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Ellie was right. I needed to get out. Clear my mind. Erase the images of Parker and that night from my memory. I need to move on without him and find happiness again. Sitting at home watching shitty television and crying into a bowl of ice cream is not going to help.
I walk down Main Street, stopping at Bloom, not wanting to be alone in my apartment. I know I won’t be able to stop thinking about him if I’m by myself. The memories won’t stop. His dark brown eyes, the sexy smile he gives me when he catches me staring at him. I can still feel the grip of his hand on my hip when he pulls me into him. Olivia, you need to stop this.
I’m a sweaty mess, so I sneak through the back door in hopes of no one seeing me. I grab a bottle of water from the small fridge in the back room and crack the top, hearing Ellie as she speaks to a customer. I turn to sit at the desk and when I do, I trip over my own foot, sending a glass vase to the floor. It smashes into smithereens as it hits the hardwood. You’ve got to be kidding me.
I hear footsteps running towards me from the front of the store. I’m mortified, wishing I could find somewhere to hide. I bend to the floor to clean up the colossal mess my clumsiness made.
“Olivia! You scared the shit out of me. Are you okay?” Ellie stares down at me, watching me pick up the larger pieces of glass, stacking them in my hand. I’ll need a broom and dustpan for the rest of the glass.
“I’m fine. Just bruised my ego tripping over my own two feet trying to be quiet. I didn’t want to see anyone except for you.” I can feel my face heat. Ellie’s expression changes and I’m confused as to why she is looking at me with an apology in her eyes.
“Is everything okay back there?” I look up to see Hunter standing beside Ellie, a look of concern on his face. Now I understand why my best friend was looking at me the way she was. Of all people to see today, it had to be Hunter.
“What are you doing here, Hunter?” I ask sharply. This can’t be happening. Who in this universe did I piss off so badly to deserve the last three days of hell? I must have stomped on a kitten in my previous lifetime to deserve this special kind of torture. I’m not sure how things could get worse but if I was a betting woman, I’d put money on it that they will.
“I came to see if we could talk, Olivia. I’ll only take up a few minutes of your time.”
Ellie watches me, waiting on my decision. I know she would have zero problem throwing his ass out into the street if I said the word. My eyes meet hers and I nod, letting her know I will talk to him.
“That’s my cue. I’ll be out front if you need me, Olivia.” Ellie narrows her eyes at Hunter, her lips pressed together in a straight line, leaving the two of us alone. I inwardly laugh. My best friend is a pit bull.
“What do you want, Hunter?” I leave the pile of glass at my feet and throw the pieces I collected into the garbage can behind me.
“I want to apologize to you.”
“Apologize for what?”
“For being such a jerk to you back in high school. I said some awful things to you that I never should’ve said. I’m not proud of myself and I know I screwed up. For what it’s worth, I never meant what I said.”
“It was a long time ago, Hunter. It’s my fault for believing you.”
“No, Olivia. It was completely my fault that you and Parker broke up. He loved you. He always has.” I wince at his words. “I was just a jealous prick who wanted what he had.”
I’m not sure what he means by that, but I’m too tired to care. None of it matters anymore. Parker and I are done, and there’s little point in dredging up the past.
“It’s fine, Hunter. It was a long time ago. We’ve all moved on. I’m not one to hold a grudge.”
Hunter exhales a deep breath and the corners of his mouth rise just a little. It’s a different side to Hunter. A softer, sweeter side than I remember from when we were kids. I guess even total asshats can change and mature.
“Parker is a lucky guy, Olivia. I’m really happy you found your way back to each other. You both deserve to be happy.”
I feel my eyes sting, tears blurring my vision. I swallow hard, willing the tears away. I do not want to cry. Especially in front of Hunter. He must notice because the small smile he had on his face is replaced with worry.
“Are you okay, Olivia?”
“I will be.” I pause uncomfortably. “Things didn’t work out with Parker. I’m sure you are going to hear sooner or later.”
Hunter looks genuinely confused. His fingers scratch the scruff of his jaw. I look away, pretending not to feel as uncomfortable in this moment as I do.
“I’m so sorry.” Hunter’s eyes soften. “I don’t know what to say. I’ve never seen Parker happier. I’m shocked.”
“Well, you and me both.” I’ve already said too much, and I can feel the tears burning the rims of my eyes. I can’t break down in front of Hunter. I need to get out of here. “Look Hunter, I appreciate the apology, but I really need to clean up this mess and go home. I hope you and Parker are able to mend fences. You’ve been friends too long not to. It would be a shame.”
Hunter nods and smiles. It doesn’t quite reach his eyes, but it’s warm and thoughtful. It’s the closest I’ve ever come to seeing a sympathetic side to him.
“I doubt a friendship with Parker is in the cards, but I will always only wish him the best. Take care of yourself, Olivia.”
He says goodbye and leaves. I realize in that moment how much his apology means to me, how much I needed to know he never meant the hurtful things he said to me. That was the lowest point in my life. It was his words that made me feel shame for who I was. For who my family was. I feel one weight lifted from my shoulders. It’s too bad I still feel like I’m carrying the weight of the world on me.
