Chapter 13 My Crunchwrap Supreme Can Wait
CHAPTER 13: MY CRUNCHWRAP SUPREME CAN WAIT
JACE - PRESENT
W e are officially on day three of the silent treatment. Logan won’t answer any of my texts or calls. Our apartment isn’t very big, but Tanner has somehow figured out a way to avoid me at every turn. Thanks to Lacey’s revelation the other night I’m starting to doubt if applying for the job in Atlanta is the right call. I didn’t cheat on her, but it seems as though everyone believed her over me. It’s left me questioning if it’s worth sticking around.
I’m on my way to meet Enzo for a run. While I’m thankful he’s not icing me out like everyone else, I’m not sure what to expect from him. If I’m honest, I considered canceling, but he seems to be the only person willing to talk to me and I’d love to know what everyone is thinking.
I pull into the gravel lot and spot Enzo leaned up against his car near the top of the trail. Parking next to him, I grab my phone and earbuds and jump down from my Jeep.
“Surprised you still wanted to meet up this morning,” I say, offering him my hand.
“Figured if we were running, we wouldn’t really have to talk,” he says. His lips turn up at the corners and he grabs my hand, pulling me in for a one armed hug. “How are you holding up?”
“I don’t know man. No one will talk to me. I was planning on applying for the job in Atlanta, but I haven’t. It feels like everyone would be happier if I left again.” I pull my leg up behind me to stretch my quad.
He nods. “You and Lacey definitely took everyone by surprise.”
“I didn’t do it.” I switch legs, pulling my ankle to my ass.
“That’s what you keep saying.”
I offer him a pathetic smile. It’s clear he’s not quite sure what to believe and I know there’s no sense in trying to convince him. I need to convince Lacey.
“Not that my opinion matters,” he continues, stretching into a lunge. “Or, that you asked for it, but I don’t think you should make this decision based on anyone, but what you want. The other night you said you were wanting to settle down to be closer to your dad and she has nothing to do with that.”
My heart clenches and I know he’s right. It’s been five years since my mom has passed and I know I haven’t been the best son. Rarely home when she was alive and then even less once she died. The thought of losing my dad and being out of reach pops into my head.
I shake the thought and try to focus back on what he’s saying.
“You’re right. I wish there was a way to work all of this out.”
“Have you tried talking to Poppy?”
“No, I don’t have any way to get in touch with her. Logan won’t respond to any of my texts or calls. Why would she?”
“Logan is gone for her. If you talk to her and get her on your side, then maybe he’ll follow.”
“But, how?” I exhale.
“Maybe text her. Tanner should have her number. Donovan and I want you to be happy. We’re both not completely convinced Lacey’s lying about your past, but we also aren’t convinced you did it either. You two are going to have to work it out in your own time, but until then I’d start with Poppy.”
I lean my head back and take a deep breath. “Your unwavering confidence in my integrity means so much to me.”
He laughs and puts his hands up. “Hey. What you did at eighteen is not for me to judge.”
I shake my head. We both walk towards the trailhead.
“You ready to go?”
“Let’s do it. Five miles, right?”
“Yep. And thanks, man.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“No, I meant thank you for treating me like a person today. I know you don’t believe me, but you kept our plan. I wish I could say the same for everyone else.”
“I’m getting married in July, not even you could make me skip my cardio.” He lets out a long laugh and takes off down the trail. I fix my earbuds in my ears, start my music, and follow behind him.
“Tanner, can you come out and talk to me?” I bang on his bedroom door. His car was parked outside, so I know he’s home from work. “At least let’s try to hear each other out and put this behind us.”
His door swings open and he pushes past me into the living room where he crashes onto our sofa. His arms are crossed and his face gives nothing away.
“I didn’t—” I try to begin, but he interrupts me.
“Can I start?” he asks. I nod and he continues. “Look man, I need you to know I didn’t know who she was when I brought her home. If I had known she was the Lacey, then I would have never slept with her.”
“I know you didn’t do it intentionally,” I say. “Fuck, do I even want to know how many times it happened?”
“It happened once and I promise it’ll never happen again.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He shrugs. “I almost did a few times, but I was worried about how you’d react. I feel terrible. I don’t know the whole story, but I know she means a lot to you. If I had known who she was I would’ve never crossed that line. You have to know that. I would never jeopardize our friendship.”
“I know you wouldn’t.”
“If it makes you feel better it definitely wasn’t my best work. I mean shit, dude, she called me a mediocre lay. It obviously meant nothing and while I won’t deny that she’s attractive, there was no chemistry. We’re meant to be friends. Nothing more.”
