Page 99 of Another Love, Another Time
“Hey, I’ll drop you off at your truck,” I say. “I have to head to work for a little bit. I forgot about something.”
Chapter 32
River
Halfway through my flight, after I’ve had time to be with my thoughts, I regret my decision to fly to see Baxter. It doesn’t make sense. Auggie told me he asked Melissa to move out. So, what happened from the time he asked to tonight?
The more I think about it, the more I see this has Melissa written all over it. There was nothing on the invitation about an engagement party. I know if Auggie proposed to her, she would have had that shit all over Instagram and Facebook, wanting everyone to know. Why surprise everyone?
I think back to Auggie’s face. He looked like he didn’t know what was going on. I rub my hands down my face. How is this even my life? I should have just called Baxter instead of catching a flight. This was so over the top. In less than twenty-four hours, I have to hop back on a plane to come home. At least I’ll be able to talk this through before I go back.
~~
My flight lands a little bit early, and I call Baxter to let him know that I landed. He tells me he’s about fifteen minutes out. I use the restroom as soon as I get off the plane. Thank God there’s not a long line, since I about peed my pants.
I didn’t check any bags, so I head straight to where Baxter will pick me up. By the time I make it down, I only have to wait a few minutes before I see him drive up. I open the back door, throwmy bag in, and hop in the passenger seat. He takes off. I lean my head back against the headrest and close my eyes.
Baxter lets me gather my thoughts before he starts. “Not that I’m not happy you wanted to see me again so soon, but this is unplanned. Something must have happened.”
I roll my head to look at him. “I told you about my aunt’s party?”
“Yeah. Guessing that didn’t go well since you’re here?”
“Well, much to my surprise, it was an engagement party.” His bros furrow while I pause. “For Melissa and Auggie.”
“No fucking way!”
“Yes, fucking way,” I volley back.
“Riv, there’s got to be more to the story. If I thought for one second he wasn’t one hundred percent totally in love with you, I would be joining you on that flight tomorrow to kick his ass. I get paid to tell if someone is lying. When I grilled him, there was no doubt where he stood. This just doesn’t make any sense. Didn’t you say he asked her to move out?”
I nod. It makes me feel better, knowing Baxter is questioning it as well. I thought I was going crazy.
“I know he has a long way to go to prove to you that he’s worth your time, but I can’t imagine after I spoke with him that he would do something like this. Did you even stick around long enough to talk with him?”
I groan. “No. I just reacted. I was halfway here before I regretted that decision.”
“River, you know I love you, but you have to stop running. That’s why you moved back, remember? You’re not a kid anymore. You need to fight your own battles, and you can’t do it a flight away.You need to learn how to communicate with Auggie. Be straight with the guy. Tell him what you need. Either way, you need to stand up for yourself, and that includes having conversations with Auggie and the parent. I don’t believe their intentions were in the wrong place; I just think they focused on the wrong things. You were the casualty, but they need to know that what they did affected you. They need to know everything.”
“I know you’re right. I just had a moment. I hate her so much. After everything she’s done, I just can’t believe she’s still getting away with this shit.”
“Is she? Have you even spoken with him since you left?”
“No,” I say guiltily. “He’s left a crap-ton of messages, but I haven’t listened to or read any of them.”
He grunts in acknowledgment. “How about you text everyone that you’re safe, and you’ll be home tomorrow. If I know you, you probably just took off and turned off your phone.”
I give him a look. He knows he’s right.
He continues, “Hurry up, and then we can visit with my mom. When she heard you were coming back, she made your favorite meal.”
I sigh. “She didn’t have to do that. It’s really late.”
“I told her, but do you think I can get my mom to listen to me?”
I laugh, only because I know when his mom has her mind made up, there’s no changing it. I pull my phone from my pocket. When I landed and turned my phone back on, I silenced all the messages coming through. Now, I see I have multiple texts and voicemails from Auggie, a few from my mom, one from Logan, and one from Mackey. I pull up the one from my mom first.
Mom: Where’d you go? Nobody can get hold of you.
