe,” he says immediately when I answer, though I can barely hear him over the loud music and laughter behind him. “I’m stepping outside, just give me a second.” My heart sinks, the background noise clearing when he’s outside, replaced by the soft, almost muted sound of traffic. “Sorry about that. How are you?”
“I’m fine. Aren’t we video chatting tonight?”
Jarrett sighs into the phone. “I’m so sorry, Jess. I completely forgot. Today was absolute hell at the office. We’re in crunch time for this project and they had assigned Matt to help me and Jenny, but he’s been sick for a week now, so it’s just the two of us again and we’re beat. We ended up stopping for a drink after work.”
All the warmth drains from my face, slipping slowly down my neck. “Oh.”
“It’s just a drink, Jess,” he assures me. “We’re both under a lot of pressure right now and needed to take a break before we both lose our damn minds.”
I swallow despite the knot in my throat, nodding even though he can’t see me.
He sighs. “You’re pissed, aren’t you?”
At that I close both of my eyes tight, two twin tears rolling down opposite cheeks. “Just tell me the truth, Jarrett. Are you and Jenny… are you messing around with her?”
“What?!” Jarrett huffs. “No. And I told you this last time you accused me of it. I’ve had a shit day at work and I needed a beer. So did she. So, now we’re takingonefucking hour to decompress and I don’t understand why I can’t do that without you throwing a childish fit over it!”
His words only slice me deeper, more tears pouring hot down my face as I wipe at my nose. “I miss you!” I scream back. “Is that my crime? That I miss you and I’m sad when you blow off our date to have a drink at a bar with another woman? How would you feel if you were me?”
“I’d be understanding,” he snaps back. “And I’d tell you I’m sorry to hear you had a bad day, and I’d ask you to call me later when you get home.”
“Bullshit,” I whisper, sniffing and batting at the tears on my face. “That’s bullshit and you know it.”
“All Iknowright now is that I’m tired of having the same argument. Nothing I say is going to make you believe me.”
“Actions speak a lot louder than words.”
He barks out a laugh. “Wow. I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.”
I shake my head, heart breaking with every cold word that leaves his lips. “We’re not anymore.” And with that, I hang up the phone, dropping my face into my pillow and letting my tears consume me.
Every breath burns my lungs, like the air is left toxic from our fight. I know he’s working hard, and I understand that need to relieve the stress, but it doesn’t change the fact that he forgot about me — about our date — and that hurts more than anything.
He didn’t even apologize, I think, which makes the tears come harder.
I should be on a plane tonight, a plane that would take me to him, into his arms, the place where I feel safe and comforted and okay. But instead, I’m crying alone in my bed, wondering why we’re even doing this to each other anymore. Maybe he’d be happier without me breathing down his back, needing his constant reassurance. Maybe I’d be happier without him breaking promises, without feeling like a nuisance more than a girlfriend.
Just the thought of living without him makes me curl into myself tighter, shaking my head as a new wave of tears rush down my face, soaking my pillow. I’ve never loved anyone the way I love Jarrett, and I know I wouldn’t be happier without him. I’d be miserable.
But does he feel the same?