Page 11 of Xavier

My thoughts turn to Austin and our relationship.

It started out so well. We saw each other every day. We ate lunch and dinner together or with our families. And we had several date nights a week.

I felt good about us. We were young, in love, and happy, but that changed once I started working for the police department.

I wasn’t always available for his every whim. He grew impatient, and sometimes even irate. I guess that’s when he started seeing Candace.

I was a fool to think we were getting back on track.

The nurse comes back in. Her gaze lingers on my face for a few extra moments. “How are you feeling?”

I offer her a small smile. “Better. Thank you for the juice.”

“That’s what we are here for. How are you doing with the breakup?”

Unfortunately, this is one huge drawback of living in a small town. Everyone knows everyone’s business. And a breakup between the mayor’s daughter and her longtime boyfriend is the juiciest gossip around.

Especially when everyone thought wedding bells were in the future.

“I’m trying to heal and move on. This is just one thing I needed to do first.” And she’s the only one that knows exactly why I’m here.

She pats my legs in a motherly manner. “You’ll find someone when you least expect it.”

My smile grows. “That’s what Mom said yesterday.”

“That’s because it’s the truth. True love isn’t what all fairytales make it out to be. Sure, some people find love on the first or second try, but there are still bumps in the road.”

I take the last few sips of my juice as she continues.

“Even Cinderella had to fight for the love of her life. It won’t be easy, as true love rarely is, but you’ll find someone you can’t live without, and then you’ll just know.”

“Thank you. Hopefully, it won’t be as dramatic as Mom depicted yesterday.”

She chuckles. “Pie will help. It always helps. If it doesn’t, then you aren’t eating enough of it.”

I laugh as I stand and throw the juice bottle in the trash can.

She walks with me out to the lobby. “I’ll call you when we have the results in a few days.”

“Thank you. For everything.”

She gives me a nod before turning around and heading back around the counter.

I leave the health department more confident than I was last night. Maybe I am being overly cautious. Maybe Austin and I can go our separate ways with no problems.

Unfortunately, Candace’s mom still works for my dad, so I’ll still have to see her and talk to her at town events, but maybe I’ll get lucky and I won’t have to see the two of them together.

I drive around town aimlessly, not knowing where to go.

It’s rare to be off work on a Monday, but I needed today as a mental health day. Not to mention the doctor’s visit.

Of course, everyone at the station heard about the breakup, so they were understanding.

They are probably gossiping about me right now, and God knows what the rumor mill is stirring up.

I’ve been on the other end of this sort of situation plenty of times before, and the gossipers always do more harm than good.

But I’m going to be strong and ignore all of that. For today, at least.

---