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“I don’t know. You know me, always overthinking. I just don’t want to disappoint him and catch feelings.”
“That’s got to be refreshing though, no?” Dakota slides me a smirk as she sends a quick text message, presumably to Asher.
“It is, it’s just different.” I shrug my shoulders.
“Well, have you ever considered that maybe he’s already caught feelings?” She licks her lips, lowering another box.
“That’s crazy,” I reply. But really…it’s not. But I think that’s what makes me nervous. I’m not sure I’d know how to handle that. “Besides, just because we fuck sometimes doesn’t mean we still really know each other,” I add.
“That’s what this dinner is for.”
“No, this dinner is because his family couldn’t make it, and I offered to take their place.” I pick up another box, trying to not trip off the sidewalk.
“To get to know him better.” Her sarcastic tone makes me laugh, she’s relentless.
The silence sits between us for only a few moments as we come to the realization that this is goodbye.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” she tells me, leaning down for her water bottle.
“You’ll call me every day?” I ask, looking into the sunset lowering behind the mountains, hues of purples and oranges layering the barely-there clouds.
“We’ll never lose touch. I promise. I just hope I’m doing the right thing.”
We sit down next to each other on the curb of the sidewalk just out front of our apartment complex. I look to my left and can barely see Callan’s building in the distance touching the sky in all its luxurious glory. I wonder if he’s there now.
Dakota leans over and rests her head onto my shoulder.
“I have to be honest; I’m pretty pissed off at Asher.” I know it’s a tough topic for her, but I can’t seem to understand how someone’s fiancé couldn’t even spare a couple of hours to help pack.
“It is what it is.” She picks her head back up. “He’ll at least drive me to the airport.” She waves off nonchalantly. “But while we’re on the subject of being pissed off at men, I need to tell you something about Callan. And I know this might not be the best timing, but it never is these days.”
“Uh, oh.” I turn to face her on the sidewalk.
“Remember the night of my party? Well, I know Callan swooped in and rescued you, when you were pretty drunk. I saw him taking you out of Asher’s house.” Dakota takes a deep breath, but I’m not sure why she’s telling me this, when I was there to experience it.
“Okay?” I reach over and push strands of her fiery hair behind her ear, trying to busy myself from worrying.
“Well, just a few moments before that...I saw him in the kitchen.” I’m not sure why, but my eyes start to prick with tears. I can tell this isn’t going down the road I want it to go down, the one with rainbows and sunshine and daisy-lined dirt drives.
“One minute he was alone, walking through the kitchen. The next thing I know, he’s up against the fridge with another girl’s lips on his. I didn't recognize the girl and I wasn’t sure how long they’d been that way because I was bumped by Asher's friend and when I regained balance, he was gone, and she was on the floor crying.” Dakota sucks in a shaky breath as she squeezes my hand. The lone tear falls before I have time to comprehend what I’m being told.
“What are you saying, Dakota?”
“Well, I know for sure I saw them kiss. After that, I’m not sure. But someone told me that after they kissed, they got into an argument, and he hit her.”
I feel like the sidewalk is being pulled apart right out from under me, taking me down with it. The cracks getting bigger until I slip right in between. My whole body goes numb. He wouldn’t do that...would he?
But then again, we weren’t together. Westillaren’t together. But that doesn't make this hurt any less.
“Listen, babe. I didn’t mean to spring this on you. I wanted to tell you earlier but then we got into that fight. Who knows if that’s how it really went down, but I know what I saw and needed to let you know, regardless.” I can tell Dakota is just trying to do the right thing as my best friend, with no ill-intention. She’s just looking out for me.
“Thank you, Dakota. I’ll, um...I don’t really know what to say. I’ll keep my eyes open.”
She doesn’t know that Callan and I have already crossed the line, further than either of us anticipated. Multiple times. I’m not sure how to handle this news, but I’m going to hold it close for now.
“I just have to make sure you’re being treated right. I don’t know much about Callan other than what I’ve heard, and I know that right now he makes you happy. I know you’ll make the decision that's right for you, Sterls.”
I lean on her shoulder now, grateful to have such a supportive friend.