“You’re sure?”
“Fucking swear it, dude.” There is a beat of silence as I consider what my best friend is saying. Tanner was there for me when he barely knew me. When Archie gave me his number I didn’t know what to expect. I had never lived with anyone before and honestly wasn’t looking forward to it. I was distraught about my mom when I moved in and Tanner forced me to talk about her. I don’t think I could have gotten through those first few months without him.
“I know it wasn’t intentional, so I can’t be mad at you. You didn’t know and I don’t own her. She was right the other night. She can sleep with whoever she pleases, even if that’s you. I have no right to be mad.”
“You believe me?”
“Yeah, I believe you.” His shoulders noticeably relax.
“Thank fuck,” he laughs. “I’ve been avoiding this conversation for days. You sure we’re cool?”
“Yeah, we’re cool. How could we not be? Her and I aren’t anything. Not even friends.”
His eyes roll at my statement and he takes a deep breath. Standing, he grabs his keys off the coffee table like he’s about to leave.
“Wait, where are you going?” I ask.
He freezes. “Taco Bell. I’m starving from stressing about this conversation, so now that we’re cool I’m gonna go grab dinner. Want something?”
“You don’t want to talk about Lacey saying I cheated on her?”
“Not really. I know you didn’t do it.”
“You do?”
“First of all you’re a good guy. Even younger and dumber you would not have it in him to cheat on a girl. Second, if you had, you would have told me and you said you didn’t know what happened.”
“You’ve been avoiding me for days and you knew I was telling the truth?”
“Dude, it’s obvious you still like her, maybe even love her and I was fucking terrified to face you after you found out I slept with her. I thought I was a dead man.” I’m not completely sure I believe what I’m hearing. I don’t respond to his accusation either. Is it obvious?
“But none of you will talk to me.”
“Oh that’s because everyone else believes you cheated,” he chuckles. “And they’re pissed you aren’t owning up to what they think you did.”
I run my hands down my face. “This is fucked, man.”
“Want to talk about it?” He sits back down with a huff. “I guess my Crunchwrap Supreme can wait,” he mumbles under his breath.
Not a day has gone by in the last ten years that I haven’t thought about the day Lacey ended things with me. You don’t get over heartbreak like that. At eighteen, I thought she was my future. Hell, at eight, I thought she was my forever and then it all came crashing down. I take a deep breath.
“The girls and I were neighbors and best friends growing up. Poppy was the sister I never had and Lacey, well, fuck, I was in love with her before I even knew what love was. The summer before my senior year and the girls’ junior year we finally stopped fucking around and admitted we were into one another.”
He nods and I take another deep breath.
“My senior year I got accepted for this year-long photography program in D.C. with this phenomenal photographer. The plan was for me to complete it and then come back and start college with the girls. About four months into the program, Lacey called and told me she felt like we wanted different things. I begged her to give us a chance and she was adamant things were over. I tried reaching out to Poppy, but she ignored all of my calls and instead texted me she was done with me too. Neither of them would talk to me.”
“She didn’t accuse you of cheating?”
“No, she just kept saying she knew we wanted different things. I had no idea what she meant.”
“And that was it?”
“Yeah, a few weeks after the phone call, she posted a picture with Poppy and these two guys from our highschool, Beau and Alex. Beau was Poppy’s boyfriend and Alex was Beau’s asshole best friend. I always knew he had a thing for her and so I figured he had something to do with what happened.”
“So, you think she cheated on you?”
“No, her heart is too good. I knew she hadn’t cheated, but I do think I was gone and busier than I thought I would be. We were young. Long distance was hard and he was there.” I let out a laugh. “In a moment of desperation, I liked the post and commented something dumb. Then, attempted to call her and Poppy way more than I should have. I’m sure they thought I was a lunatic, but I was in love with her. After that, both of them blocked me on all of their socials and their phones. I tried talking to her once when I was home. I dropped off a letter and asked her to meet me. The same night I found out she was with Alex from the picture and she looked happy, so I threw myself into work and school.”
“Fuck, man, but why do they think you cheated on her?”
I shrug and roll my neck, running my hand down the back of my head. “Beats me.”
He nods. “I’m sorry, dude. I believe you, but Logan’s going to be harder to convince. Poppy’s word is gold and you know how he feels about cheating, especially after the shit his dad pulled when he was a kid.”
“Yeah, so how do I convince them I didn’t do it?”
“Hell if I know, man, but we’ll think of something.”