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My brother sighs. “And incriminate Jen. She’s the only one he knows has possession of the photo. Might as well hang a giant flashing arrow at yourself as you distribute half-nudes on the internet without someone’s permission.”
She tosses my phone as she flips him off. “Whatever.”
I glance around and lean toward her. “I was thinking about going back to the house and grabbing some of the stuff I left behind before my sister throws it out. I saw something on the internet about putting food coloring in his shampoo.”
Her eyes gleam with excitement. “Yes, green or blue is probably the worst. His blondish hair won’t stand a chance.”
“Did you ever install the cameras I suggested?” Nick asks abruptly, and I shake my head.
He grins. “Then we’ll stop by the store and grab some fish to stuff in the vents.”
My mouth drops open, and Natalie barks out a laugh.
“I feel like that’s more diabolical than a bee costume on the internet. Your morals are fucked up,” she teases.
It certainly is in a league of its own, but either way, my heart warms at two of the most important people in my life not blinking twice at doing petty things to get back at my ex.
“We could take all the cords off the chargers,” I giggle.
Natalie snaps her fingers. “Yes, and take all his forks!”
The thing they don’t tell you about getting revenge is it’s incredibly satisfying while in the moment, but after you’re left with a ‘what’s next’ void that is almost crippling. Nick dropped us back off at the restaurant, then Natalie and I went our separate ways for the rest of the day. It wasn’t anything new, but I wasn’t used to coming home to an empty house.
I stand in the foyer of the small bungalow that I was lucky enough to grab for rent and the silence is deafening. I’ve never experienced such loneliness. It’s different than being home alone, but knowing your partner will be there in a few hours. No one is coming, no one will eat any leftovers if I make extra food, there’s no one to hear the recap of my day as we get ready for bed.
Swiping my fingers under my eyes to catch a single tear, I sigh and head to my bedroom. I don’t have the energy to sit on my couch and tell myself over and over why I’m better off. I have to get out of this house and out of my mental funk. Plus, it’s time to actually start to live in my new place, and stop treating it like a hotel. I need to grab a few things from the grocery store since take-out is getting old fast.
When I turn away from my neighborhood to head to the main plaza, a large gathering at the corner of the park catches my eye. The parking lot is nearly full when I pull in and watch the crowds of people walking around with bags and food. I’m not familiar with a lot of the events that happen in this town because Jared was never interested in going to them. He preferred to attend private events in the homes of people with a certain social status.
I’m not sure what compels me to get out and explore, but I’m past questioning it. There’s time to waste, and this seems to be a perfect opportunity to get lost. When I notice a familiar face in the crowd, I stop short and nearly knock over the person walking behind me. I debate making a run for it just as Jared’s little brother notices me.
“Hey,” Oliver smiles, waving me over. He’s directing people to walk down a pathway lined with pop-up tents.
The rows of tables are littered with random objects, each tagged with prices and my eyebrows knit in confusion. “What is all this?”
He laughs, shielding his eyes from the sun as he looks over the small crowd. “It’s our annual fair. The boys come up with things to sell for the season, mostly handmade. It’s usually more successful than selling chocolates.”
I glance back, realizing sitting behind each table is a range of boys from the high school that Oliver coaches baseball at. A smile lifts my lips as I walk over to the closest one and pick a knitted square. It isn’t a perfect square and some stitches aren’t tight, but it’s obvious what it is.
“You made this?” I ask.
The boy's cheeks flush, and he nods. “My grammie helps me set up the needles and pattern, but she makes me do the work. They’re coasters.” An older adult sits further behind him, a proud smile stretched on her face.
Oliver stands next to me, looking over the selection. “You’re getting really good, Jacob. Next thing you know people will be asking for custom orders.”
Jacob scratches at the back of his neck. “I don’t know.”
I grab four coasters, all varying shades of green. “I just moved, and this is exactly what I need for my new home. I would love these,” I say, holding them out for him to bag.
He beams and wraps them for me, then I hand over the cash for the items. Turning back to Oliver, I realize he’s been watching with a goofy expression on his face.
“What?”
Oliver shrugs. “I figured you and Jared never came before because it was a little too mundane for your tastes.”
My smile falters. “I honestly didn’t know you hosted this, Oliver. I think it's an incredible and inventive way for the kids to raise money.”
He nods, his body slumping with sorrow. “I heard what happened. I wanted to reach out, but I wasn’t sure.”
