My Scumbag Ex's Best Friend

Clashing

Adelaide

It seems Everett is still making a point to ignore me, because he didn't look my way once over dinner last night, and this morning, he's doing the same thing.

His behavior makes me more upset than I would've liked, and I hate that more than anything. I wish I weren't so affected.

Maybe if I didn't feel so embarrassed about showing him my vulnerable side, I wouldn't be feeling this way.

But genuinely, what's his problem?

He seemed like such a nice guy to me, but this reaction is so uncalled for.

"Gerard is going to be busy with the car all day," Granny says. She's been talking for a few minutes now, but this is what catches my attention for obvious reasons.

Gerard is her driver.

"He has a lot of things to pick up," she continues as she dips her spoon into her poached egg. "Addy, do you still want to go to the mall and pick up a few things?"

I still. I should've known this was coming, but this morning, I'm prepared.

"Yes," I mention simply.

Granny looks over at Everett and I grow cold, but I'm still determined. "Everett, would you mind giving her a lift? It's just that I get so worried. It's so dangerous out there, and when my granddaughter is with you, I'm more at ease."

Stiffly, he starts to speak, but I cut him off. "No, Granny. I'm perfectly capable of riding into the city alone. You worry too much. I'm a twenty-five-year-old woman, not a child."

She looks affronted by my response, but I'm not backing down. "There's no reason why I can't look out for you. Everett, would it be too much trouble?"

Again, he parts his lips to speak, but this time, I stand up. My plate is cleared, and I've had enough of this conversation to last me a lifetime.

"Granny, I'll have to insist. I can do this on my own." I look over at Everett and his eyes are on me for the first time since he walked past me without a word yesterday. "We shouldn't bother strangers. It's not polite. Excuse me."

I start walking toward my bedroom to get ready to leave, satisfied that she didn't insist. I know my grandmother is a stubborn woman, but I can be the same way, and guess what? I got it from her.

Everett follows me, though, and when he calls my name, I can't hide my surprise.

"Addy," he begins, stopping in front of me, "I have no trouble giving you a ride."

"I don't want it."

His eyes search mine and I see something strong flash across his eyes, but it's gone before I can figure out what it truly is. "Is there a reason why?"

I could play this game with him all day, but I just don't have the time. I put my hands together and tell him, "I'd rather not get in the car of someone who is hot one moment and cold the next, Everett. I'm sure you're aware, just as well as I am, that you're ignoring me. You've been ignoring me since yesterday."

His jaw tenses and he looks to the side. I continue, "If I've done something to offend you, I'm sorry. I wasn't aware of it at the time."

"It's not that," he says quietly.

"If it's about Rick and the divorce as well as what I told you—"

"No," Everett says quickly and a little loudly. "It has absolutely nothing to do with that, Addy. Of course, not. I'm on your side. I always have been."

I just stare at his face. At this point, I don't know how to respond to his words. All I know is that I refuse to be uncomfortable. If he doesn't want to be around me, then he doesn't have to.

I won't force a situation. Lord knows we've gone a little too far already.

Everett lowers his gaze briefly before he looks back at me. "I'm the one who's sorry, Addy. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. My intention wasn't to upset you at all."

I don't see how that's true, but I don't mention it.

"If you need a ride, I'll gladly give you one," he says.

"Thank you, but I have it figured out. Excuse me."

I reach my room and breathe a lot easier now that he isn't around me. I don't know why that man has such an effect on me.

It's better if we just stay away from each other.

I can't deal with people like him, not when I have so much on my mind. I have to be around people I can be myself with, not people I can't understand or figure out. If I take into account what happened on the night I arrived, well, it's even more reason to keep my distance.

It's better this way.

A knock on my door makes me tense up, but it's just Granny. I take one look at her face and I can already tell that she's a little upset. "Addy, darling, is everything alright? You sounded quite upset over breakfast."

I can't fill her ears with this garbage surrounding my situation with Everett, so I just tell her, "I'm not upset, Granny. I just really have to do this on my own."

"But has he been rude to you in any way?" she questions as she walks further into my room.

He has, but I leave that out, too. "No, Granny. I just think it's impossible to assume that we'd ever be friendly to each other when he's Rick's best friend."

"Ah. So that's what it is, then?"

I shrug.

Granny moves closer to me and we both sit on the edge of my bed. She takes my hand in hers and says, "I'm very proud of you, Addy. You've been taking all this like a champ. Separation is a nasty business, but you're being strong."

"I have no choice. Thank you, Granny."

I haven't told her about Raquelle, either, and I don't think I will. I think the best thing I can do where my ex-best friend is concerned is just act like she doesn't exist.

In a more serious tone, Granny asks me, "Has he tried to contact you?"

"No."

"Good. Maybe he finally understood the message," she claims. "Let's not talk about this. Have you heard of Evie's granddaughter's party?"

"Evie Montclair, the socialite?"

"Yes. You should go. All the young people are going to be there, I heard. Call your friends. She sent me the invite just this morning."

"For me?"

"Yes. Of course. You'll have to pick up a good outfit, though. And a mask. The details are on the invitation. Let me send it to you. I'll be right back. Don't even think about saying no to this, Addy. You're young. Have fun, do you understand?"

I smile. "Sure thing, Granny."

A masquerade. I haven't been to one of those since high school. Come to think of it, I really haven't had fun in a long time.

Being married to Rick felt like being imprisoned, come to think of it. The only difference is that I was my own warden, and my love for Rick was the cell I was rotting in.

Anyway. I think it could be a lot of fun.

At least, I hope it will be.