Maybe I’m blowing this whole thing out of proportion. There could be a completely valid reason for him to smile at her like she just made his day. Right now, I can’t think of any reason for that to happen. He smiled at her the same way I’ve seen him smile at me. With that same sort of affection in his eyes like I’m the person he can’t live without. That’s obviously not true if what I saw today is real.
I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel about Jake, now. Not sure if anything I felt was real, or if I was caught up in the moment of a possible summer fling with a hope that it could become more.
My phone rings in my purse, vibrating against the sides, but I make no move to answer it. I’m not ready to talk to him right now. Maybe never again. Instead, I walk the last few blocks back to the shop, trying to rein in my emotions.
I must do a shitty job, though. As soon as I open the door, Corey takes one look at my puffy red eyes and damp cheeks. “What did that little bastard do?”
Shockingly, it’s Bianca that rushes to my side before I can answer. She pulls me into her workroom, enveloping me in a hug. I’m not going to lie, this is pretty fucking weird. She is the last person I would expect to come to my defense. Things have been better between us since we had our showdown, but not so great that I would go to her to lean on when I’m upset. It only makes me wonder what all she has dealt with to single me out when I’m hurting and want to help.
“Are you okay?” she asks, gently patting my back.
“I don’t know,” I say. “Maybe?”
“What happened? I didn’t think you would be back already.”
“I just,” I hiccup. The after effects of the sobs that poured through me on my way back. “I just saw something I wasn’t expecting. I don’t really want to get into it right now.”
Bianca’s phone dings from where it sits on the table. Glancing over, I see that it’s Marshall. It could be a coincidence, but I have a gut feeling Jake put him up to texting to her to see if I was here. Bianca doesn’t grab up her phone the way she usually does to check her message. She chooses to comfort me, and I’m starting to see her in a whole new light.
Slowly extricating myself from her hold, I wipe the tears from my face with the bottom of my shirt. “I can’t be here right now.” I peer out of her door and see the small group of people waiting in the lobby for their tattoos.
“Can you take on some of my clients today?” I ask. She nods her agreement. “Whoever you can’t fit in, see if Sophia can schedule them for tomorrow.” I start toward the door adding, “And, let them know I’ll give them a discount for the inconvenience.
“I’ll ink as many as I can.” Bianca grabs my hand and gives it a small squeeze. “Go home and get some rest.”
I walk out of her workroom, and right out the front door. Not bothering to give Corey an explanation or tell anybody bye. I get in my beat up Toyota and sit there. A million thoughts running through my head, trying to figure out where I should go.
It’s only a matter of time before Jake shows up here at the shop, or at my door. There’s only one place he won’t know where to find me.
I put my car in drive and turn in the direction of the one person I know will always have my back. The person who will always want what is best for me.
* * *
“I didn’t even knowyou were seeing anyone,” my mother exclaims.
That’s right. I ran home to mommy. I’m not sorry, or ashamed, about it either. As much as she drives me crazy with the college stuff, she’s only looking out for me in the best way she can.
“I know. And, I’m sorry I didn’t say anything.”
“How long have you been dating?”
“Almost two months?” I’m not even sure. He started invading my thoughts before the first date.
“How in the world did you keep a boyfriend a secret from me for two whole months?” There’s hurt in her eyes, and I hate that I put it there. We’ve always been close. Mom is the first person I would run to when I was having guy problems.
“Well,” I start. “You’ve been on me about the whole college thing, and I didn’t have much of a chance to say anything about it. Plus, I’m not sure how things with Jake and I are going to end.”
“What do you mean?”
“Summer is almost over, Mom. He’ll have to go back to school where he plays football. Where does that leave me?” She begins to speak, but I cut her off. “And the whole reason I’m here right now is because today I saw him at the park with a baby and some other chick. I’m not sure I evenwantto see him again.”
The throw pillows lining the sofa fall to the floor as I scoot down to lay my head in Mom’s lap. She runs her fingers through my hair, soothing me the way she did when I was a small child. “Did you talk to him about it?”
I don’t answer, instead looking at the messages from Jake on my phone.
Jake:Charleigh, where are you?
Jake: Please, just let me explain. It’s not what it looked like.