Page 25 of Red Snow

“I’m sorry, Stacey,” I manage to say as she turns the knob and opens the door.

“Take care of yourself, Jarrod,” is the last thing she says before walking out and closing the door behind her. I feel a cold rush of air swoop in and hit me in the chest. I don’t know if it was from the door closing or if it was just the feeling of my heart breaking as I watched her leave. Fuck.

I walk back over to the couch and sit down. I fucking hate feeling like this. I don’t like that I miss her so much and she just walked out five seconds ago. I hate it so much. I want her, but I can’t have her without hurting her, and she wants to move on. Ugh. Life fucking sucks!

I don’t want to feel like this for another second, so I get up and walk into the kitchen. I open the cabinet above my stove and grab a bottle of Hennessy Privilege. I pop out the cork and take a swig that probably equates to a double shot. It burns all the way down, but I’ll take it if it gets my mind off of what just happened. I’ll do whatever it takes.

With that thought, I take another swig of the strong cognac and walk back into the living room, snatching up my phone off the coffee table.

I scroll through the contacts until I see her name, and I know I shouldn’t do it, but my emotions are all over the place, and Stacey just told me to take care of myself like we’re never going to speak again. So I say, “Fuck it,” and start typing away.

Me:Hey, you busy? I could use some company.

Brandi:Pleasantly surprised to hear from you. I’m on my way.