Page 91 of Loathe at First Sight

When I hang up the phone, I pull over to the side of the road to park so that I’m out of the way. Once I shut the car off, I bang my fists against the steering wheel and let out an angry scream.

I could call Jack and have him tow me back to the shop, but honestly, right now, I don’t feel like dealing with this car. I have too much other shit on my mind.

But I’m not far from the shop, so I decide to walk.

I step out into the rain, which of course, seems to be falling harder now that I’m not shielded by my car. When a crack of thunder fills the air, I can’t help but laugh.

And not just a small giggle.

I start full-on belly laughing.

What else can I do about the situation that I’ve found myself in?

I’m about to have no job, no money, no place to live, and apparently, no car…again.

Maybe God hates me.

Or maybe I’ve just had a really shitty year.

But isn’t that why they coined the phrase, “Shit happens”?

Ever since the fallout with my company happened, I’ve been taking every minor inconvenience as a sign of some invisible force trying to ruin my life. I’ve taken in all of the anger and sorrow and let it fester within me instead of just letting it roll off my back.

Moving back to Lilly Leaf Falls wasn’t on the Bingo card of my life, but maybe I should be grateful that I had somewhere to come to. I have parents who would do anything to help me and siblings who still want to do things like have sleepovers.

And I have a man who is waiting for me to call to spend time together. A man who once irritated my soul but now occupies my thoughts.

It’s taking me over a fucking year to get to the point where I can laugh about my car breaking down rather than have a complete meltdown over it.

But here I am. Cracking up in the middle of the street.

Everyone goes through periods in their lives where things aren’t the way that they want. In the middle of a metaphorical storm, I have just waded in the water, standing still and waiting for it to pass rather than moving forward in an attempt to get to a place with sunny skies.

So now, I will wade through the literal storm and make my way to go see Jack.

Fuck the rest.

It can wait until tomorrow.

thirty-one

Are you going to make me?

Jack

Ihear the front door of the shop chime, and I’m now kicking myself for not remembering to lock it earlier. Hopefully, whoever it is has something that can wait until tomorrow.

I’m finally about finished with paperwork, and I’m ready to get the hell out of here.

I move the stack of papers off of my desk just as I look up to see Liz walking into my office.

“Hey, gorgeous,” I greet. When I take the time to look at her, I see that she’s soaking wet. “What the hell happened to you?”

“I walked here,” she says, making her way over to me.

“Why?”

I watch as she kicks her shoes off and then starts messing with the button on her jeans. “My car broke down.”

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