AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We should invite them back to your place, Jackson. Come on, a little after-party,” Tyler says, his speech slurred.
“We’re going to call it a night, Tyler, but did you at least get her number?”
“Sure thing, buddy. It blows she doesn’t live around here. But not as much as it sucks you haven’t told Solia about Trinity because you’re going to screw this up for me.”
I immediately stop from taking one more step. “What did you just say?”
“Oh, shit.” Ryan clasps my shoulder. “Take a deep breath.”
“Say it again, Tyler. What the hell did you just say?”
“Sorry, man, it’s just—um—I was talking with Mia, and she said Solia is into you.”
“And?” I urge him to keep talking.
“Not sure, but something like, you’ve been better since you met her, the happiest we’ve seen you since the accident.”
“What the fuck?” I slam my hands against my head.
“You haven’t told her anything?” Ryan asks.
“Fuck!” I storm in the direction of my truck.
“Man! I’m sorry! I didn’t know. I figured everyone in this goddamn town knows what happened. I figured the girl you’re sleeping with would too.”
I’m not the guy to react with a punch, but it takes everything I have not to knock his teeth out. “Not that it’s any of your fucking business, man, but I’m not sleeping with her. I’m not a dirtbag. I think shit through first, something you don’t seem capable of. You should drink less and shut the fuck up.”
“Cool it, man. Listen, he had no way of knowing you hadn’t told Solia.” Jay’s words have zero impact on the tension in the air.
Adrenaline surges through me, causing my ears to ring. I get in my truck and slam the door, leaving the guys standing in the dirt staring at me. I open the window and toss Tyler’s keys out. “Take his ass home.” I step on the gas, letting the dirt spin out from under my tires, and leave.
Go fucking figure. Why did I agree to this get-together? I never thought one of them would mention Trinity.
I park in my driveway and throw my head back into the headrest. I’m such a dick. In an effort to keep Solia separate from the tragedy, I’ve managed to lose it on one of my best friends and hide the truth from Solia. They both deserve better than that. Keeping this a secret doesn’t make it vanish. I have to tell her, and it’ll destroy everything.
I snap out of my spiral when my phone vibrates in my pocket. Reaching for it, I use my other hand to push open my truck door, and do a double take at a text from an unknown number.
MIA
Hey, Jackson. Solia is already asleep, so I got your number from her phone. If you don’t tell her, I will. Soon.
Understood. I never meant to hurt her.
Neither of us need to elaborate. I get the message loud and clear.
I drop my head into my hands as tears burn the corners of my eyes. I don’t think it’s possible to have made a worse first impression on Solia’s best friend. I subconsciously convinced myself I was protecting Solia, but in reality, the only person I’m protecting is myself.
I push open my front door, already dreading walking through it tomorrow.
* * *
Irise before the sun has even peeked over the horizon, exhausted from tossing and turning, seeing every hour on the clock, rehearsing a hundred different ways to come clean with Solia. There are no words that make this any less awful. People around here know I’m leaving. This isn’t the hard thing to say; I can force those words out of my mouth. It’s the reason why I’m leaving I’ve never had to explain to anyone. Everyone already knows.
Everyone except Solia.
It’s too early to text or call her, so I get dressed, head out for a coffee, and figure I’ll take this time to visit my grandfather. Lying around any longer will lead to insanity. My stomach is in knots, my head banging from the inside out. If there is anyone who can guide me, it’s Grandpa.
With enough caffeine to make it, I pull into the orchard expecting the two of them ready for the day, since they wake with the roosters.
