Page 35 of Until I Found You
Thirteen
Halle
I hardly spoke to Graham the rest of our trip to Chicago. Or rather, I did my best to avoid him, which wasn’t easy to do.
When I woke up the next morning, it was like the events from the last night played over and over on repeat in my head. Ever since he waltzed back into town looking like sex on a stick, I’ve fought against the urge to let it go one step further. I know Graham, I see the way he’s holding himself back when he’s around me. That night was a perfect example.
I just threw myself at him. I practically begged him like a cat in heat. He wouldn't even let me touch him, which is kind of mortifying when I think about it. I handled my embarrassment in the best way I knew how; I sunk my head under the comforter and sulked.
When I finally pulled myself out of bed, I promised myself not to think about it again. I reminded myself of the past; the way it hurt when he threw us away, the pain I felt when he ignored my attempts to talk to him after he left town, the way he acts as if all the time we spent together never happened. I let it be the reminder I need that going down this road again will only lead to heartache. Instead, I am going to put my focus on where it needs to be, which is on my family, friendships, and my career. One of my best friends is about to have her big day. No one deserves love more than Ellie and seeing the way Callum loves her and cares for her is another reminder of why I need to focus on the present.
The week leading up to the wedding has been a whirlwind. I didn’t realize all the last-minute details that go into preparing. Now I know why Kinsley has been marching around with a damn clipboard, because if anyone else was left to planning, it would’ve been mass chaos.
After a short day at the salon, Kinsley and I drove together to Callum and Ellie’s house for the rehearsal before meeting up with everyone for dinner. We had a girls’ night planned with Ellie and Brea. You know, traditions and all where the bride is not supposed to see her groom.
“Alright, Callum, you can let us have her for one night. After tonight, you’ll have her all to yourself,” Kinsley says, as she steps around to the back of Ellie’s car.
Callum presses his hands against the roof of the car, trapping Ellie in. Leaning forward, he presses a kiss against her lips as she wraps her arms around him, pulling him closer.
“Good lord, she’s going to get pregnant right here in front of all of us,” I jest, although it’s highly possible. They haven’t been able to keep their hands off each other all night. If we don’t run off with her now, we’re going to have a tough time separating them.
Callum growls, as he playfully kisses her cheek and down her neck, banding his arms around her, not wanting to let her go. Ellie laughs gleefully as I roll my eyes, looking over at Kinsley as I playfully stick my finger in my mouth like I’m gagging.
“Uhh, I need some wine for all this…” I motion my hands at them. “Love and stuff. I’m going to stop by Hudson’s and grab some wine and I’ll meet you guys and the lovebird back at our place.”
Kinsley nods as Brea laughs, waving back. It’s going to be a few minutes before they’re able to pull Ellie away from Callum and into the car. It’s best for all of us that I get a head start.
Kinsley’s grandpa owns a grocery store in Arbor Creek, which happens to be where Ellie worked when she moved here last year. It’s famously named after him, Hudson’s. Since we have to drive further out of town to go to a bigger store, it makes it the perfect place to stop for nights like tonight.
I pull into the parking lot and slip into one of the spots out front. Clicking the lock on my door, I’m only able to get two steps in front of me before a car races into the parking lot cutting me off.
“What the hell?” I mutter, stopping myself before I let out a string of swear words.
It’s not because I suddenly remember my manners, unlike the rude asshole who just about hit me. No, it’s actually the exact opposite. I’d love to lay into the piece of shit standing in front of me, I just know better not to.
It’s been a few weeks since I last saw Marc Krate outside of Brodie’s. I honestly fully expected him to steer clear of me when he realized not only was Graham back in town, but he was there at Brodie’s with me that night.
“That’s not a nice way to greet someone, Halle,” he says. His lip sticks out from the tobacco stuffed inside his lip. He spits, narrowly missing my foot in the process.
Squinting my eyes at him, I press my lips into a thin line in an attempt to keep me from firing off at the mouth.
Holding onto the strap of my purse, I adjust it on my shoulder as my eyes glance around me. I’m not some damsel in distress, but I get an overwhelming sense of uneasiness around this prick. The sooner I can wrap this up, the better.
“Can I help you with something?”
The words come out sharply. He’s grating on my nerves and I really have no patience for dealing with him right now. Or ever.
“That’s so kind of you to ask. Actually, you can,” he states, leaning forward as he looks around the parking lot.
The knot in my stomach tightens. Squeezing my hand tighter around the leather strap, I contemplate climbing back in my car. He’s blocking me in now though. There’s no way out of here without jumping the parking block in front of my car, which would likely do some damage.
“Spit it out,” I reply curtly.
The smile on his face turns sinister, and I immediately wish I would’ve just shut up.
“You see that boyfriend of yours lately?”
It dawns on me the irony in his question. Surely if he thought Graham was still my boyfriend, he’d know the answer. After the threat he gave him last time he came around, I wonder why he’d be asking me this of all questions.
