Page 17 of Baby, It's You
“I don’t ever want to forget you,” she says, with tears in her eyes.
I will never tell her that there are many days where she already has.
“Are you kidding me?” I respond playfully. “I won’t let you forget me. I will harass you until you remember. Don’t you worry!”
I give her a smile.
She grins back. “Okay, dear, thanks for coming to see me. I love you.”
I hug her and head towards the door, turning back for one last look to see her still watching me. I wave again. “I’ll come see you next day I'm off. I promise.”
With that, I walk out to the parking lot and hold back the tears until I shut my car door.
Hugging myself, I hold in a sob, wishing Jane never got sick. My time with her is slipping through my fingers and I’m terrified.
After a moment, I lay my head on my steering wheel, accepting the fact that this is the way our relationship will be. Her slowly getting worse and me watching it happen.
Suddenly, I hear my phone vibrating and lift my head up. I grab it out of my tote and click on the screen to see two text notifications from Rob.
I know why Tripp had that man here.
He just told me he’s going to sell the bar.
MOTHERF—
Chapter 14
Hunter
Ipark in front of an older-looking apartment complex with a beige stucco exterior and dated roofing. Each unit is only two stories high but there must be at least 150 apartments in this area alone. It looks like it's about to rain and the wind is picking up by the minute, so I hope I can load everything up before I get caught in the storm.
I walk up to the apartment with the number that Dennis gave me and knock on the door. It swings open almost immediately and a petite, muscular girl stands in the doorway, looking extremely confused.
“Who are you?” she asks me, her arms crossing skeptically.
I clear my throat and stammer, “I’m Dennis’s cousin. He asked me to come grab his stuff from you. I’m letting him crash on my couch, temporarily…so here I am…to get it.” I rub at the back of my neck, feeling extremely awkward.
She smacks her hands down at her sides and lets out a huff of breath. “This is actually insane. How does my boyfriend—ex-boyfriend,” she corrects herself, “of four years have acousinthat lives in the same town, and I had no idea?” She points her finger at me accusingly. “That piece of shit never told me anything. He probably lived a double life the whole time.”
Not knowing how to respond, but feeling responsible for his bad actions, I say, “I’m sorry. I haven’t talked to him in years, seriously.” I continue, feeling like I need to explain myself, “I’m only letting him stay a few days. I would just feel bad leaving him homeless when I have an extra room at my place.” I shrug slightly.
“Let him be homeless. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes,” she deadpans. “Anyway, I’m Ivy.”
“Hun—” I reach forward and shake her hand, but she cuts me off before I can even finish saying my name.
“You’re super-hot. No wonder why Dennis never mentioned you.” She shakes my hand back.
I instantly flush. I always feel uncomfortable when I get complimented. Clearing my throat I respond, “Thank you,” and break eye contact. I just want to grab his stuff before it starts raining and I'm mentally counting down the seconds till this awkward exchange ends.
“I have the best idea,” she says, leaning forward. “How about we go to my room and get a littlerevengeon Dennis, eh?” She winks at me suggestively. Now I know I’m redder than a tomato. I just stand there in shock.
After a few seconds that feel like an eternity, Ivy starts laughing hysterically. She smacks me on the chest, playfully. “I’m kidding, relax! I would literally never hook up with someone related to Dennis. I’m not asking for bad karma in life.”
“Oh, okay.” I force a small chuckle in return, relieved that she was just messing with me.
She gives me quizzical look. “I do have a super-hot best friend, though. I should introduce you.” Then she taps her finger to her lips in thought.
I shift my weight from one foot to the other. “That’s kind but no, thank you. I’m not really dating right now.”
