Page 11 of You Found Me (The Meadow Springs #1)

Emmaline

It’s been a month since breaking off my engagement.

One full month of living with my parents again. Of going to work and back home to wallow. A month of going to a different yoga class than the girls so I don’t have to talk to anyone. I even took up running again— running —it isn’t pretty.

It’s all been rather . . . pathetic.

Everyone in town knows that Chance and I are no longer together, but the only people who know the reason are my parents and best friends.

It’s no one else's business but mine. I do feel bad for missing a few things during my wallowing, specifically Theo’s birthday.

He didn’t push me on not coming and was actually very understanding.

Chance has texted and called me more since the breakup than he ever did when we were together. Every message and voicemail for the first two weeks said the same things.

Chance

I’m sorry

I made a mistake

I love u

Please come back

But this last week and a half, the messages have started to reek of angry desperation. It seems that he’s only okay if it’s him that gets to ignore me for a chunk of our relationship, but now that he’s being ignored, it’s the end of the world.

Chance

U will never do better than me

No one is gonna want u

Stop being a bitch and just answer me, Emma.

After being yelled at multiple times over voicemail, I blocked him. And since no one ever accused him of being a genius, I guess he thought I’d be more inclined to talk to him in person.

At my job .

Where he then proceeded to belligerently yell, and then break down in tears once I called security on him. I immediately applied to the hospital in town and gave my two weeks notice at Charleston General Hospital.

I start my new job at Meadow Springs County Hospital in the Emergency Department, on Monday. Which is why I’m at Blossom Brews with Colette, Mia, Cori, Piper, and Callum.

Mia and Colette demanded I come out with the group tonight to celebrate my new job. Even though this is my second new job in the last six months, I was told to be more positive and let loose a little.

So here I am, being loose .

On our second round of drinks, Callum—Piper’s best friend—asks how it’s been living with my parents again. My face immediately heats.

“Well, I’ve walked into the house at various times of the day only to hear them going at it. But this afternoon was the icing on the cake. I came around the corner to see my mom on the kitchen counter with my dad standing between her legs.”

He shrugs. “I mean it could’ve been worse.”

“Yeah. If that was all it was, I could’ve dealt with it.” I take a large sip of my cranberry flavored seltzer, needing it to settle my stomach before continuing, “It was my dad’s white ass clenching that made me scream and run out the door down the street to Colette’s.”

The table is dead silent as they all try so hard to contain their laughter. They’re doing so well until Mia pipes in, “Well, your mom is a babe. Your dad should absolutely still be hitting that.”

Everyone completely loses it and between the choked cackles, Callum chimes in, “I met them on one of my first trips here after Piper dropped out of college. So, I’ll have to agree with Mia on this. I’d also like to add that your dad is insanely hot as well.”

“Thank you both for lusting after my parents and giving me nightmare fuel for the rest of my life. Needless to say, I think it’s time I move out.”

“I told you when all of this happened that you could move in with me. That offer still stands.” Mia adds, “Plus, I happen to know for a fact that I’m about to have a hottie for a neighbor that could take your mind off of everything.”

“I didn’t realize Mal had moved. Not that it matters since I’m taking a long ”—I stare Mia and Colette down making sure they take me seriously despite the alcohol—“long break from dating.”

“Apparently, she’s moving to Miami for a man. It’s all very scandalous within the complex. You know how the older generation is,” Mia says with an eye roll. “I know you’re not ready to date, but you could always get sweaty in the sheets with him.”

Piper glances mischievously at her stepsister and Mia. “I need to ask though—is he hotter than Colette’s neighbor?”

I look at Colette, watching her roll her eyes while Mia gags .

Callum grumbles quietly, not letting me catch what he said. He clears his throat then addresses the table, “Sure, Theo’s hot. But so am I, right?” He asks Piper with his big, hazel, puppy dog eyes, causing her to chuckle and pat his leg.

“Of course you are, Cal.”

I’ve noticed the few times we’ve all hung out together that Callum looks at Piper like he’s in love with her.

He’s a very out and proud bisexual man, but the only woman I’ve ever seen him look at with any interest is Piper.

I don’t think she realizes his feelings for her and I’m not sure if she’d reciprocate.

