Page 62 of Losing Sleep
Chapter Thirty-One
The morning was slowin coming. I spent a restless night trying not to picture the heartbreak that had stolen across Grey’s face as I’d walked away. I tried counting my breaths, a bedtime yoga routine, and a meditation app, but nothing had done the trick. At one point, I’d even found myself pacing my room, afraid I’d wake up the entire cabin with my anxious energy, but all had remained silent while the loud voices in my head had tried to reason through what I should do and how to move forward from here.
Darker circles than before shadowed my eyes as I forced my hair into a messy bun and slipped on a pair of joggers that had seen better days. I stumbled into the kitchen to find Tory behind the stove, looking far too happy for my taste as she cooked breakfast. The counter was already covered in various breakfast foods, just waiting for everyone to come eat.
“Good morning,” she greeted with a wave of the spatula. “This is my happy place: up at the cabin, making food for the people I love.” She fairly vibrated with happiness, reminding me of Dot, a direct contrast to my current state of mind.
“Morning.” The words sounded strained and tired, but Tory didn’t seem to notice, beaming at me before turning back to what appeared to be enough hashbrowns to feed all the bears in Yellowstone. I retrieved a Pepsi from the fridge and sank onto one of the stools at the island, telling myself it wasn’t too early to drink a soda.
“I’m sad you’re leaving. I’m going to miss you. But it’s probably for the best that Brad and Trent won’t be spending any more quality time together.” Her mouth pulled into a frown as she spoke, trailing off as she pondered the tension between her boyfriend and her oldest friend.
“Tory, I hope you know Trent doesn’t deserve you.” I said the words without thinking. Apparently something had broken in me yesterday and now I couldn’t keep my thoughts to myself.
She shook her head. “You just haven’t gotten to know him like I have. He’s really a great guy under that gruff exterior, I promise.”
“I hope you’re right.” I decided to let it go, not wanting to leave on a sour note with Tory, though I was fairly certain Trent wasn’t hiding a gooey center beneath his tough shell.
“I’m so glad you came. I know this week was a lot,” she said, changing topics as she continued zipping around the kitchen. “What with taking time off from work, knowing Lyle was getting married, then finding out that his wedding fell apart, and then meeting and starting to fall for Grey. I can only imagine how hard it’s all been.”
It took a moment for Tory’s words to register, but when they did, I jerked up straight, banging my shins into the island with a thud. “What do you mean Lyle’s wedding fell apart?”
Tory froze, spatula in the air as she turned to face me.
“You didn’t know?”
I shook my head, still trying to clear the cobwebs in my mind enough to process this conversation. I needed the caffeine to kick in faster.
“It’s all over social media. Emily called the wedding off the day of, something about another guy and deciding she wanted something different from a life with Lyle.” Tory shrugged, as if finding out one’s ex-boyfriend had been jilted at the altar was an everyday occurrence. “She went on their honeymoon and has been posting pictures of beaches and the ocean for days.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I sat in shock, trying to process everything.
“I figured you already knew and didn’t want to discuss it. Besides, what does it matter? You’re over Lyle anyway.”
Tory continued to babble, but I tuned her out, processing her news. Did I care that Lyle was free, that Emily had left him? No. The answer surprised me. I thought I would feel something, validation maybe, a bit of relief. Instead, I felt tired as I finally accepted that I was giving Lyle even more of my time that he didn’t deserve.
“After seeing you with Grey, though…honestly, Audrey, how can you leave now?”
Hearing Grey’s name grabbed my attention, bringing me back to the moment as Tory turned off the burner and deposited a mountain of hashbrowns on the counter.
“Things were going so well! I know yesterday scared you, but whatever happened, which you will explain to me soon”—she paused, giving me an arched eyebrow that would have made her mom proud—“can be worked out. Give Grey—give happiness—a chance!”
“I think you’re reading too much into me and Grey.” I tried to dodge her probing look, reaching for a piece of bacon to give my hands something to do.
Tory shook her head. “You forget I know you. I’ve seen you in a relationship and I’ve seen you completely heartbroken. This is the most romantic interest I’ve seen you exhibit in a long time. How can you just let it go?”
She settled onto the stool across from me, forcing me to look at her.
“Tory, you don’t know all the factors. There are so many reasons Grey and I will never work. He has one foot out the door and—”
“Grey is one of the best men I know. If he wasn’t firmly a friend, I’d give you a run for your money. Which is why I can say with full confidence that Grey isn’t the one half out the door in this relationship. Don’t go blaming this on him. The decision to leave is all you. I just hope you don’t regret it.” Tory gave my hand a squeeze before walking to the top of the stairs and calling down to the group that breakfast was ready.
My stomach churned as I pondered her words. Could Tory be right? And what did it mean for me and Grey if she was?
Breakfast passed in a blur as I did my best to avoid eye contact with Grey, who Tory had somehow managed to sit directly across from me. Instead, I attempted to listen to Kylie as she talked about work and an upcoming business trip to St. Louis.
When the last dish was washed and all the food put away, I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful to escape into Brad’s car and the four-hour drive ahead. It would lack a running dialogue about fast food restaurants and classic rock, but it would also beinfinitely safer than another minute in this cabin with the bison-stampede of emotions I was feeling.
I loaded my duffle bag into Brad’s trunk, keeping my backpack slung over one shoulder, and turned, wrapping Tory in a hug.
