Chapter 2

2.

The next morning, my alarm woke me up on the sofa. I didn't even remember falling asleep.

I had several unread messages from Leighton.

"Harvey, where the hell are you? Didn't I tell you I'd be home late? Where are you messing around?"

"I've been exhausted for two days. Are you really going to start drama now? Grow up."

"Don't tell me this is about Jaxon again."

She stopped texting after that, likely getting distracted by Jaxon again.

I didn't bother replying. I blocked her number and went to get ready for work.

When I got to the office, my colleagues all offered their condolences.

My manager called me into his office. "Harvey, I gave you time off for a reason. Go home and rest."

"Also, think about that offer I mentioned. It's a rare opportunity."

I declined his kindness with a weak smile. "I need to move forward."

"Actually, sir, I'll take the transfer to the corporate headquarters."

The manager beamed and handed me the paperwork.

My work buddy, Hunter, saw me with the forms and looked shocked. "Harvey, you're actually going to the city?"

I nodded. "I want to see what I can do while I'm still young."

He sensed something was wrong but didn't pry. He just told me things would get better.

Two months ago, the manager asked if I wanted to head a major project at the main branch.

It was a massive career jump, but I had turned it down because of my dad's health and Leighton's hatred for long distance.

Now, I had nothing left to stay for. It was time to focus on my career.

After work, I walked out of the building and saw Leighton standing there in a stunning red dress.

She looked gorgeous, drawing looks from everyone passing by.

Usually, I would have rushed over to pull her into my arms.

Now, I just wanted to vanish. I lowered my head and tried to walk past her.

She called my name and chased after me.

I stepped aside to avoid her hand when she tried to grab my arm.

In the past, I loved being affectionate with her.

She used to tease me for being "clingy like a girl."

She looked stunned that I dodged her. Her face clouded over instantly. "I came all this way to pick you up. What more do you want?"

"Nothing. It's just crowded, and I don't want people gossiping," I lied calmly.

She studied me for a moment, and seeing no anger, she relaxed. "Oh, so now you're shy?"

She seemed satisfied that I wasn't "throwing a fit."

"Work was crazy yesterday," she said in a rare, gentle tone. "Let's grab dinner and go home together."

I wanted to say no, but my coworkers were staring.

I didn't want to explain a messy breakup in front of the whole office.

I followed her to the car.

I went to the passenger side out of habit, but when I opened the door, I saw a pair of men's dress shoes and a shirt on the seat.

Leighton sat in the driver's seat and shrugged. "Jaxon left those there after I took him to his game. Let me move them."

"Don't bother."

I shut the door and climbed into the backseat instead.

Leighton stared at me through the rearview mirror, looking confused.

She only started the car after I prodded her to move.

In the back, I spotted a pair of torn black stockings stuffed into a corner.

The air in the car was thick with the smell of expensive cologne and cigarette smoke.

I could ignore the stockings.

But my allergies couldn't handle the smoke in such a confined space.

I started sneezing uncontrollably.

Leighton seemed to remember my allergy and quickly rolled down the windows.

She looked anxious, opening her mouth to speak several times but failing to find words.

For the first time since Jaxon returned, I looked at this woman I had loved for seven years with complete clarity.

She was wearing the watch Jaxon gave her.

There were faint love bites on her neck, barely hidden by her collar.

Her phone was sitting face up, and I knew the wallpaper was a photo of her and Jaxon.

She used to tell me the car was her "private space" and refused to let me keep my things there.

Now, the car was practically a shrine to Jaxon.

The 99 wishes they were fulfilling had slowly strangled the life out of our relationship.

I had been running away from this truth for years.

Looking at her now, reeking of another man, I realized something strange.

Things that used to keep me up at night now felt like nothing. Even if a thousand needles stabbed me, I wouldn't feel the pain.

The fresh air helped my nose, so I looked down at my phone to answer messages.

Many relatives had messaged me after the funeral, and I hadn't had the energy to reply until now.

As I read their condolences, it hit me. Leighton hadn't asked about my dad once.

He had treated her like a daughter, and she hadn't even checked if he was still alive.

"My deal with Jaxon is over," Leighton said suddenly. "We can go back to how we were. Stop being so suspicious."

Over? Was it really?

Thinking about Jaxon's Instagram post, I knew her version of "over" was a lie.

"Okay," I mumbled, not wanting to argue.

The silence in the car became suffocatingly awkward.

Just as I was about to ask where we were eating, she slammed on the brakes.

I looked at her, confused.

She was staring at her phone, looking frantic. "Jaxon fell and hurt his leg. I have to get him to the ER first. We'll eat after."

It wasn't a question. It was an order.

I looked out at the dark, gathering storm clouds. My heart felt a final, dull ache.

They would never be "over."

But we were.

"No thanks," I said. "I'm tired. I just want to go home."

"Don't make this a thing, Harvey. He's my friend and he's hurt."

"I get it. Just drop me off at the next intersection. I'll catch a cab."

I thought I was being perfectly reasonable.

But Leighton turned around, her eyes full of rage. "He's literally screaming in pain! How can you be so heartless?"

"Are you really this jealous? Do you want him to be crippled just so you can feel better?"

I stared at her calmly. "I didn't say any of that. I just don't want to go. I'm not stopping you."

She was speechless for a second, then snapped, "Either come with me or get out of the car right now!"

"What?" I asked, stunned.

We were on the coastal highway. It would take an hour to find a ride, and it was about to pour.

I didn't even have an umbrella.

She sneered. "What? Still don't trust us? You're all talk, Harvey."

"Unlock the door."

I would rather walk through a hurricane than spend another minute in that car with her.

She clicked the locks, looking like she wanted to say more, but I was already out and walking away.