“First off,” I say to Piper in mock stern, “Theo is basically my older brother, so ew. And second, I’m not interested in anyone right now. Hot neighbors included. But if you’re positive Mia, I would absolutely love to move in with you.”

Before I know what’s happening, Mia has her arms around me, squealing in my ear, “Yay! Can you make it another week in that house? I have a crazy schedule this week at work and need to make sure all of my shit is out of your new room.”

Chuckling, I say, “No problem. I’ll just start announcing my presence whenever I enter the house. Or any room for that matter.”

“Heads up,” Callum says, tipping his head towards the entrance.

I look behind us when I hear Colette mumble out a shit as Theo and Spencer walk toward our table. I turn back around, downing the rest of my drink. “I’m gonna grab another round. Anyone not want another?”

I pause for a beat and when no one objects, I stand and spin around to head towards the bar.

Only to slam into a chest that’s becoming all too familiar with my forehead. Before I bounce back too far, Spencer gently grips my upper arms and asks, “Do you run into every person like this? Or am I just the lucky one?”

A small laugh breaks free, and I look up to his smirking face.

“I’m normally not this clumsy. Being an ER nurse doesn’t really allow for that.

Maybe you’re just unlucky in life, always being there for me to literally bump into.

” What am I even saying? I try to regain my composure.

And I just know my face is flushed from running into him, again .

“Anyway . . . I’m going to grab another round for everyone. ”

“Perfect. I’m feeling thirsty myself—I’ll come with you.”

“No. Don’t.” I blurt out, then quickly backtrack, “I mean, you don’t have to. I can grab your drink and drop it by whenever I head back to my table.”

He glances over to where my friends are. When his smirk deepens, I know that Theo’s made himself comfy with the group. “I do believe your table is now my table, so it’d feel wrong to let you bring everything back on your own.”

“Fine. Let’s get them before they get busy.”

Spencer looks around, confused. “Is this not busy? There’s barely anywhere to sit.”

I laugh, realizing he’s never been to Blossom Brews on a themed Karaoke Night.

“Oh, Spencer. You are in for a real treat in about half an hour. Johanna and Rose started Karaoke Night, which happens the third Saturday of each month. I’ve only been once before tonight but that never stopped Mia from video calling me to watch the show. ”

“Karaoke isn’t too bad. I’ve done it a few times in the past.”

“Well, tonight's theme is ‘women in music.’ Which tends to be pretty popular with the male population once they’ve had a beer or two.”

Spencer shakes his head, with a smile. “That would explain why Theo was so pushy to get me to come.”

“Oh yeah,” I say, laughing lightly. “He loves to sing ‘ Candy’ by Mandy Moore. We’re unclear on why it’s that specific song, but it never fails to dazzle.”

He throws his head back cackling, and I can’t help but notice just how deep that singular dimple gets when there’s a true smile on his face. When he calms down, he agrees. “That he does. He’s also pulled out ‘Goodbye Earl’ on numerous occasions back in college. Theo’s one of a kind.”

I smile. “That was always something we used to sing as kids. We made up some choreography one afternoon when we were nine and convinced Theo to let us wrap him up in a tarp. Although, he drew the line at us taping it shut. ”

Spencer grabs my hand so fast and pleads, “Please tell me someone recorded that performance.”

Laughing, I shake my head, pulling my hand away and ignoring the flutter it caused. “Not that I can remember.”

“Too bad.”

The bartender comes over, asking for our order, and when he walks off, Spencer and I stand next to one another awkwardly.

“I’m sorry to hear about your engagement.”

“Thanks. It’s made it easier being back home—even with all of the trauma my parents have caused.” I shudder. “But I’m going to move in with Mia soon.”

He bites his lip, attempting to quell his laughter. “Yeah, I don’t think I wanna know. Though, if you’re moving in with Mia, I guess that’ll make us neighbors.”

I feel my eyes widen and mentally curse myself for not putting more stock into Mia’s hot neighbor comment. “That’s the apartment you talked about having lined up?”

He gives a full smile. “Yep. I move in August 4th. So, are you the kind of neighbor I can ask to borrow a cup of sugar from?”

