11. Chapter Eleven
Chapter Eleven
I blinked my eyes open only to slam them shut the second I caught sight of the bright light streaming in through the open curtains.
“Ugh, already?”
I’d set my alarm for my run, but here I was again, dreading the actual waking up part. I rolled over, throwing my hand to my nightstand, scouring the table for my phone. I forced myself out of bed, got dressed, and walked out the door before I could talk myself out of it.
Today’s run was quieter than normal. Probably because the entire town was sleeping off their hangovers and had no intention of moving until it was time to start partying again. Honestly though, it was nice, and the quiet gave me extra time to be with my thoughts.
The summer sun was already a scorcher, and the heat radiating off the sand forced sweat beads down my back, making it an easy decision to cut my run a little short. My feet pounded the pavement as I neared my apartment building. Unlocking my door, I heard my phone vibrating on the counter. Apparently I’d forgotten it on my run, and the fact that I didn’t even realize I ran without music should tell you how loud my thoughts had been.
Sam:
Don’t forget, you’re coming with me tonight. You better not try and get out of it. You know I can’t show up to this party by myself.
Me:
Calm down, I’m coming with you. But what are you wearing?
Sam:
Anthony bought me a new black dress for tonight :)
Me:
Well, shit. Now I’m absolutely going to have to go buy something.
Sam:
You’re welcome for giving you the perfect excuse to go shopping.
Me:
Ugh. I’ll see you at 9.
Sam:
ILY!
Me:
Love you too.
The words I always ended my conversations with.
I love you was something I found myself saying all the time. It took me a while to get to that point with Sam, but once I did, I never missed a chance to say it. You’ve got to be heavy on the I love you s, because life was just too damn unpredictable. I learned my lesson the hard way that you could never tell your people you loved them too much, because you never knew when it might be your last chance .
I set my phone down and headed for my bedroom.
By lunch, I’d already showered, attempted to write—unsuccessfully—and decided to head down to the shops to find something appropriate to wear tonight. I tried to picture an outfit but couldn’t, so the optimism was slim.
Wave Break was the first store I tried. The store’s boho beachy vibe appeared effortless, but every outfit I tried on looked like I was wearing lingerie, which definitely wasn’t the look I was going for. Next was Salt their meaning extended far beyond their beauty. They were Liv’s favorite, and after she died, Mom surprised me and planted ten lilac hydrangea bushes. She said planting the bushes would ensure that Liv would always be around us.
I couldn’t see Mom, but I could hear her voice coming from around the house. Walking to the back porch, I was greeted by Mom, Dad, and the Mitchells. “Hi! What are you humans doing?”
“Oh, you know, just enjoying one of John’s famous mojitos to kick off the long weekend,” Dad said, holding up his glass that was dripping with sweat. “Want one?”
“No, thank you. I was just stopping by to make sure you don’t need any help tonight. With Sam and I both off—”
“We’ve got it covered,” he said, cutting me off mid-sentence. “Go have fun. Sam told us she’s taking you to a party. That’ll be good for you.”
“Do you have something to wear?” Mom chimed in.
“Mom, I’m twenty-eight years old. I can figure out my own outfits,” I joked, although I was dying to tell her about my new dress. “But since you asked… I did stop by Salt I couldn’t lose them too.