Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
L evon
The sidewalk was brimming with life as I stepped up to Bob's Deli. I reached for the door at the same time as another fellow, withdrawing immediately when I saw his hand.
“Oh, I'm sorry!” I blinked at Gabe and smiled nervously. “Hey, man! Good to see you around. You can go ahead.”
Gabe laughed. “After you, man. Age before beauty.”
As he pulled open the door, I shot him a funny look and chuckled as I walked inside. My heart picked up an extra rhythm. I placed my hand over my chest as I wandered into the deli and stepped to the side, allowing other customers to pass me.
Gabe stood next to me. “How's it going? How's your sister?”
“It's going good! She left the day after the wedding, so I haven't quite heard from her yet.”
“Well, I hope she's having fun. She and Ryan looked so dang happy. I actually cried a little bit during the service.”
I smiled. “Awe, man! It was beautiful, wasn't it?”
I wonder if he noticed Clara and I leaving together? I blinked away the thought while keeping my facial features calm. I mean, it's none of his business, but he might harp on me about it.
“It was amazing. I'm so proud of Ryan for marrying Jen. She's a good woman and he will surely treat her well.”
I nodded. “Thankfully, he grew up, right?”
“You're right about that!”
“How's everything going with you?”
He bounced slightly, appearing relatively happy. “Everything is going really great. Clara came over last night and we hung out for a while.”
My mood shifted as my heart split open. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah, it was great. I was glad to see her. I didn't think we'd get to hang after things ended the way they did.”
“Yeah, I'm sure.”
“We had a good talk and everything is okay now.”
I forced a smile. “That's so good to hear.”
So, she cleared her head by running back to Gabe—that hurts.
“Do you want to grab lunch with me?” he asked. “We could hang out for a little while. I'm sure you need to get back on the work train soon and I need to prepare for New York.”
“You know, I . . . I actually need to get back to my parent's house. I was just taking a quick break from work and everything.”
“Awe, that sucks. I was hoping we could chill for a while.”
I nodded. “Maybe before we get too busy.”
“That would be awesome, man. I've been happy to see you around town. It's been really nice.”
“Yeah, it's been great, but you know how business is.”
“Yeah, the business world never stops.”
I chuckled nervously. “Anyway, I should get going.”
“Are you not going to grab a sandwich?”
“Nah, I forgot I needed to meet a client somewhere else.”
He nodded with understanding. “Always working, eh?”
“Always.”
“Well, good to see you! Let me know if you need anything. Don't be a stranger. I'll be leaving next month, so just text me whenever you want to hang out.”
I nodded. “Will do.”
I raced for the door, not bothering to clap him in a brotherly hug or shake his hand. I fled down the sidewalk as quickly as a nervous bride might flee down an aisle. I wasn't even sure why I was walking briskly, other than the fact that I felt heartbroken and betrayed.
It wasn't like Gabe and I couldn't be friends. We had always gotten along so well and him being back with Clara shouldn't ruin that. But somehow, it did. Her returning to him betrayed every indication that she was planning on coming back to me. It was so heartbreaking that I had to pause at the park and set myself down on a bench.
I breathed deeply. I gripped my knees to keep myself steady. My heart had decided to race well before I left Gabe's presence. As I focused on the tree near me, I tried to listen to the sound of the breeze winding through the branches. I honed in on the leaves dancing. I listened to them rustle together, creating a natural white noise that filled my ears.
I closed my eyes.
How much of a fool can I be to have thought Clara would have taken me back after all these years? I reflected with guilt. Maybe she just needed to rebound before getting back to Gabe. I was just a convenient interlude.
I rubbed my temples while keeping my eyes closed. Even if my thoughts decided to be a mess, I could keep my physical appearance under control. There was no need to panic. There were plenty of solutions to this issue. Since Clara hadn't called me or texted me about Sunday, I could safely assume her decision was set in stone.
It meant I could move forward. It meant I could call my boss and get on the next flight to Canada. I had most of the details I needed and there was nothing else holding me back. All I had to do was dump the same clothes I had been wearing into my suitcase and leave. No explanations needed.
Mom is used to this and so is Dad. I could easily hop the next flight and just leave Checotah in the dust.
I opened my eyes to let the sunlight flood my vision. At first, everything was strikingly white, but then the colors filled in and I found myself staring across the park at the cafe where my sister worked. I was on the same bench as a couple of weeks ago. It was odd, but it seemed fitting.
