Chapter 33
Maren
“So, what are you doing today?” Sadie’s voice is a little muffled by the noises around me as I try to hear her through my earbud.
“Right now, I’m walking to the bagel shop around the corner from my apartment. Then, I’m going to the gym to work out, and then I’m going sight seeing. I’ve been here a month, and there’s still so much I haven’t seen.”
“It feels like you’ve been there ten years.” I can hear the whine in her voice.
“I know, but you’re coming to visit soon.” I offer it as a shallow consolation, because after spending every day with someone, it’s hard to only talk on the phone.
“What kind of bagel are you getting today?” she asks, and I know it’s her favorite question of the day.
“You make it sound like I eat these every day.”
“You do.” She teases.
She’s right, I’m a creature of habit.
“They have this chocolate chip schmear I’ve been dying to try, so I’ll probably get that on a plain bagel. Toasted, of course. And a coffee.”
“Ok, if it’s good, that’s the one I’m getting while I’m there. Why don’t we have a bagel place here?”
“Because Mango Bay is all about the baseball puns for names. What are they going to call it?”
“The Yeast League?” She laughs.
“Oh, what about Glove and Dough?”
“Ok, I really like that one, so I repeat my question, why don’t we have a bagel place here?”
“You know what, we can have as many bagels as we want when you come to visit,” I reassure her. “I’ve gotta go, babe. I’m about to order.”
“Ok. Have a great day!”
We hang up, and I’m sad for a second. Being away from her has been really hard. Moving to a new city and getting only sympathy invites everywhere is not as fun as it sounds. The only people I know are from work, and most of them commute.
As if summoned from thin air, a voice behind me startles me out of my thoughts. “Mare.”
I turn around and smile at the familiar man behind me in line. “Hi.”
The relief that washes over me at this moment is surreal. I didn’t realize how hungry I was for company.
“What are you up to today?” Becks’ voice is soft and inviting, just what I need today. We met a few times at work, but he usually works front of house, so I don’t really see him much.
He’s cute.
It’s Monday, and Monday’s are the hardest. Everyone is starting their work week, but I go in late because Monday’s dark day in the theatre world. All meetings, short rehearsals, and rest, so I only go in for a few hours in the afternoon.
“Just going to the gym and then doing touristy things. There is so much I haven’t seen.”
“Want company? I heard about a really fun smash room just over the Brooklyn Bridge. You could see Brooklyn and get a workout in.” His smile is shiny and warm, but his words make my stomach curl.
I was supposed to go to a smash room with Ozzie, but instead I’m here. With Becks.
He never called, never texted, not even to tell me to fuck off. That would have been less painful. It leaves me feeling nothing but confused. He could have texted back a middle finger emoji. Anything would be better than radio silence.
“Yeah. That sounds perfect. I got ready for the gym, so after we eat—I’m assuming you’re joining me, because it would be awkward if you didn’t—” I smile, feeling as awkward as I sound, “I have to change.”
I finish my sentence even more awkward than I look, but fuck it. I have to move on, Ozzie left me that letter and then didn’t bother to respond when I called. If he thought we’d work out, he’d have at least texted. It’s been a fucking month.
Becks chuckles, and it’s lighter than I’m used to. It’s brighter and fun, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. But, I push that thought aside and give him my full attention.
“Yeah, I’m joining you.” He places his hand on the small of my back, and it actually feels nice. He leaves it there as he walks beside me to the nearest open table.
We talk and laugh, and he tells me all of the best places to eat in the city—and the worst. We get lost in conversation, and almost forget to check the time. It’s been almost two hours.
“I should go change so we have time for our adventure before we both have to be at work,” I suggest.
“Yeah, you should. I’ll head home and change too, so we can go straight to work after. Meet you back here in 30?”
He is so fucking cute.
My day with Becks was fun. It was nice, not having any unexplained emotions floating around that I had to decipher.
So why am I laying in bed scrolling social media looking for any evidence that Ozzie’s miserable?
A video comes up on Jax’s Moonshot page.
They all have their Mango Bay profile, and then their private one.
This is on his official page, so I take the things I see with a grain of salt.
The videos on here are designed to draw in fans.
I know that, and still, I’m shocked by the bright look in Ozzie’s eyes.
I play the video over and over again, the sting getting sharper as the phone pans around Jax and reveals a happy—yet typically grumpy eyed—Ozzie as they do the “Beez In the Trap” trend.
Turns out algorithms are a predictive little thing; the next video on my feed has him in it too…
only this time he’s drunk, happy, and Pips is dancing in the background.
He’s doing fine without me.