AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ophelia furrowed her brow and looked at the truck. “Wait, where’s your Tesla?”
“At Milo’s place.” I headed over to the truck, opening the back seat for Ophelia’s belongings, then opened the passenger door for her. The entire time she climbed in, she looked at me, her eyebrows raised and her teeth slightly showing. “I mean, it’s not charged.”
Once she was in the cab, I shut the door and walked around the bed of the truck, grumbling under my breath the entire time.Remember, Clay you’re still a hot shot accountant.
“Why haven’t you charged it?” Ophelia's voice hit my ears the second I opened the door and climbed in the truck, tossing the fob in the cup holder before turning the engine.
How was I going to answer this without sounding like an idiot? It had some charge to it, it was just uninsured, and the Washington plates weren’t registered. I couldn’t drive it.
“Oh, well, there aren’t many charging stations. . .”
“There are a lot of charging stations. They may not beTesla, but there are charging stations,” she interrupted.
“Yeah, well, I drove it from Washington on one charge and haven't been able to get to a station. Milo’s been letting me use his truck.” I pulled out onto the road, trying to keep myself from making eye contact. “Plus, I’ve been working from home, so no need to really go anywhere.”
“Home?”
“Well.” I sighed. “Milo’s house.”
“Doesn’t Milo only have two bedrooms?”
“I’ve been staying on his couch,” I added sheepishly.
She hummed. “Why not get a hotel?”
“Because I haven't seen Milo in a long time, and he’s letting me stay for free, so there’s that.” I gripped the steering wheel, watching my knuckles turn white as I felt Ophelia’s eyes on me. “It’s only for three months, then I’m back home, but we have a party to talk about.”
Ophelia sucked air in between her teeth. “Ah, yes. The party. Any ideas?”
“None whatsoever.”
“Oh, good, so we’re both at a loss.”
“Well, at least we’re on the same page, just like old times,” I mumbled, tilting toward her, giving her a grin. My grin wasn’t reciprocated. Instead, I got yet another glare.
“No, Clay. And for the record, I don't think we’re on the same page,” Ophelia responded.
I pursed my lips. Just like that, the friendly conversation ended, and the car went silent.
After we talked on the porch, a simple starting over, it made me think we could do this. That Ophelia and I could let go over what happened in the past and maybe. . . become friends again. I even made it a point to find out where she was today, take her a coffee, talk to her. I stood there and held that silly pin cushion, watching as she pursued her dream and told me about her future, what was coming her way, and the entire time I couldn’t help but imagine myself in it. By her side as she cut that ribbon on her store, designed the wedding gowns, and brought each one to life.
But here we were, one simple mention ofold times,and I was back to knowing I was a failure, not just in my life at the moment, but with Ophelia too.
I pulled up in front of Madeline’s house, one part of me grateful the awkward silence was over, the other angry that she was, yet again, turning her back to me.
“I’ll call you,” Ophelia said, point blank as she opened the car door.
I nodded and gave a smug smirk. “Yeah, okay. The party will get planned.”
She gave a light chuckle and then shut the door, only to open the back seat to grab her portfolio, not saying a single thing to me as she did.
“Bye, Phe—Ophelia,” I called as she slammed the back door.
I watched as she walked in the house, Niko barking from the window. Madeline’s car was sitting in the driveway, so I knew I’d either get a text or a lecture later from her about this. Rolling my eyes, I turned back to the steering wheel, placing my forehead on the leather.
“Clayton,” I grumbled to myself. “Why do you have to be such an idiot?”
As if it were answering my question, my phone buzzed from the cup holder. Groaning, I answered.
