Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
A nnie
“Briar, you are so tanned,” I note as I get into the back seat of her SUV.
“Right, I told her the same thing,” Ruby says.
“It’s so good to see you guys.” I sigh. “It feels good to be back.”
“Is everything okay?” Ruby asks, looking concerned.
I update my friends on the problems with my family’s farm and my family in general.
“I think my parents want a divorce. The only reason they stayed together was because of me, and now I’m all grown-up. I just hope we don’t end up losing the farm too,” I say, staring out the window into the dark night.
“I’m sorry, that’s tough,” Briar replies. “I remember when my parents divorced. I was only ten years old, but it’s something that always stuck with me. From that point on, I didn’t have a family. Although, I have to say, I don’t feel like I ever did. If it wasn’t for gymnastics and the friends I made here, I don’t know where I would be now.”
“I don’t remember my parents splitting up,” Ruby adds. “When my father left us Hayden and I were sad, but when Carmen left it felt like our whole world fell apart.”
“Okay, no focusing on the past. Annie, your dad loves you. I don’t see your mom fully walking out on you. I know it’s hard, but it’s probably for the best. I can’t count how many times you told me they have a loveless marriage. This is a chance for them to be happy. So look at it as one door closing and another opening,” Briar urges.
I don’t know how she can be this optimistic after everything she’s been through, but I salute her. I also don’t want to get myself into a funk because I spent the last week of break sulking.
I take a deep cleansing breath. “No more depressing talk. I want to hear all about your breaks,” I say to the girls.
“I think we need a few drinks before I tell you about my holiday,” Ruby counters, and she’s definitely made me curious.
We head into Black Jack’s, a bar a few minutes away from campus. It’s a repurposed brick warehouse and is a very cool and modern place, where a lot of Riverside U students hang out. The place is impressive with industrial-style lanterns lighting the entrance, and the walls are a mix of exposed brick and reclaimed wood planks. Edison bulbs hang from the high, vaulted ceiling, which showcases exposed wooden beams and black steel trusses. The place has a warm fun vibe. They also have an out-of-this-world menu with so much variety, and nothing you choose is bad. Even their mixed drinks are top-notch. Briar likes working here because she makes good tips and the other staff is cool. We get seated at one of the high-top bar tables, which is a polished wood slab. I was hoping for one of the tables with the leather armchairs or a booth with plush leather seats, but they all seem to be taken.
We get situated and order drinks, except for Briar since she’s driving.
“Okay, Rubes, spill, what happened over break?” Briar urges.
“You know Macklin,” she begins. We all nod. “We kind of started sneaking around at the beginning of last semester. Hayden found out over break and let’s just say, things got messy, but all is good now. Mack and I are together,” she announces as if it’s no big deal.
“Holy shit, I didn’t see that one coming,” I say. “You’ve barely spoken to him the last few years.”
“Yes, well, that all got cleared up the minute he saw me naked. But that isn’t important. I’d rather hear how Punta Cana was.” She waves us off and refocuses on Briar.
“Damn, I knew there was something going on with you. You weren’t around much and you were acting weird. I thought you were overwhelmed with school though,” I admit to Ruby. I’m not letting her drop this so easily. Dating her brother’s best friend and hiding it from all her friends is a huge deal.
“Sorry, I wanted to tell you guys so badly. But Hayden and Mack are close. I was playing with fire. I had to be careful. I like Mack so much. It felt like there was so much riding on the line.”
“I understand.” I reach out to squeeze her hand.
“Yeah,” Briar agrees.
“Thanks,” Ruby sighs. “I love you guys so much.”
We all chime that we love her too.
“Now spill the beans, Briar. I want to hear about this trip,” I say to Briar and the girls agree. Our friend Charlie is missing from our night out, but she and Finn are getting back from Tennessee tomorrow.
“Okay, but I need to whisper,” she says.
Ruby and I both nod, giving her our full attention.
“Basically, it was really quiet around here over break. We weren’t making much in tips and Taylor, one of the waitresses, pulled up her laptop and started looking for last-minute deals. We got a four-star resort with everything included for $450. It was an offer I couldn’t pass up. We were a group of about ten since some of the patrons who come here joined the trip.”
