WHEN YOU'RE READY
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Chapter Twenty-Four
Grayson
LENARD’S FUNERAL IS IN two days. Lenard didn’t have any kids, so his brother is having to put his affairs in order. After the funeral, they need help to go through his house. Taking stuff to the thrift store then getting it ready to sell.
I spend the next two days in a haze, not believing that he is actually gone and now at an annoyed point that Riley is gone, too. I haven’t tried to contact her. I mean, would she really travel from where she is to come to his funeral in the matter of a couple of days? I didn’t want to ask that of her. Maybe next week I will text her and let her know what has happened.
But for now, I button up my black shirt, tuck it into my black wranglers and slide on my boots. Today is going to suck.
Two hours later, Lenard’s casket has been lowered into the ground and we have all said our final goodbyes. Afterwards, most of the group heads to the bar.
“First round is on me,” Gennie says as we all filter in.
Olivia already has a lengthy line of shot glasses on the bar, and she fills them with whiskey. Everyone gets their glass, and we all hold them up.
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“To Lenard,” John says over everyone
“Here, here,” comes from some people, “Cheers” from others, and we all throw back the shots. And from there, it’s a celebration of life. Everyone drinks, we all tell stories about Lenard and by the end of the night I can’t walk straight. Good thing I don’t live far.
I say goodbye to the last of the people there and go to my apartment. I stumble up the steps and my phone buzzes in my back pocket. I pull it out and it’s Chris.
Chris: Hey man. Sorry I had to leave early. I hope the rest ofthe night went well.
Me: everything went great
I walk into my apartment, toe my boots off, and flop down on my bed. I bring my phone up and open Riley’s social media.
There’s picture after picture of her travels. Her smile radiating through each one. She’s happy. A drink in her hand and her toes in the sand. Just like Kenny Chesney sings. I swipe the app away and open my text messages. I pull up a new one and search her name. My thumbs hoover over the screen. Fuck it.
Me: I see you’re happy without meI click send and instantly regret it. I shoulda left my phone downstairs. I turn it off and slide it across the floor to the other side of the room. My world is spinning the moment I close my eyes, but it doesn’t take long before I pass out.
WHEN YOU'RE READY
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Chapter Twenty-Five
Grayson
THE NEXT MORNING, I regret every decision. From the drinking to the texting. What the hell was I thinking? I sit up and my head throbs. I notice my phone is across the room. I stand and zombie walk my way over to it. I turn it on. Nothing. Not sure why I got my hopes up.
I open my contact and call Olivia.
“Hello,” she says
“Hey, it’s Grayson.” My voice comes out groggy and low
“Hey, Gray. You sound rough. Too much last night?”
“Way too much. I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to work tonight. Would you mind covering my shift?”