Page 20 of The Secrets We Keep

“Ya… you’re right. Thanks for this. I needed to hear it.”

It’s true. I’m glad we have found each other and she has pushed her way past my wall. Our food arrives and we eat in silence. I’m grateful for it too. My head is a rollercoaster of emotions and thoughts.

As we finish dinner I tell Jessy, “Thank you again for letting me get this off my chest.”

“No problem, just remember, Landon either wants you or he doesn’t. No ifs ands or buts about it. You hear me?”

Jessy smirks and lifts an eyebrow at me. I laugh at her, nod my head in agreement. We hug goodbye and I make my way to my car to head for home.

Arriving home a little past seven has me feeling sad. I’ve gotten used to checking in with Landon and planning our evenings. What the hell is up with him? I throw on pajamas not bothering to wash the makeup off my face. I decide to plop down on the couch and check on Sarah. That will keep me from thinking of Landon. Social media really is the devil. I can’t stand it, but it comes in handy. I pull up Sarah’s Facebook page. Same old, except her profile picture has been changed from a picture of Chet and her to just one of her. No Chet? I find it a little odd since most of her photos almost always include the two of them. Rarely is there a picture of just Sarah, my beautiful sister with shiny, light brown hair down to her shoulders. Seeing her picture makes me miss her. I miss her so much. I miss home. Tears start to form.

“Damn it” I shout and close out of Facebook. I put my phone down and my mind instantly goes back to Landon. I shouldn’t have allowed myself to get attached or to be to intimate. Don’t get me wrong sex with him has been unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. He made me feel worshiped but getting attached was a mistake. Just then my phone chimes. I look and see that it is a text from Landon. I open the text and it reads:

I’m sorry Evie.

I exhale a breath I didn’t know I was holding and shrug my shoulders. I quickly text back.

Hi

I anxiously wait for another text to come through. However, it never comes.

Days have gone by since Landon sent that one random text. I finally caved and sent him two texts. I was only met with silence in return. I’ve gone through being hurt and upset. Now I’m slightly angry. Like couldn’t he just break up with me? Why leave me hanging?

I’ve sent a text to Jessy to see if she wants to have a girl’s night but she has a date. I’m happy, yet a pang of jealousy hits me. Jessy told me his name was Erik, he works as a bartender at some club. I forget the name of it, but that’s where they met apparently.

I sigh, looks like it is just me and junk food.

I open the chocolate covered peanuts first and click on the TV. There’s just something about salty and sweet that makes everything better. Scrolling through the channels, I come across When In Rome. It’s always been a favorite of mine. I love me some Josh Duhamel and Kristen Bell.

“How pathetic am I, sitting here watching a romantic comedy while wallowing over my own relationship struggles?” I say out loud to myself as I get comfy.

Just as the movie starts getting good there’s a knock at my door. That’s odd, I’m not expecting anyone unless Jessy’s date went sour and she decided to join me.

Reluctantly, I get up to see who it is. While walking to the door I realize my choice of clothes. Yoga pants and a baggy tee. Oh well. I really don’t care what I look like. I huff as I unlock and open the door. Suddenly it’s as if the wind has been knocked out of me.

“Sarah?” I whisper.

“Eleanor!” Sarah exclaims and rushes forward pulling me into a hug. I hug her back tightly. I’m in such shock and disbelief. She pulls back from hugging me but never takes her hands off me.

“Can I come in?”

“Of course.” I reply and motion for her to come inside. I glance out into the hall and swear I see a shadow move. I quickly close the door and do the locks before turning back to Sarah.

“So how have you been?” Sarah asks, hands on her hips.

“Um… okay for the most part. How are you?”

“Eleanor I’ve been worried about you and what has happened to you. I have so many questions, but for now I’m just glad you are okay.” She states getting choked up. She hasn’t changed one bit. She is still the same caring person with a motherly side.

“Why don’t we sit down?” I say as I nod my head towards the living room. Sarah says nothing, just goes and has a seat.

“Would you like something to drink? I have water, wine, and well that’s pretty much it.”

“Water is fine.”

/>

I busy myself in the kitchen for a minute getting two waters. I’m trembling with fear. How did she find me? Where is Chet? Was it his shadow I saw? Where is he? My mind starts racing with panic. He can’t find me. He can’t know where I live. I take a deep breath and walk back to Sarah.

---