“Patrons?” I ask. “Who was it? Students from Riverside?”
She nods. “Some juniors and seniors. We basically ate and drank all day and lounged on the beach then partied at night. It felt so good to have that kind of break.”
Briar is on Riverside’s NCAA gymnastic team. She’s used to a very rigorous schedule, so this is out of the ordinary for her.
“Did you hook up with anyone?” I ask.
“I did, but I don’t think you’d know him,” she replies.
“Okay, Annie, it’s your turn,” Ruby prods. I feel bad that Briar knows about my fake relationship and Ruby doesn’t. I love Ruby and trust her, so it doesn’t feel right to lie.
“Rubes, you need to promise me you won’t share what I’m telling you with anyone,” I start. Our waitress brings over the cosmopolitans we ordered.
“Got it.” She nods.
“Cade and I are faking being together,” I whisper. “With Ford going to school here and wanting me back. . .”
I pause, as she holds up her hand. “He wants you back?”
I bob my head. “My mom decided to have Ford’s family over for Christmas Eve dinner. I had Cade there, thankfully,” I continue.
“Wait up,” Ruby says.
“How did Cade end up at your house?” she asks.
“It’s a long story but I was helping him since Scarlett is on his case about getting back together.”
“That girl is all kinds of crazy,” Briar declares. “Why would he take her back?”
“He wants to send her the message that he’s moved on. That’s where I come in,” I explain to my friends. “So he came home with me and acted as a buffer between Ford and me, which was great until I went to the kitchen after dinner to take a breather and Ford followed me. For some insane reason he thinks I could still want him, even after I told him I was with Cade.”
“Shit, Annie, is he stalking you?” Ruby asks.
“I don’t think so. He’s here at Riverside so he can be close to his father’s law firm. I don’t think his transfer has anything to do with me,” I explain.
“I hope not,” Ruby says.
“I’m going to the restroom. If the waitress comes, can you order me the chicken Caesar?” I ask the girls.
They both nod. I take off for the restroom. I’m wearing an off-white knitted sweater with a pair of jeans and my Uggs. Black Jack’s is pretty casual so I feel like I fit in just fine. The place is packed as I make my way to the back. I head into the restroom and relieve my bladder. After washing my hands and checking my hair in the mirror, I open the door to return to our table. Ford is waiting outside.
“I thought I saw you,” he says with a friendly smile. “Can’t miss that beautiful hair from a mile away.”
“Ford? What are you doing here?” I ask, completely thrown off. My body grows tense.
He laughs. His dimples popping. He’s bigger now than he was in high school. He’s wearing a black cashmere sweater and dark jeans. The sweater hugs his frame like a glove and, although, once upon a time I thought he was a gift to women, now I only remember the heartbreak and his attractiveness wanes in my eyes.
“Is that a way to treat an old friend?” he asks.
“You mean ex-boyfriend,” I clarify. “And that would be a yes.”
“Ah, you were always sassy, Annie. I loved that fire you have inside you.”
“If you loved it so much, you wouldn’t have cheated,” I remind.
“Aw, come on, beautiful.” He reaches out to touch my shoulder and I inch away from him.
“I told you I’m with Cade,” I say sternly.
Ford laughs some more. “You’re still with that guy? Come on, Annie, you and I both know he isn’t marrying material. I’m serious now. I want a serious girl. And that’s you.”
“I should go,” I reply, trying to inch past him, but his large frame doesn’t budge. I can’t get past him. “Let me go, Ford.”
He takes a deep breath and takes a step back. “I’ll be seeing you soon.”
I don’t say another word or look back as I make my way quickly back to the table. My heart is racing faster than a racehorse.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Briar says.
I situate myself back on the stool and take a long pull of my cosmo. “In a way I have. Ford is here. He cornered me when I left the restroom.”
Briar hisses and Ruby shakes her head.
“Shit, we have another crazy ex on our hands,” she says, referring to our friend Charlie’s ex, who was stalking her.
The waitress brings our food. Ruby got the mozzarella sticks and Briar got a house salad, muttering something about gaining some weight in Punta Cana.
We all eat quietly, but I am on edge. Ford thinks he can have anything he wants, but that doesn’t include me.