Chapter 16; Open road
2217 Words
Grace
Three months later.
I have let it go, I decided to focus on my relationship then worry about if I should believe Luke or not. It’s been great the last three months. I got a new job at a company where I don’t know anyone, and it’s been going great. I recovered smoothly, my relationship with Andrew has been the best. I haven’t even seen Luke since the day at the hospital, I haven’t even heard his name. Things were just going great. We have a family vacation happening this week, today is Friday and we leave in the morning at like 4 am. Andrew was invited but he couldn’t get the days off from work. So Abby is coming with me so I am not left with couples, cause my brother is bringing Emma.
My alarm went off to get up at 2:30, to start getting ready to head to the airport. I was really bummed Andrew couldn’t come, but least I got Abby. We ate breakfast, grabbed our lounge and headed to the airport. My dad like to get early that’s why we left so early. When we got to the airport, it was 3:35 am, we got to our gate, and now it was the waiting game. We were like for 15 minutes before we were supposed to board they made a announcement that three flights were cancelled, they didn’t say why. One of them being our flight, my dad went to see if he could get us new flights, when he returned he said the next flight he could get was tomorrow night so he got us all new tickets and we were gonna leave tomorrow. We headed back home and to get more sleep.
After I woke up it was about noon. I decided I wasn’t gonna tell Andrew that I ain’t leaving til tomorrow, I was gonna surprise him. He didn’t have to work today, I asked Abby if she wanted to go with me, and she agreed. So we headed over to his apartment, when we got there. I wasn’t gonna knock, he gave me a key to his apartment so I was just gonna walk in and surprise him. But it wasn’t what I suspected.
When I opened the door, I saw Maddie sitting on the couch with a glass of wine, then I saw a tall blonde woman sitting on Andrews lap with his arm around her!
“What the h*** is going on?” I said angry.
That’s when Andrew pushed the girl off him, and got up real fast.
“It not what it looks like,”
“It’s exactly what it looks like! You have a woman on your lap, with the cousin you don’t talk to sitting next to you, the woman I hate.”
That’s when me and Abby went to walk away, but before we could reach the elevator, Andrew grabbed my arm and wouldn’t let go.
“Let go of me Andrew.” I said loudly in the hallway.
“Not til you talk to me.” He replied.
“I don’t want to so let me go.” I said louder. That’s when Abby went and knocked on Luke’s door. Luke answered quickly, and seen what going on.
“Help..” Abby said to him.
“Let go of her now.” He said.
“Go into your apartment and mind your business.” He said to Luke.
“Let her go, or you going to regret it.”
That’s when I can feel him grabbed my arm tighter and it was hurting me. Before I knew it, he let go of me when Luke punched him in the face. That’s when me and Abby ran to the elevator and hurried up and left. I sat in my car as I cried,
“Do you want me to drive?” She asked me.
I wiped my eyes, and stayed silent for a minute.
“No I have idea.” I replied as I started my car.
“And that is?”
“You’ll see, let’s just say we’re not going to Florida now.”
I started driving, in the last second I decided to not go on my family vacation with my parents, why? Because I need to do something spontaneous and the fact I got my bestfriend with me makes even more better. I told her I didn’t want to think or talk about what just happen with Andrew, I just wanted to have fun. I did inform my parents I wasn’t going just so they don’t think we’re missing, other then that I ignore all calls because I didn’t wanna talk about what happen. I knew Luke was gonna wanna know if I’m ok, and since he don’t have my number because I got a new number a while ago, he’s gonna call my parents or my brother. Abby and I were trying new places to eat, we were stopping at state signs and taking pictures. It was a good time, we were in 14 hours in to our trip, and we stop in Nashville to crash for the night and then hit the road in the morning. We got an hotel room, we had left over food from when we stopped at places so that’s what we ate and watched a movie before bed.
Next morning, we got up, took showers and ate breakfast before hitting the road. We were in the the car for maybe almost 10 more hours, we finally made it to our destination.
“Is this where you used to live?” Abby asked me.
“Yes, he bought this house when we moved here after college.”
We got out of the car and rang his door bell. That’s when Stephan answered the door and surprised to see me.
“Grace? What are you doing here?” He asked.
“Can we come in?”
“Well of course,” he said to be before giving me a big hug.
As we walked into the living room, “wow this place has changed so much.” I said.
“Well a female used to live here once upon a time, but they she up and left me and so I changed it to not look like a girl lived her.” He said laughing.
“Makes sense.” I said as I say on the couch.
“So what brings you two ladies here?”
“Well..” I said and that’s when I explained what’s been going on.
That’s when Stephan kind of grew a little angry. “Are you ok?” He asked.
“Yeah now, I just want to be a good relationship. With Luke, that was more my fault. But with Andrew I thought I was, with you I thought I was.”
