Page 98 of Another Love, Another Time
“Melissa was justified to be worried,” I think. “This is going to be all over social media.
I continue, “Imagine my surprise when I found out I was the person who got engaged, that this party was for me.” I laugh again, but I think people are realizing this is not a joke. I see a lot of shocked faces. “I just want to make this clear: I did not ask Melissa to marry me. She took a conversation that we had and twisted my words. I was actually asking her to move out. Not that it’s anyone’s business, but if you don’t know, we are housemates. We were never in a relationship. I should have been clearer with her. That’s on me, but I definitely did not ask her to marry me, and I don’t know where that ring came from. I asked her to come out here with me to explain this mix-up, but she refused. So here I am, setting the record straight.”
I find Mackey in the crowd, and I think he’s the only one laughing right now. He thinks this shit is funny. I’m never going to hear the end of this. I don’t care, though. I just want to get this over with and get to River.
I search for Melissa’s parents. Rich and Molly may have always been absent parents, but that doesn’t make them bad people. I find them, and I can tell they’re embarrassed.
I sigh. “Rick, Molly, I apologize if this has brought embarrassment to your family. If anyone had told me about the party and the purpose before tonight, I would have been able to stop this before it happened.”
I don’t have anything else to say. I said what I wanted to. Rich is heading toward the stage. I pass the mic to him and leave for my truck. I’m intercepted by my mom and River’s mom, my dad following close behind them.
Aunt Ashley is the first to speak. “Auggie, have you spoken to River? The last time I saw her was right before Molly made the announcement. I didn’t bring my phone tonight, and your mom can’t get hold of her. I’m sure she was devastated to hear the news. Have you told her you aren’t really engaged? Oh, God. I just got her back. I can’t lose her again.”
“No, I haven’t had a chance to talk to her,” I reply. “I was trying to figure out what the hell was going on. I’m heading to her house now to see if she will let me explain.”
“You have to talk to her,” she pleads. “She can’t leave again.”
“If you think this is all on me to fix, you are wrong. You,” I point at my mother, “need to take a long, hard look in the mirror and own the role you played in this. And I’m not talking about this shitshow right now. I’m talking about when we were younger. The decisions you made have consequences.”
I think both of them are shocked. I think even my dad is shocked. I have never spoken to either of them like that. I’m done talking, so I keep walking. I get through the gate, where I’m confronted by Mackey. He’s still sporting that huge grin. I hope I don’t punch him before the night is over.
“Not right now,” I say. “Right now, I need to get to River’s house. I need to talk to her.” He drops the smile.
“Got it. You want me to come with you?” he asks.
“Yes. I may need a witness to tell her that I’m not actually engaged. Right now, she’d definitely believe you over me.”
I look at my phone, hoping I have some messages from River, but there are none. The only ones I see are from Logan.
Logan: I won’t be able to make it. I had a last minute team meeting. See you next time.
Logan: What the fuck? You are getting married to Melissa? What’s River think about that?
Logan: Oh fuck, I just saw the video someone posted online. I guess you finally opened your eyes. I won’t rub it in. Call me when you’re ready to talk.
I start my truck and direct it towards River’s house. I turn onto her street, but all the lights are off. I have a sinking feeling in my gut. I knock on the door, but there is no answer. I tried her phone a while ago, but it’s still off.
I use the key she gave me the other night, and Mackey follows me in. I go straight to her room and turn on the light. If she’s in bed, I need to wake her up so we can talk.
As soon as I turn the light on, I know she’s gone. Her bed is perfectly made. When I look in her bathroom, I see all her personal items are gone. I run to the garage to see if her car is in there, but it’s gone too.
“You fucked up, man. I’m not going to tell you I told you so—”
I interrupt him. “So don’t. Don’t say it. Don’t you think I know I should have been crystal clear with Melissa? Fuck!” I run my hands through my hair, frustrated with myself.
I pull my phone out again, try to call her again, and only hear the voicemail message. “Riv, it’s Auggie. Please call me. I need to explain.” I fall to my knees. I had her back, and I fucked it up again.
As I sit here and think of all the ways I fucked up, I see all the times I was manipulated. I remember all the times Melissa took advantage of knowing that I hated to hurt anyone’s feelings, that all I wanted to do was protect people. I remember all the times River begged me to take her side against our moms, but because I feared they knew better, I did nothing. I went along with what they wanted. I see everything my friends have tried to talk to me about. The stuff I’ve ignored.
I have a lot to atone for, and I will. River has run away, but she will be back. If I know her, she ran to Baxter, and Baxter will send her back. I let her go last time without a fight. This time, I will fight for her until there is no hope.
I’m grateful for the situation that fate put us in at work. We are partners. She only has a few more days of leave before I see her at work. If she doesn’t let me talk to her before then, I’ll be ready for her.
I turn to Mackey, “I need your help tomorrow. Whether Melissa moves her stuff or we do, she’s out of my house tomorrow. I need your locksmith’s number. I’m getting my locks changed as well.”
“It’s about damn time. You know the guys and I will be there. Just let us know what time.” He holds his hand out to help me up.
We walk back out to my truck, but I don’t know where I’m going. I don’t feel like going back to my house. I don’t want to run into Melissa. Then, I remember what I needed to talk to River about. Crap.
