Page 125 of Summertime Friends

I’m still in disbelief that she showed up at brunch. Cal said he didn’t know she was coming. I tried to get more information out of him, asking if she talked to him this morning. He wouldn’t spill, which I respected. Was quite cross at first, but I understand now. His friendship with her is much like that of siblings, I realize.

I didn’t mean what I said.

I didn’t, even if it’s hard to believe. I saw so much red that anger took over me. It was in the pilot seat of my brain, and steered it to an unknown destination.

Like the valet currently. Where is my car?

I have to get to Emerson. I have to talk to her.

They are taking forever. I should have called a taxi, or Uber, or ran.

I can’t lose her.

Last night didn’t even feel like losing her. It felt like a momentary pause for her to sort out her shit, and then we could hit play again, and damn it, she was coming to hit play.

I messed up.

I curse at myself as Cal drives me to my place. He didn’t trust my state to be behind the wheel.

Three steps at a time, I sprint up the stairs of my building. There was no patience for the lift today. Cal is right behind me.

“Emerson!” I croak out as I throw open the door.

Inside my flat, I find her bags gone. The key I gave her on the coffee table.

I shouldn’t have packed them. If I hadn’t, she’d be upstairs right now packing. Or maybe she is up there now?

I sprint up the stairs, opening the door to my room, praying she’s there.

“Emerson?”

No response. I check every room. She’s not here.

Back downstairs, I lean against the wall, staring at the spot where her bags were sitting.

She had been here.

She had come to me and left.

She had come to my place and left.

She left. Emerson left.

She’s gone.

Emerson’s gone.

I slink down the wall. My knees come up in front of me, my head falls into them, and I cry. A flood of waterworks explodes from me, and I don’t want them to stop. Callum sits next to me.

“Promise me,” I say to Cal.

“Yeah?”

“Promise me you’ll stay friends with her,” I request.

Callum nods, and we return to silence. We sit there for an hour before George joins us, positioning himself on my other side.

Probably sounds messed up, but I want to remember this moment. Learn from my mistakes and when to shut my fucking mouth.

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