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Gathering my backpack, I stood and threw the strap over my shoulder. “I have to leave, but thanks for the coffee.”
“No prob. I’ll see you in class.” Mark waved quickly and went back to searching his phone.
As I was leaving, my head unwillingly turned in Axel’s direction, and I wished I hadn’t. He was leaning back in a chair with his arm slung over the back and his legs spread wide. His eyes were on me. Embarrassed again, I turned away and left.Stop acting like a fangirl around him.
Walking through the parking lot, my cell rang. I pulled it out of my backpack as I opened my car door. With brows drawn together, I answered. “Mom? Is everything okay?”
“Yes. I was calling to check up on you. How are your classes?”
“Good, so far.” I sank into the driver’s seat and set my backpack in the passenger seat, sighing in relief that there wasn’t another emergency. “How are you?”
I’d just been home with her before the second semester began, and each time I left her now, I was concerned and felt guilty. We were both suffering from our loss but had silently moved on.Just move on and deal.That’s how we handled our pain.
I sat and listened as she talked about my brother and sister-in-law’s sonogram today. The upcoming birth of their baby was a bright spot in our life. Life was funny, in a way. After suffering the end of one life, we were preparing to celebrate the birth of another.
Starting the engine, I continued to listen as the call shifted to the car’s speaker. “I’m so happy for them. I can’t wait until the baby is born.”
“Me either.” Then she went on another five-minute tangent about the baby and future plans.
I slid my hands over the steering wheel at ten and two, just like I’d been taught to do when I got my permit. I looked in the mirror and put my car in reverse to see the camera. All clear.
There was a lull for a second before my mother said, “I want you to think about what I said about Kiran.”
My foot eased down on the gas, ready to back out, and I shook my head in frustration.She wasn’t going to let this go. “Okay. I will.”
“I’m serious. I want you to give this a chance.”
“Okay, Mom. I have to go.” I clicked off the call and pushed the gas pedal harder than I should’ve, and…Crunch! I was jerked against the seatbelt that tightened across my chest. My head snapped back into the seat, and I stared ahead of me in shock. My adrenaline kicked in, and I felt like I was experiencing something surreal.
Then denial kicked in.
Because it was hard to grasp how I’d hit a car—again.
“No. No. No!” I gripped the steering wheel in a choke hold. Why? Why was this happening? Sighing in resignation, I dropped my head on the top of the steering wheel. I couldn’t believe I did this again. What the hell was wrong with me?
After a few deep, slow breaths, I opened my eyes, and the blinding lights reflected in my rearview mirror pierced my vision. I knew I needed to step out and talk to the driver. Apologize. Exchange insurance information. Oh, my god, why did I struggle with backing out of parking spaces?
Before my hands slid off the wheel, there were three soft raps on my window. I looked up and saw Axel standing before me.Why was he here?
Staring at him for several seconds in shock, I finally cut the engine. Axel motioned for me to get out. Like a zombie, I opened the door and stepped out of the car.
“Are you okay?” he asked with concern as he raked his eyes over me.
“Yeah. Why are you here?” Where was the other driver? I was out of sorts and not thinking straight. “Did you witness the accident?”
“Natalie…”
“How did I not see it?”
“Natalie.”
“I swear it was clear behind me.”
“Natalie,” he began slowly, as if I had trouble understanding. “You hit my car.” He ran his hand down my arm, still looking me over as if checking for injuries. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I hit your car.” My jaw dropped in disbelief as I stared off into the distance. “Again?” How could I do that? What were the odds of this happening? Was this a cruel joke?
“Are you hurt?” he pressed.
