28. Casey
Casey
Y ou ever have one of those days where everything that could possibly go wrong does?
Well, that’s the day I’m having. I dropped a whole tray of glasses full of sweet tea, and then sliced my finger on a shard.
Then, immediately after I cleaned up that mess, a kid got sick and puked in one of the booths.
Could this day get any worse?
The bell on the door chimes, and in walks Caleb, Brady, and Logan. Yes. Yes, it absolutely can get worse.
I’ve been a mess since the whole storage room debacle.
I want to tell Derek what happened. Get it off my chest and get rid of this guilt I’m feeling.
But I’m afraid if I do that, he’ll end things, and I won’t have him as a buffer between Caleb and me.
Selfish. I know. He deserves so much better.
Thing is, so do I. I want a happy ending just like every other girl I know.
Derek can give me that, for the most part.
“If you want something other than your usual, tough luck. I’ve had a shit day, and seeing the three of you walk in here only makes it shitter.”
Logan arches his eyebrows and mumbles that he’ll take his usual. Brady throws his arm around me, getting my shirt all sweaty.
“Case, you have to learn to ease into bitch mode,” he teases and then looks to Caleb. “Save me a seat, sweetie. Be right back.”
Caleb rolls his eyes, a smirk playing at his lips. “The usual is fine with me.”
It’s been a few days since they’ve come into Jack’s. That’s because they’re working on the renovation at Derek’s house. My ex is renovating my boyfriend’s house. Awkward. Needless to say, I haven’t seen much of Derek this week either.
“Me too,” Brady says, rejoining us. “Man, I’ve missed Jack’s.”
I head toward the kitchen, overhearing their conversation.
“I hate driving to Redbud, but I’m happy that douche added some more work for us. You think it’ll cover us until our next job?” Logan asks.
“It should,” Brady answers. “Who knows? He may add another room before this is all said and done.”
I put their order in and walk back over to their table. “Another room?”
Caleb grunts. “Yeah, another room. A fucking nursery. You know, for when you get married and have your 2.5 kids.”
“Did he say that?”
“He’s got it all planned out for you. After you graduate, that is. Can’t have an uneducated wife.”
Rather than reply, I walk off. What am I supposed to say? Clearly, it bothers Caleb. I’ve sort of sat back and let Derek make all the renovation plans. Although we haven’t talked marriage, I know he wants that with me. Why should it bother me that it’s gotten under Caleb’s skin?
Because I don’t love Derek, that’s why. I thought I could make it work with him. Thought I could fake it till I make it sort of thing. But he wants more than I do. And I don’t ever see myself giving that to him.
It’s time I told Derek the truth. I’m still in love with Caleb. Always have been. Always will be. I just don’t know where that leaves me.
Damaged and alone. That’s where.