“Yeah. It is.” Shut puts her hands over mine and our eyes lock, probably for the last time. “Thank you, Grayson, for taking me on such amazing adventures and sharing your family and friends with me. I will never forget this place, and you.”
“I’ll never forget you either, Munchkin. Bye”
Do I hug her? Kiss her? No, that’s stupid. Those kinds of activities got me here in the first place. I gently pull my hands away and turn towards my car. I don’t let myself look back as I back away and leave the most spectacular girl I know.
130
T. SPEAR
Chapter Twenty-Two
Grayson
THE TWO WEEKS AFTER Riley left was rough. I was late to work three times because I overslept. And it wasn’t like I was sleeping in. I would wake up for the day and then sit down to watch some TV and fall asleep. It’s like my brain doesn’t want to think about the fact that she left.
She left.
And now my world feels like it’s bearing down on me. She moved on with her life, like it was nothing. Does she still think about me or was this really a quick pit stop and she felt nothing?
I find it hard to believe, but I almost have to think about it that way, or it hurts more.
“Grayson.” Gennie yells from the back room. I quickly hide my phone in my back pocket and see what she needs.
“Hey, Gennie. What’s up?”
“First I need you to climb that there ladder and grab that box.
Our summer days bash is in a few weeks, and I need to see what we have for decorations from last year.”
“And second?” I ask her as I walk over to the ladder.
132
T. SPEAR
“Second, you need to tell me what the hell is going on. You are never late for work. You have also been spacing out again and a few people have said you get lost in looking at your phone.”
I hang my head as I put my first foot onto the ladder. I turn to look at her.
“I don’t know what to do to be honest. I’m having a rough time.”
She nods her head. “I understand. I could tell you really liked that girl.”
Really liked might be putting it lightly. I climb the ladder and grab the box Gennie needs. I bring it down and set it on the counter.
“I’m here if you need to talk. You know that, right?”
“I know. I don’t want to burden you with my problems, though.”
“Don’t think of it as a burden. Think of it as having someone to talk to or vent to, if need be.”
“Thanks, Gennie.” I say and go back to the front of the bar.
Lenard came in while I was in there, so I grab him a Jack and Coke before walking over.
“Hey Lenard, how’s it going?” I set the drink in front of him.
“Not bad. Not bad. How about you?”