Chapter 12 – Travioli
Hadley – 22 years old
S even days have passed since I ran away from him. Part of me is angry at myself for not hearing what he had to say, but the other part of me is angry at him for how he left.
“I wished we could be more too.” He knew was in love with him. He knew how hurtful it would be for me.
I’ve tried hard to get over Luke over the years. I never really understood it; we never dated, and he never acted like I mattered to him most of the time. Then when it was just us, well, I was friend zoned super hard.
But those words meant something. He felt the same way. So why hadn’t he acted on it?
I have so many questions I need answers to. I’m torn between wanting to jump in my car and find him to get those answers and staying as far away as I can from those answers.
When I arrived home that night, Margo was waiting on the steps with tears in her eyes. I dropped into her open arms and cried for hours. Through my hysterics, I told her what happened, and after I finished, she explained Luke had shown up at the house and she told him where to find me. I was still all over the place in that moment, so I screamed at her, placing the blame on her shoulders and shutting her out for the rest of the night.
It wasn’t her fault. I feel guilty for saying the things I said and pushing her away. Margo left the next morning to go on a field trip to Cambridge with her music class. She’s been away for the last week. I messaged her several times apologising. Each text read and not replied. I even went as far as to leave her a voice note.
Hey Tinkerbell,
I hope you’re having a lovely week.
Look, I know you’re upset with me,
I just need you to know, I really am sorry.
And I promise I’ll make it up to you when you get home.
I love you, okay? Bye.
Super sweet Travis turns up at my house after I fail to show for our coffee date . Unfortunately for him, Dad got to the door before Mum or me and brought him right up to speed with my life.
“You’re who now?” Dad asks.
“Travis, sir, is Hadley here?” I heard the tremor in his voice. Dad looks scary with his bald head and being over six-feet tall with large arms covered in tribal tattoos and a grumpy face. When you get to know him, he’s a real teddy bear.
“I see, well, her ex turned up after leaving her broken six years ago, and now she’s wallowing in self-pity. So, unless you are here to pull her out of her funk, leave.”
Scrambling my way out from the downstairs bathroom, I run to the door and push Dad out the way. Travis eyes me up and down and gives me a tight-lipped smile, then it hits me. In my panic, I forgot I haven’t showered in a week. My hair is greasy, my teeth feel furry and my breath stinks.
Travis nods, and his face softens. Tears brim my eyes, and he turns into a blur in front of me. “You want to come in for coffee?” I murmur.
He nods again, and I move to let him pass me. Pointing towards the kitchen table, I tell him to take a seat, shoo Dad back to the garden where Mum is, then make our coffees.
Travis says nothing while he looks around my home. Taking a seat opposite him, I push the coffee mug towards him.
“I’m sorry,” I croak out. He leans over and pulls my hand to the middle of the table, then interlocks his fingers with mine.
“Don’t be, its fine.” Biting his bottom lip, he carries on. “It kind of puts all the pieces together now, makes it clearer in my head.”
Slumping back into my seat slightly, I tilt my head to one side. “Wha-what do you mean?”
Sighing heavily, he braces his forearms onto the table. “You turned me down a lot, never outright, but in your own way, I guess. I just thought if I kept trying you might see how much I like you and give me a chance.”
I close my eyes briefly, wishing that for once Travis was the man I wanted. Opening them up as he lets go of my hand to pick up his coffee cup and take a sip.
“It’s okay, I’ve always known deep down you weren’t interested in me in that way. Fate will find its way through. The person for me is out there, and I will find her one day.”
“She sure is, Travis, and she will be the luckiest woman alive when you do finally meet.”
Smirking, then clearing his throat, he turns serious. “So, do you want to talk about? Your ex?”
I raise a brow at his question.
“If we can’t be romantically together, I at least want to be your friend, Hadley.” His cheeks turn pink, and I let out a laugh. Him saying “ romantically together ” has me laughing.
“It’s a long story. I’m sure you have better things to do than listen to my love life,” I say, then let out an exasperated huff.
Giving me a reassuring nod, he says, “I got all day, Hads.”
So, I fire into the story of Luke, his return, and the fallout.
After Travis and I had a long chat in the kitchen about Luke and me, I let him convince me to put on my best dress and meet him at Perfetto, the Italian restaurant, at seven thirty tonight. He said to bring Margo with me, and he thought it wasn’t doing me any good to stay in the house, which I know is true, then he mentioned how good the ravioli is there and how I was missing out if I didn’t try it.
Margo arrived home halfway through me telling Travis what happened the night Luke came back. She smiled and greeted Trav before frowning, then nodding at me and walking out the back door towards the laughter coming from our mum in the garden.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared about facing her again.
After knocking on her bedroom door three times, some books hit the bedroom floor, and she rushes to the door and pulls it open. With her face expressionless, she says, “You’re the worst sister in the world.”
Sniffling, I nod while looking down at the lino flooring. “I know, the worst of the worst.”
“You’re a bit of stalker too,” she adds, her tone light and teasing.
I look up, and a small smirk rests on her face. Tears run down my cheeks. “I am?” Rubbing the tears away from my cheeks, I wait for her to clear up what she meant.
After pulling the phone out from the back pocket of her jeans, she presses a few apps, then holds the phone up and shows me her screen, which displays our WhatsApp messages. Then she taps a voice note dated from the night she left for Cambridge. I’d forgotten about that one. She nods along with what I said on my voice note.
Hey Tinkerbell,
I know I suck. I’m sorry, like so fucking sorry.
I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.
You’re the best, and I don’t deserve you sometimes.
And I really do love you,
Aaaanyway,
I was looking at the hotel you’re staying in for the week.
It looks amazing.
I thought about getting in my car and driving over to you.
But I won’t, or I will if you want me too?
Let me know!
Love you, bye.
I look up, my mouth turned down, sadness crippling my body, and she eyes me up and down before shaking her head. “Told you … stalker.” Then she laughs. “You’re a psycho, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Pulling me into the hug I’ve needed from her for the last week, she tells me she loves me too.