Page 53 of The Forever Formula
I was only sure I didn’t know anything anymore. All my worst thoughts and my worst fears, they played on a loop in my mind, all at once.
My legs moved without me even thinking. I grabbed the envelope that had been sitting on the front seat of my truck and stomped to the door. I tucked it in the screen.
I turned to walk away, but then I was too mad. I needed her to know I saw. I needed her to feel as shitty as I felt.
Was she sleeping with him? Was she agreeing to marry him?
The idea of Rachel with anyone else sent a new wave of rage coursing through my veins.
I knocked twice on the door and then walked fast back to the truck. I slammed the door as hard as I could, which wasn’t nearly as satisfying as I’d hoped. Then I peeled out of the driveway, gravel flinging as my tires carried me away.
23
RUNNING AWAY
Noah
As I sped away from Rachel’s, I headed straight to the only place that made sense to go, and I called Austen on the way.
“Talk to me,” he said, sounding happy with his stupid life completely intact.
“We’re going to Velma’s,” I said in a dead tone.
“Whoa, you okay?” he asked, his tone switching instantly to worry.
“Yes. I mean, no. I mean, shut the hell up and get in the truck already. I’m in front of your cabin.” I flashed the lights in emphasis.
“Give me five,” he said, and we ended the call.
A few minutes later, he came outside and slid in the passenger seat. “You going to tell me what happened, or am I going to guess?”
“Neither,” I barked out and sped away.
He fastened his seat belt and grabbed the door handle. “That’s cool. Just slow down a little so we don’t die.”
I eased off the gas and exhaled sharply.
We pulled up to Velma’s Tavern and headed inside without another word. I slumped into the back booth, and Austen brought over two beers.
We sipped for a while in silence while I tried to focus on anything but my thoughts ... the sound of people laughing at the next table over, the pool balls clacking against one another, the rockabilly playing from the radio. None of it was working.
Had I really lost my shot? Did some guy just swoop in and steal Rachel out from under me?
This was history repeating itself.
Me falling for her, only for it to end abruptly and fill me with shame and emptiness. I mean, it wasn’t exactly the same. I knew that. But it felt the same. That feeling of loss, of Rachel flitting away without giving me a second thought.
Finally, Austen cut off my thoughts with a question. “This is about Rachel then?” he asked pointedly.
I lowered my eyes at him.
He nodded, his lips in a tight line. “So, itisabout Rachel. Listen, man, I tried to warn you about her.”
“Don’t,” I said, taking a long gulp of the almost finished beer.
“You want another?” he asked.
I nodded, and he stood up and returned quickly with two more.
