Page 72 of Diverge

Chapter Twenty-Four

Billie

The hustle and bustleof the busy café fills my ears as I try to regain my focus and write this email to Francesca. I landed in San Fran yesterday. After we spoke on the phone a few days ago, she wanted to meet in person as soon as possible to talk through the finer details. I manage to regain focus and ask Francesca to meet tomorrow at noon. Resting my back into the comfy couch chair, I watch as people come and go, ordering coffees, meeting with friends, and chatting. I admire the simple things in life now, the things we usually wouldn’t stop to look at, the things we are always too busy to notice. Like how people almost always blow on their coffee before the first sip, or how the breeze carries leaves into the air.

Glancing out the large window of the café, I notice a mother on the sidewalk, zipping her son’s coat and placing a beanie on his head. He smiles when she says something to him. He clings to her hand as they both walk away, and it makes me wonder if I will experience that someday. I’ve been thinking about it a lot in the past few weeks, what it would be like to be a mother, but I don’t think I’d want to do it alone. I can’t help but feel my time for that phase in my life is slowly running out. My chest tightens at the thought.

My phone dings, snapping me back to the present. Riley has sent me a photo, and my eyes well up as I open it to see my first nephew, Jamie, just entered the world. It takes a lot for me to start missing home, but at this moment, the homesick feeling stabs me directly in the heart.

Glancing outside again, I notice a familiar figure in the distance, approaching the café. As soon as he enters the café, my heart almost stops, and I need to remind myself to breathe. I’m not sure if he has noticed me yet... or maybe he doesn’t recognize me. I feel paralysed, unsure if I should approach him. The years have been kind to Nate, his features haven’t changed all that much. He’s still tall, slightly larger framed, and he’s grown a slight beard. He’s wearing jeans with a brown overcoat and black boots. I guess the leather jacket era must be over for him. Walking to the register, he places his order and waits as the barista prepares his coffee.

This is my chance... but what would I say?

Would he even want to see me?

The barista hands him two coffees, which stops me dead in my tracks.

What if he’s with someone?

He must have found someone over the years. I watch him walk out, the window of the opportunity for reunion closing with every step he takes.

I watch as he walks down the sidewalk, his frame getting smaller and smaller as he walks into the distance.

No, fuck this.

Gathering my things, I almost sprint out of the café, following the direction he went. I see him approach a vehicle and almost take a tumble as I stop, watching the beautiful blonde step out of the car. Nate hands her a coffee, and she smiles. My heart pinches watching them walk together further down the street. I don’t know what I expected, but I didn’t expect to see Nate at all.

I spent the rest of my afternoon working in the apartment I’m currently renting. I don’t mind the apartment. There’s really nothing to complain about. So many people would love to be able to live in San Francisco and have the opportunity to work with the Warriors. Did I mention they’re covering the cost of my rent? Yeah, epic... I know. I glance at the time and notice I’ve been working for a few hours which comes as a shock to me. Back when I was working in an office, every hour felt like weeks, but now, the hours feel like minutes. I guess it’s true what they say, when you do something you love, you don’t work a day in your life. I open my emails to see if I need to respond to any other urgent ones when another comes through, this one from Noah.

Hi Billie,

I know it’s been a while since my last email to you. You’ll have to forgive me, it’s been quite hectic these last few weeks. As you already know, The Warriors decided to give me a chance.

Yeah, I know, I can’t believe it either... but I must have done something right because they literally love me over here. I hope you’re doing well. I miss your pessimistic view on life sometimes. It was a breath of fresh air. These Americans all have endless motivational speeches, and it gets kind of repetitive and expected after a few times.

So, I have some news... I’m getting married... to my college sweetheart. No, she’s not pregnant, before you start getting any ideas. We met the first day I moved here, and she helped me through the change. We grew quite close, and I truly love her... I can’t imagine my life without her. Anyway, I really hope you can make it to the wedding. I know it seems quite rushed, but I have to be in New York for a game in a couple of weeks, so we want to tie the knot before then and extend our stay in New York for a honeymoon. I’ve added the link to our website in this email, so have a look and let me know when you can.

Noah.

I click on the link, and it takes me to Noah and Cassie’s wedding website. The background image is of them, a young, vibrant, happy couple. I smile as I scroll through the website, looking at how happy they seem together.

Cassie is a short blonde with the most luscious lashes I have ever seen. I hover over the RSVP button, hesitating for a moment. Obviously, Nate is going to be there... but will that be uncomfortable for him? To see me there... after so many years? My phone rings, causing me to flinch at the loud ringtone.

“Heyyyyyyy... oh my god I miss you so much. Harry is driving me up the bloody wall. Sorry if you can hear his screams.”

I chuckle. “Miss you, too, Grace. How’s things going?”

“It’s good, B. It’s really, really good. How are you doing?”

“Well, I think I might be signing to work with the Warriors tomorrow.”

She gasps. “The Golden State Warriors?! Oh my god, B, that’s huge!”

“It’s surreal... I can’t believe it myself.” I say

“Congratulations, you so deserve it.” She pauses. “So, you’re in San Fran right now?”

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