“Well we were then stress and work came between us.” He said as he nodded his head.
“Well ladies, would you guys like to go out for dinner? I know the perfect place.”
“Ok sounds good” I said.
Abby and I went up took our suitcases up to the spare bedroom. I turned my phone back on to see I had many missed calls, from Eli, my mom, my dad and Andrew. Followed up voicemails and texts from them all. Ignored them, we headed down stairs to to leave, we all got into Stephan’s car. He took us to this place that me and him used to eat at when we were together. We went in and took a seat, a lady brought over menus and waters over.
“Your waitress will be with you shortly.” She said.
We thanked her. I was looking down at menu, when a woman had up to our table.
“Hi, I’m Olivia I will be your waitress today. What can I get you started with.”
That’s when my head shot up,
“Omg Olivia.”
“Omg Grace!” She said as I got up to hug her.
“What are you doing here? Are you moving back? Are you and Stephan getting back together?”
“No, I am just visiting. I currently..” I paused because I almost said I was in a relationship.
“Just got out of a relationship.”
“Oh I’m sorry! Well we should talk and hang out before you go home! I miss you.”
“Sure will.” I said back, as I wrote down my number.
She took our orders and we ate, before we could finished, Stephan got up to use the bathroom. That’s when Olivia sat down in his spot.
“So listen I need to tell you something, I need to say it fast.” She said.
“Ok?” I said as I chuckled a little.
“So I don’t know how you feel about this, but I have a thing for Stephan. I have flirted a few times and he has back. But I was your friend when you were here, and even tho we barley talk. I wouldn’t do that if you don’t agree with it.”
“Well, Olivia, go for it. You guys are both awesome people, I think it will work out.”
“Really? Thanks!” She said smiling.
That’s when Stephan was walking towards the table.
“I’m sorry and you are?” She said smiling at Abby.
“Abby, Grace’s bestfriend.”
“Oh yes, I’ve heard so much about you.”
That’s when she got up to get back to work, and we finished up and headed back to Stephan. After we watched some movies, we decided we were gonna hit they hay. Abby and I were exhausted. We headed to the guest bed, as I was laying there, I decided to grab my phone and look at the messages.
Mom: Sweetie are you ok? We heard what happened.
Eli: GRACE ANSWER YOUR PHONE.
Mom: Grace please let us know you made it and your ok.
Mom: Gracelyn please call us.
Eli: if you don’t answer us, mom gonna call the police.
Eli: if you don’t answer I’m giving Luke your number. He keeps asking about you also.
Mom: Thank god Abby with you. Least she knows how to reply to people.
Unknown number: I know you probably don’t wanna hear from me, I just wanted to make sure you were ok. Call me if you need to talk. I don’t care what time.
Andrew: babe! Call me please let me explain!!!
Missed calls from My dad, mom, Eli, and Andrew.
“Damn.” I said.
I got up, to go used the bathroom, and as I passed Stephan’s bedroom, I glanced over and saw he was still awake in bed. I knocked on the door..
“Hey”he said as he looked at me.
“Hey, I can’t sleep.” I said as I stood in his doorway. “Can I come in?”
“Sure,” he said as he patted the bed.
As I sat on the bed, it was crazy, other then my stuff being gone, and a new bed set, the bedroom stayed the same. I put my back against the headboard.
“Wow, never thought I would be sitting in this bed again.”
“Never thought you would be in my house again.”
“I am sorry Stephan, I’m sorry for just leaving.”
“Don’t be, if it wasn’t meant to be.”
“Do you believe we will ever find your soulmates?” I said to him, as I put my legs under the blanket cause I was getting cold.
“Honestly, I think you found yours already.”
“Who?” I said on trying to figure what man he’s talking about.
“Luke!”
“What? No..”
“Grace! What you think would be happening right now if your dad was ok with the relationship? Or if Luke would of choose you that night before his trip. You would be with him..I know it. I knew the second you were with him, why cause the way you smiled when he spoke, the way you looked at him anytime. The way you defended him anytime. You used to do those things with me, but this time I could tell he was your the one, because it was different. It’s months later and your still not over what happened.”
“I do still miss him..”
“Then let him in because you guys deserve each other. But this time talk to your dad first.”
“Thanks, Stephan. Hey, I got something for you too.”
“You do? What?”
“Text Olivia, she likes you.”
“You’re ok with that? Because I think she’s pretty cool.”
“Yes go for it.” I said to him as I hugged him.
I got up and left his room, and walked to the bathroom, after I used it. I sat on the floor and just looked at old picture of me and Luke. I noticed it was almost midnight, but I wanted to hear his voice. I went to my texts and dialed his number..
“Hey..” he answered.
- Writer