I sighed as I pulled my phone from my pocket. There were already several work emails in my inbox. I opened the one for Canada to review the details. It was an easy enough gig. I would have plenty of time to explore the city in between meetings.
I clicked on my boss's contact information and held the phone to my ear.
He answered after the second ring: “Levon! My favorite man!”
“Hey, boss. I got the details for the trip. I can leave immediately.”
“That's exactly what I wanted to hear. It was looking to be a bleak Tuesday, but you've made my day. I'm glad you changed your mind about leaving earlier.”
“Me too, Mr. Herring. If you could send me the flight information, that would be excellent. I can leave as soon as you'd like me to leave.”
“Wonderful—I'll get those details sorted immediately and send your tickets as well as your hotel accommodations. Just give me an hour to work it out. We could get you on a flight tonight.”
I nodded. “Excellent. Thank you, sir. I appreciate the opportunity to do this deal. I know it's a big one for you.”
“As I've said many times, Levon, I wouldn't trust anyone else.”
“Thanks, boss.”
“So, since you're taking up this extra trip, don't worry about the other account emails that have been sent. I'll pass those along to someone else. We need your full focus on Canada.”
I sighed internally. “That sounds great. Fill me in when you can.”
“Can do, Levon. This is getting to be partner territory. We might raise you up if you keep performing this well for us.”
“Wow, a partner? That sounds incredible.”
“Of course, you'll have time to think about that while you're traveling! I'll get back to you with the details in about an hour. Talk to you soon, Levon.”
“Thanks, boss.”
The line cut out and I set my phone down on my thigh, staring into the distance at nothing in particular. My career dedication was truly paying off. Even though things weren't going particularly well here, that didn't mean I didn't have options elsewhere. Becoming a partner meant getting the most high-end clients and overseeing my co-workers. I could really work my own hours. I could still travel if I wanted to.
This was the opportunity of a lifetime. I had danced around the idea of becoming a partner in the past. I knew my hard work would help me climb the ladder eventually, but I didn't realize how soon that might be.
I had thought that Clara returning to Gabe was the worst thing that could have happened to me aside from our initial breakup. But now, it was starting to look like the best thing that could have unfolded. If things hadn't gone this way, I wouldn't have taken up the Canada trip at all. I had even flirted with the idea of switching companies to stay here.
But not now , I thought with mild happiness. I could make more than ever. I could own a home. I could do things on my terms.
I hummed thoughtfully as I rose from the bench and meandered down the sidewalk. I had wandered a few blocks away from my car, but I didn't mind. It was giving me time to think. I avoided the same sidewalk leading to Bob's Deli and took an alternate route that went around the food buildings. As I approached my car, I pulled my key fob from my pocket and unlocked the doors.
I climbed into the driver's seat and met my reflection.
Things are changing for you, bud. Maybe it's not so bad after all.
Despite the fact that things were looking up at my job, I wasn't sure my personal life taking a hit was what I wanted. I mean, Clara had made her decision. She clearly wanted to be with Gabe. Whether she was going to move with him wasn't apparent, but she evidently didn't mind him going to New York.
And if she didn't mind that, why did she pass me up?
I shook away the errant thoughts. Those were all old news. I needed to focus on packing up for my trip and letting my folks know I wasn't going to go on the family vacation.
I sank slightly in my seat as I maneuvered my car back to my parent's house. I had a dozen things to sort before taking off. I had to make sure my room was clean. I was leaving tonight. As sudden as it was, I found myself relieved.
Sure, I was leaving again, but it would put distance between everything that happened and me. The farther I drifted from Oklahoma, the better I would feel. And I'm sure Clara would appreciate that, too. She would be settling back into her life and I didn't want to be around to distract her. Although we hooked up on purpose, there was no telling whether that would become a regular thing.
She would never cheat on Gabe , I assured myself. But she might keep running back to me when things go wrong with him. And since he'll be gone a lot, it's best if I leave. She needs space. I'll give her all the space in the world—by putting the world between us.
I drove feeling glum, slightly excited, and overwhelmed. I needed the distraction of the Canada trip to take hold immediately. Anymore thoughts about Clara would likely lead to me changing my mind. And I didn't want to do that. As much as Clara was undecided about who to stick with, I wasn't. I knew exactly what I wanted.
And what I wanted was to get lost in Canada.