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My phone started ringing. Without looking at the screen, I answered, “Hello?”
“I’ve been trying to reach you all day.” It was Brennan, sounding extremely annoyed.
“Why? What’s going on?” I shouldn’t have picked up. He was drama personified.
“Can we talk?”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Is it because you’re dating Zander?! What the hell, Sedona? We’ve broken up for like 2 minutes and you’re all over another guy!” He was screaming on the other end. I guessed this was not a good time to mention that we’ve actually been broken up for a month.
Just my luck! I got all the screamers today. From Tanya to Brennan. This was getting exhausting. I was barely waking up.
I sighed, before saying, “Brennan, listen. We broke up over a month ago when you decided it was ok to get under the sheets with your gal pal.”
“I apologized how many times, Sed,” he grumbled, in his all-out stubborn mode. I really hated that nickname. It made me sound like a medieval character.
“Yeah, you did,” I replied, getting tired of the conversation, “But it doesn’t mean I’m getting back together with you.”
“Then, what will it take? For you to come back to me?”
“Nothing, Brennan.”
“Are you dating Zander then?” He sounded exasperated, tired. After last night, he must have thought that I was not getting back with him because of Zander. I was with Zander when Brennan approached me at the bar, then Zander acted protective of me, and now this. I sensed Brennan’s frustration. At the same time, I did not feel that I need to explain anything to him. We were done.
“No, I’m not. I don’t know.”
“You don’t know? It’s all over the web!” Incredilous. Everyone, at least everyone that I knew, must have seen the picture.
“Just because some stupid, silly gossip website posted a picture of two people in a car doesn’t mean they’re dating.” I said in a hushed, exasperated tone.
Why anyone would have any interest in me to have my picture posted on a website was beyond me. Oh wait, it was not because of me. It was because of Mr. Football God beside me.
“K, he’s not the guy for you, Sedona.” His voice still irritated.
“Funny, that’s what everyone said about you.” The other end of the line was silent. I could see him tapping on his right foot and his left hand playing ‘air piano’ on his left leg. He did this when he had nothing to say or when he was keeping his temper in check or when he knew he was at fault.
“So, you thinking of dating him?” Now he was inquisitive, almost pleading for an answer.
I let out a sigh and I made sure he heard it. “Look, Brennan, I don’t think it’s any of your business anymore.” This day was really turning out be a marathon of events. And the reality was, I woke up less than an hour ago.
Brennan was saying something, but my mind was already drifting somewhere else.
What if I dated Zander? I didn’t even know him. Would it be like this all the time? Would people wonder why we’re dating, why he picked me? Would Chatty Pepper and her minions constantly hound me?
“…..that’s why I’m saying this, Sedona. Zander’s just not the guy,” I caught the end of what he was saying. No clue as to the beginning or the middle of what he was ranting about.
“Brennan, I have to go. Got some things to do today,” I hurriedly said on the phone and without waiting for his response, I said bye.
I fell back in bed. The down pillow on my neck felt so good. For a few minutes, I breathed in and out. The gravitational laws of Physics running through my head, was helping me gain control of myself, of the situation. And I hated this feeling. Here’s what I get for sucking face with a guy I barely knew. This was so not me.
Before I completely freaked out, I tried to banish all thoughts of Brennan, Zander, and of everyone else from my head.
My thoughts wandered to my dad’s house’s front porch in Santa Monica. A feeling of peace engulfed me as I created a mental image of the ocean waves slashing against the rocks and the clear blue skies reflecting on the waters. I missed this. The hectic school and work schedules, the break-up with Brennan, the drama of last night and today – it was all weighing me down now. I needed to get away from it all. I needed to gain back control and solitude.
I reached for my phone, looked at the screen, and pressed Off.
Around 7:30 PM, I returned to my apartment. I spent the whole day shopping (more like window shopping), driving (more like cruising) around my favorite Bay Area spots, and walking around the beach while gorging on a hamburger, curly cheese fries, and Strawberry Sundae.
