As I yanked open the door to my truck, I couldn't believe that I'd let myself start getting so close to her again. I knew she would disappear, everything screamed that history would repeat itself and I still hadn't listened.
I slammed the door and started it up. When I glanced up, Joanne stood on the porch. I watched her quickly wipe her eyes before she turned and retreated back into the house. My heart clenched painfully.
Why can't she just see where I'm coming from? Why is she insisting on doing this?
I knew she was pushing me away, but what could I do about it? I had to walk away because I was too angry to see straight.
I need a drink.
Chapter 15
Joanne
I watched Peter leave. He peeled out of the driveway and tore off down the road. I frowned at his sudden departure. I was worried he'd hurt himself driving around like that, but I also knew it wouldn't help if I said anything. It would just piss him off more.
What am I doing?
I had no idea anymore. As much as I wanted him not to be angry, I knew that it was best to cut things off right now. The more we lingered, the harder it would be to go. Right?
I moved away from the window once he was completely gone and wiped at my eyes. Why the hell am I crying? It was dumb. Like I'd told him it wasn't like we weren't going to talk to each other in the future. I had no plans on ignoring him or not being his friend. And that was all that we were. Friends.
So, why did thinking that hurt so much? I grabbed the counter and held onto it as I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to drown it out. I'd never seen Peter so angry before. Usually, he would just get quiet but the way he looked, that hurt on his face.
I wanted to cry and I couldn't understand why.
I knew he'd get over it and we'd go back to being friends, right? So, why did it hurt and refuse to stop?
The sound of footsteps trudging through the house forced me to wipe my eyes and hide the fact that there were tears on my lids.
"We're all set," one of the movers said as he walked inside. "Did you need anything else?"
I shook my head. "No, that's it," I said quietly. "Thanks."
I tipped them and watched them leave. All I had to do was one final walkthrough and I'd be done. I pulled out my phone first and texted Amber that I would be hitting the road soon. I knew it would be getting dark and I chewed my lip and informed her I might be leaving first thing in the morning. I still had a sleeping bag. I could camp out on the floor until morning.
As soon as I put my phone down I glanced around. All I could hear was Peter's angry voice and I frowned.
It had to end. I know that.
I knew it was best to break it off cleanly before things became too complicated. We'd had fun, I loved that. But that was enough. I had a life to get back to.
I wandered through the house on my walk through and tried to ignore the miserable feeling in my gut. Every time I went from one room to another all I could think about were the memories the house had and the good ones that Peter had given me instead of the misery I'd lived with before. I stopped in the kitchen. I couldn't even count the number of times we'd sat in that room and talked while stuffing our faces. It was one of my favorite memories.
My stomach twisted and I felt like a piece of shit again. He'd been so upset and I definitely could have handled it better. I just didn't know how. When he was right in front of me I forgot how to speak and think.
All I wanted was for his hand to touch my cheek and to feel the warmth of his body against mine again.
I shook my head. Enough. I know this is for the best. I had to get over it.
Amber texted back that she couldn't wait until I got back in town. I didn't read the rest of the rambling message where she talked about grabbing drinks and hanging out like we were old friends. It annoyed the hell out of me.
My phone rang and I picked up when Dan called me. I was still waiting on him to replace the alternator with a brand new one and he said he’d be around this evening to install it. As much as I could have risked the trip back to Vegas with the car as it was, he advised that I should wait until it’s properly ready if I didn't want to break down again. I didn't want to do that out in the middle of nowhere so I waited and prayed he has the part ready to install now.
"Hey, I was calling you about that part," he said as he picked up. "You still in town?"
"Yeah, I'm still here. I'm at the house. Are you bringing the part over?"
"I wish I could, but I don't have it yet. That's why I called. I can pick it up first thing in the morning and install it, but tonight it's a no-go. Do you think you could wait until the morning?"