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“You’re right, it is super weird,” I reply, “But I kind of do.”
So before I know it, I’m spilling everything. I tell her all about Hazel and Brendon. I tell her that the day she’d left, I’d given up on relationships, but all of a sudden, these two come along and I don’t know what to do with myself.
When I finish by explaining the misunderstanding brought about by her phone call, she groans. “Oh, fuck, I am so sorry,” she says, “Even when I’m trying to do something good, I still fuck up your life, I think I’m a bad luck charm or something.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Maybe a little bit.”
“But listen, if these two are as amazing as you say, don’t give up,” she advises me, “If I’ve learned anything over the course of all of this, it’s to follow your heart.”
“Thanks, but that might be a little easier said than done. And besides, they’re leaving in a few days anyway and I’ll probably never see them again.”
“Can you live with that?” she asks.
My silence seems to give her all the answer she needs. “Love finds a way, Chip,” Emma tells me, “If you have feelings for those two, tell them, because if you don’t, it’s gonna eat you alive. And after everything you’ve been through, don’t you think you deserve a little happiness?”
“I guess so.”
“I know so. So, give them a little time to cool off, then go after them,” she instructs me, “And as far as them leaving…who says you can’t go with them?”
The possibility hadn’t crossed my mind, at least not in that context. I’d fantasized about returning to New York pretty much ever since I left, but now….now there might actually be something for me there.
“Thanks, Emma. I’ll have to give that some thought.”
“Glad to be of service.”
“I’ve got to tell you, this is the absolute last direction I would have expected a phone call with you to go,” I remark, laughing.
“Honestly, I was just relieved you didn’t just cuss me out and hang up on me,” she laughed, “It would have been well-deserved.”
“While that might have been a little satisfying, I think this might be better,” I say.
“I’d have to agree with that.”
“I’m happy for you, Em. I’m glad to hear that you turned shit around. Really.”
“Thank you,” she says, “I just wish it hadn’t taken so long to get there, and that I hadn’t hurt so many people in the process.”
“Nothing you can do to change the past now,” I tell her gently, “So you’re doing the best thing you can and moving forward.”
“I’m definitely trying,” she says.
I hear another voice in the background and a little bit of muffled conversation between Emma and the other person. “Hey, Chip, I’m sorry, I’ve got to go, but I’m going to get those papers in the mail first thing in the morning, okay?”
“Sounds good, Emma. You take care of yourself.”
“You, too,” she replies, and after bidding each other goodbye, we hang up.
I sink down onto my couch, the breath escaping my lungs in one big “whoosh.” This was definitely not how I anticipated this evening unfolding, but in spite of the roller coaster, there’s a weight off my chest I hadn’t even known was sitting there.
Emma has moved forward, but the truth is that I really haven’t And maybe she’s right. Maybe it’s time that I do.
Chapter Eighteen
Hazel
After Chip leaves, I take a moment to collect myself and pull my clothes back on before I go searching for Brendon. And as I’m walking, I’m thinking.
Brendon had sprung to an immediate reaction, and part of me understands why. But at the same time, the look of shock on Chip’s face when he realized who was on the other end of that call doesn’t make sense for a cheater.
