Page 19 of The Pucking Girl Next Door

We both head into the kitchen and I pull out the left-over jug of hot chocolate her mom had made while Annabelle grabs two mugs, neither of us saying anything. We just work seamlessly heating the drinks. Once we're done we sit down at the table and I take it as my moment to let her know how I feel and what I want. I go to open my mouth when she says, "I know we both like each other, but I'm not sure how we can make this work? I mean my job is here. I think we should just let it go."

"Are you sure? We can do long distance, or I can even help you find a job in Dallas."

Annabelle shakes her head. "I don't want that. Hooking up was fun, but I don't see a future."

She might as well have stabbed me in the chest with a knife. I’d assumed this whole time that we were on the same page, butI guess it was just me. Swallowing down the pain, I don't even try to say anything. I just push back my chair and stand. If I respond, I'm not sure what I'll say, and I at least need to keep my friendship with Steve.

When I reach the threshold of the kitchen, Annabelles whispers, "I'm sorry."

I just keep moving, if I stop, the pain would consume me. When I reach the guest room, I don't get ready for bed. It's time to get out of here. Maybe if I'm surrounded by my emotionless house, I'll be able to deal, because she's right. This was nothing but a hookup. I'll get over it.

Grabbing my phone out of my pocket, I order a car to take me to the airport. I would rather sleep in the airport than spend another moment here. Once the site confirms my car is on the way, I violently shove my clothes and toiletries into my duffel bag. Next, I pull my hoodie over my head, and walk downstairs to put my shoes on.

Just as I'm lacing up my shoes, my phone dings to let me know the car has arrived. At that moment Steve comes down the stairs. He looks me over then asks, "Hey, your flight is tomorrow."

It wasn't a question, it was a statement. But I answer anyway, "Your sister decided she didn't want to take things forward, so I need to get out of here. I hope you understand."

Steve's body softens when he looks at me. "Of course, man. I'll see you at home."

"Yeah," I say trying to keep my emotions down, but I still hear a bit of shakiness. I just hope Steve didn't hear though something tells me he did.

Chapter 17

Annabelle

Aknock on my bedroom door wakes me up. Instead of answering, I grab my pillow and put it over my head. Last night after talking with Smith, I’d escaped to one of the guest rooms and claimed it as mine, since before I was sleeping in the same one as him. Even though I was utterly exhausted, I couldn't seem to fall asleep. I just kept seeing his face drop, how sad he was when I told him I couldn't see a future with him.

It will haunt me.

Of course, I didn't feel that way. I just couldn't see how we could make it work, living so far away and the fact that we are both workaholics. Another knock comes, even louder this time, but whoever is on the other side doesn't wait for me to answer. The door swings open, and Steve and Kayla walk in.

"Sure. Come on in, I wasn't sleeping or anything," I say sarcastically to both of them as I roll my eyes.

My brother Steve looks over at me and doesn't even bother to hide his feelings. He twists his mouth in disgust before he spews, "You look like shit."

Before I can respond by telling my brother off, my sister-in-law Kayla takes care of it first. "You can't talk to her like that," she says smacking him against his chest.

"Fine. I don't have time for this, we have a flight to catch," he huffs out.

"You promised," Kayla says to him, but it leaves me feeling very confused.

"What's going on?"

"We know you broke things off with Smith," Kayla says softly.

"Which was fucking stupid," my brother blurts out.

I sit up with that comment and narrow my eyes at him. "Well, good thing it's not your life," I yell at him.

"When you ruin the best thing in your life, it's my duty to tell you, you pain in the ass," he yells back and with that, he stomps out of the room.

I turn to look at his wife, her face softens as she pads over to the bed I'm lying in, ignoring the fact that her husband just walked out of the room. She sits down on the edge of the bed, placing her hand on my leg. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No. I don't," I huff out as I lay back down.

"Let me tell you what I know and then you can decide what you want to do."

I roll my eyes at her but still listen. I've known Kayla most of my young adult life. She got together with my brother in college, so she's been around for a while, and I respect what she has to say.

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