Page 34 of Picking Pismo

“I know,” Claire smiled back. “She’s talented. Maybe moving her to Los Angeles will give her bigger opportunities for dance.” She shifted back, returning her attention back to the stage.

His stomach dropped like he was on weird elevator ride, knocking the wind right out him. Claire was leaving. Alexis was leaving too. And he’d be alone. Again. David knew it was happening, but naïvely he believed if he lived in the moment he wouldn’t ever have to face the reality of their future. Wrong. Everyone always left him, first his ex-wife, and now Claire and Alexis. For the rest of the dance performance, David sat in a nauseated haze.

Finally, the last number ended, and the lights in the auditorium turned back on. People stood at once, moving down the rows toward the exit. With the shuffling, David mindlessly followed the crowd out in a daze. He made the mistake of not glancing back for Claire, and by the time he made it out of the auditorium and into the lobby he had lost sight of her. Running a shaky hand through his hair then down the length of his face, David questioned everything. His stomach twisted in a knot, making his hands clammy. Why had he allowed himself to fall for Claire when she was leaving—forever?

Scanning the crowd as people continued to spill out from the auditorium, David still didn’t spot Claire. He moved out of the way of the traffic, leaning up against the wall. Pulling out his phone, he shot Claire a text.

I lost you in the crowd. I’m waiting in the far side of the lobby for you.

He waited, pulling up a social media app to occupy himself. His phone dinged. He tapped on the message to open it.

I know. You took off. I didn’t even get a chance to talk to you. I’m waiting for Alexis to come out. If you’re in a hurry to leave, you can go ahead and go.

The words stared back at him, making his insides churn. His behavior hadn’t gone unnoticed. David hated how he had acted in haste. His fingers slid across the screen.

Sorry. I’ve a lot on my mind. But I’ll wait.

The three dots danced at the bottom of text chain, showing Claire was reading his message and typing up a response.

It’s fine. Just go. It might be a while.

David sucked in the air. His back went rigid.

I want to wait with you. Where are you?

Back inside the auditorium to the left. You’ll see me with the other parents who are waiting.

I’m coming.

Ok

He slid his phone back into his pocket, pushing himself off the wall, David walked toward the back entrance of the auditorium. A few feet from the door, someone called his name. He turned toward the sound. Then unfortunately, his gaze landed on his ex-wife, Lauren, wrapped up in the arms of her new husband.

Jaw slack, David froze.

Lauren moved toward him, hand in hand with the guy who had taken David’s place. “I thought that was you.” Breathless, Lauren landed right in front of him. David had nowhere to escape. “What are you doing here?” She adjusted her purse strap, dropping her husband’s hand.

Zach, her new husband, wrapped a protective arm around her.

The sight of them together made David’s knees lock and hands form tight fists. “I should ask you the same thing,” replied David, forcing himself to breathe.

“Zach’s daughter was in the performance.” Lauren glanced over his shoulder and around the lobby. “Why are you here? Are you here with someone?”

David folded his arms protectively against himself. “I’m here with a date.” He fiddled with his watch, appearing to glance down at it, though he didn’t even register the time. “I need to get going. She’s waiting with the other parents for the dancers to come out.”

“She’s a parent too?” Lauren’s gaze searched his face for more information. David tried his best to maintain a neutral expression, avoiding giving Lauren even an ounce of anything. “Well…” Lauren huffed. “We’re headed there ourselves.”

David paused. Zach remained quiet, averting his gaze to anywhere but on him. Maybe Zach finally found his conscience, seeing that Lauren and Zach’s affair had broken up both of their marriages. But that might have been wishful thinking. Lauren on the other hand, seemed to hold zero guilt, pushing up her chin and squaring the shoulders of her skintight black dress.

Pressing for further information, Lauren asked in a voice meant to be innocent, “Does your date have a daughter too?”

His blood ran cold. David took the few remaining steps to the auditorium door. “Don’t do that,” said David over his shoulder.

Aggressively, David opened the door, nearly breaking his balance.

“Do what?” asked Lauren with a sickly-sweet voice.

Jaw tight, he replied, “Act like you care.”