“I’m just tired.” I shrug. The test took all of my energy. And if I had a choice, I’d be home reading a book.
We grab our drinks and make our way to a two-seater high-top. We sit down, and a group of guys make their way over to us.
I roll my eyes at the all-American dream team coming over in their jeans and polo shirts. When did the eighties make a comeback? They can’t see me, thank God.
“Hey!” a tall blonde says, lifting his chin at me in greeting.
“Hi,” I say, waving a shy hand.
I hate being picked up at a club. And while this guy is hot, he’s just not doing it for me. None of them are.
“I’m Ian. This is Carter and Denis,” Ian says, pointing to two guys with brown hair beside him.
“I’m Raquel, and this is my friend Mikayla.” Raquel beams at Ian.
Thank God, because I’m not at all interested.
I drink my martini while Raquel flirts with Ian. Carter and Denis leave the table, seeming to scope out other women they can likely score with since I’m not the best company.
After I finish my drink, Raquel forces me onto my feet and onto the dance floor when APT. by Rose and Bruno Mars comes on. We make it through three songs before she and Ian are making out, and that’s my cue to leave.
Look, I’m not mad at Raquel. I’m just not feeling it tonight, and I want her to have fun. Plus, she deserves to enjoy a night out.
I get a rideshare and make my way inside herhouse and change for bed and brush my teeth.
The following morning I’m packed up and ready to go when I’m greeted with a less than smiling Raquel.
“That fun?” I ask as I set my bags down.
“You’re leaving?” she whines. “Don’t leave!”
“It’s time,” I say as I make her a cup of coffee.
It’s already noon, and I know if I don’t get out the door in the next hour or two, I won’t.
“Where are you going now?”
“I don’t know. I’m thinking of going to California, maybe. I think I passed the boards, but won’t know for a few weeks, so figured if I want to travel, now’s the time,” I reply with a shrug.
“I’m gonna miss you!” She stands up and hugs me close.
I prepare us an easy lunch and more coffee since Raquel is a total mess. Over sandwiches, we talk about her night.
“Are you leaving because of me?” she asks me when I get up to leave. Her eyes are worried.
“Rock, of course not,” I say with conviction. “I told you last week I wanted to travel a bit more after I finished my boards.”
She nods, but frowns. “I like having you here,” she whispers, looking down at the table.
“Then I’ll come back. And wherever I end up, you can visit me,” I remind her, pulling her in for a hug.
After a long goodbye, and well after four in the afternoon, I throw my shit into the trunk of my car and get on the road.
I drive toward Dallas and make it all the way to Fort Worth when the rain starts falling and falling hard!
Then the worst thing that can happen during a rainstorm happens. My car starts making the strangest sound, like something is rattling in the engine or something. I take the first exit and pull into a well-lit parking lot. I turn off the engine and grab my phone so I can look for a place to take my car.
The wind blows outside, shaking it a little, which is kind of creepy, and the rain pounds harder against the windows.