“Only if I can borrow an egg or two when Mia inevitably forgets to buy more. I loved living with her in college once we got in the roommate groove. But it’s going to take a bit to get back into the swing of things.”

“I don’t cook much—Beckett is the chef in the family. However, I always have eggs.”

Before I can respond, a tray of drinks is set in front of us. When I hand over my card for him to run, Spencer picks up the tray.

“Hey, I can get that.”

“I don’t doubt it. I just think it’d be rude to let you pay and carry my drink. We can switch it up next time.”

“Deal,” I say while I sign the receipt. Checking my watch, I see that karaoke is about to start. “Let’s head back and see which one of them is getting up on stage first.”

“After you, Shortstack,” he says with a wink, after sizing me up.

Rather than complain at the obvious joke about my height, I roll my eyes and walk back to our table. But I can’t ignore the small rush of desire that flows through me at the sound of the nickname coming from his lips.

***

The first two days at work had me shadowing another nurse, but since this hospital uses the same system as CGH, my final shift of the week is on my own.

While getting vitals for a patient, my nurse manager, Faith, peeks in. “You have a phone call, and it sounds pretty urgent. Go take it while I finish checking this patient in.”

Confused and worried something has happened, I rush to pick up the phone.

“This is Emmaline.”

“You know, I don’t appreciate finding out my fiancée changed jobs without telling me.”

I freeze.

Why didn’t I think to ask Faith who it was before I ran off?

“Do you have any idea how embarrassing it was to call the hospital here asking to speak to you, only to be told you quit last week?” Chance practically spits out. “You’re lucky I was able to play it off by saying I forgot to change your work number in my phone.”

“Chance, it’s been over a month since I ended things, which means I’m not your fiancée.” I take a breath, calming myself so I don’t cry at work. “You need to start telling people we’re no longer together.”

Clearly ignoring what I said, he goes on, “I think we can spin everything in a positive way as to why you decided to quit your job so suddenly, and why you aren’t living here.

” I hear the snap of his fingers. “Maybe we can say you went back home to deal with a sick family member. That could work and garner sympathy for us, especially if I make sure photos are taken of me comforting you outside of the hospital. I’ll ask Kari. ”

Kari is the head of Public Relations for the football team and his teammate’s girlfriend.

The first time I met her, she was completely rude to me for no reason.

Her boyfriend Grayson apologized profusely, claiming she’d been under a lot of pressure since taking the job.

Even if that was the case, I highly doubt she’d paint me in a good light.

“No. Kari can’t spin anything for us because there is no us. You ruined that when you decided to bring some other woman into our bed. I’m coming to the apartment at some point to pick up the rest of my things—it would be best if you weren’t there. Please stop calling me, Chance. We’re done.”

After I hang up, I put my head in my hands taking in slow, controlled breaths. I’m at work and it’s my first week. I refuse to be that person who brings all of their personal baggage with them on shift.

Why won’t he let me be?

Approaching footsteps drag me out of my head, and I wipe a few tears away before turning to see who it is. “Are you okay, Emmaline?”

“I’m good, Faith. It wasn’t anything of importance actually,” I say, trying to brush the whole thing all off.

“I’m not gonna lie. I heard the tail end of the call. Do I need to talk to Hank about keeping the person on the other end from coming into the emergency room?”

Hank is one of the security guards for the hospital during the day. I wave her off. “No, don’t bother worrying him with this. My ex will be too busy to come around. Thank you for asking though. And I promise this won’t be a regular thing with me.”

“Girl, don’t even worry about it,” she says with a small smile. “We all have not so fun stuff in our lives and that can sometimes creep into work.”

“My last coworkers weren’t the best and didn’t want to know anything about me until they realized who I was engaged to. Suddenly they all wanted to be besties.” I roll my eyes, causing her to laugh.

“I know that working in healthcare, some nurses in particular, can be cliquey and hard to navigate. This place isn’t like that—we take care of one another in whatever way we can.

And it helps that most of us here knew you before you started working here.

Just know I’m here for you,” she tells me and squeezes my shoulder.

“Take a few minutes to yourself before coming back out on the floor.”

Nodding, I say, “Thanks, Faith.”