Chapter Eight Shelby
Men suck. Yeah, yeah, not all men. But apparently men I decide to have sex with suck.
I thought Finn was different, but here I am, driving away with a broken heart and knowing that, yet again, I’m wrong.
I’m proud of myself for not looking at him in my rearview mirror as I drive out of the refuge after picking up my car.
Refuge. Is there a more perfect word for that place?
Not only is it a safe haven for birds and wildlife, but for a brief moment, it was a safe haven for me.
I pull into WaWa to get gas and grab something to drink.
By some miracle, I have Finn’s ball cap with me, so I pull it low over my face and hope no one notices me.
For once, luck is on my side because I manage to run in, get an iced tea and bag of chips, and make it back to my car without anyone paying attention.
I drive aimlessly. I know the area in general from childhood, but I don’t have a specific destination in mind.
My grandparents’ house in Ocean City was sold when we settled their estates.
The reason I chose the resort for the wedding, at my own expense, was because that’s where my parents and grandparents were married.
But I can’t go back there. I grew up outside of Philly, but I don’t have any ties otherwise.
I’m on autopilot when I pull into the driveway of a ranch home—another familiar memory from my past. It belongs to my college roommate’s late grandmother.
We were roommates freshman year, and I came home with her on weekends.
We had fun, and this was a safe place where I could be myself.
Her grandmother passed away our junior year, so I’m in a stranger’s driveway.
This is going to get me on TMZ. Social media influencer has mental breakdown in stranger’s driveway. Film at eleven.
I’m about to restart my car and leave when there’s a tap on my window. I’m startled and let out a short scream. Startle turns to shock when I realize it’s Daphne, the former roommate whose grandmother used to own this house. She still lives here?
“Shelby? Are you okay?” she asks when I lower my window. Her brown eyes shine with concern.
“Hey, Daphne, yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
“Because you’re crying. I thought maybe you were a lost tourist, so I came out to see what was up.”
“Not a tourist.”
“I see that. I also see...um... It looks like you could use a friend. Do you want to come in and talk?”
I look around the neighborhood. No one seems to be following me. I’d actually love to talk with someone, and I can trust Daphne. We were never best friends. She’s too good of a person to qualify for that position, but we were always genuine friends.
I really do want to talk to someone, and Daphne is perfect.
She doesn’t know anyone else involved, and she’s always been forthright.
She’ll tell me, kindly, if I’m being ridiculous.
I follow her into her house. Her yard is tidy, and the house is older but cared for.
I bring my iced tea in with me, and she pours herself a glass of soda before joining me on the sofa.
The decor is dated but clean. The only modern touches are the TV and framed pictures of a dark-haired man that went to college with us.
“Are you and Logan dating?” I ask, picking up a frame with Logan in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Daphne’s fair cheeks flush hot pink. “Oh, no. We’re just best friends. He’s a travel photographer so he sends me pictures of where he’s at. He stays here when he’s in the States.”
She sips her drink and clears her throat. “Um...what about you? I saw your post yesterday. Are you okay?”
I tell her everything: how Finn and I originally met, my friendship with Ivy and relationship with Konner, the failed wedding yesterday, and the roller coaster of today. She hands me tissues when I cry and rubs my back but doesn’t interrupt.
“Wow. Okay. That’s a lot,” she says when I’ve been quiet for a while. “Have you been online today?”
When I shake my head, she grabs her laptop from the coffee table and opens it up.
She quickly navigates to a celebrity news blog with the headline, “Plot Twist!” and pictures of Konner and Ivy getting married at what would have been our wedding yesterday.
I don’t think it’s legal because they would have to have a marriage license, but I don’t even care.
They provided a statement saying they are sorry for any hurt or embarrassment I may be experiencing but they can’t help how they feel about each other, and they love me and hope we can all still be friends.
I can’t help but laugh. Just swap out brides like you would pitchers at a ball game. Whatever.
“Good for them.” I turn off my phone and toss it to the cushion beside me. “I’d rather they be together than out ruining the lives of innocent people. Keep the poison between them.”
“Poison Ivy, perfect,” Daphne says with a giggle. Then, more seriously, she adds, “You’re staying here tonight. You’re welcome to stay however long you need to. Logan won’t be home until the holidays.”
Fresh tears spring to my eyes, this time in gratitude.
Daphne is a true friend. The past few years, I’ve been surrounded by people claiming to be my friends so they can benefit from my followers or boost their social media profiles.
I forgot what genuine friendship was like.
I’m in awe of Daphne’s kindness and generosity.
This is the caliber of people I want in my life moving forward.
Now it’s Daphne’s turn to sigh. “If you’re the first person he’s cared for since Ivy, he probably had some insecurities, and your question, no matter how innocently you meant it, triggered him.
Not making excuses for him at all because he’s a grown man who can use his words, but I’m betting once he has a chance to calm down, he’s going to be heartbroken. ”
Shame washes over me. “I always say the wrong thing. But if I’d known what happened between him and Ivy...if I’d known he had no idea Ivy and I were friends...I would never have asked him that.”
Daphne hugs me as I sob. Maybe we could have fixed things if I had stayed.
“What do I do?” I whisper. “I need to fix this. Or at least settle it.”
Daphne releases me and leans back, gripping my shoulders gently.
“That’s something to deal with tomorrow after you’ve had time to calm down.
Tonight, we’re going to eat ice cream, watch some Murder, She Wrote, and sleep.
I have tomorrow off for an appointment in the morning.
After that, we can talk about what you could do next—if you want.
Or not.” She squeezes my hand. “Shelby, it’s not all on you to fix this.
He isn’t blameless. He’s a grown-up who needs to learn to deal with his traumas without hurting others.
Yeah, not the best time for your question, but as humans, we have questions.
And if you’re thinking about a future with someone, and children, and those kinds of things, you need to know what you’re getting into.
The only shifter I really know is Logan, and we’ve never really discussed the shifter thing because I don’t know what to ask and not be insulting.
It’s awkward, but I think we deserve a little grace too.
It’s not like we grew up familiar with this stuff. "
I didn’t realize a night with a true friend was what my soul had been missing. Everything will work out. Or it won’t. There’s a lot I need to change about my life, but I’m going to be okay. I have a friend. I can build from there.