Page 48 of Where You Left Me

“I don’t know.”

“We’re supposed to be working on Bike and Beers.”

“Right, okay. I’ll meet you there.”

I release her underwear and she steps into them. She plants a kiss on my mouth before she gathers the rest of her clothes and hurries down the stairs, getting dressed in the process.

There’s a pit in my stomach. Our goodbye was rushed and a little awkward. It almost felt like a one-night stand. Though I’ve never been the one on the other end. I’ve always been the one doing the leaving.

I hate the way I feel right now.

Cammie

I’m not gonna tell you this is a bad idea. But I will ask if you think this is a good idea?

I just worry about you.

Maverick

Attaboy!

Rosie

It’s about time my girl got laid. Just too bad it had to be by you. What a disappointment.

That last texthas my brain spinning. How long has it been since Mia had sex? And who was it with?

I’d be an idiot to think I was her last. I’d be even more of an idiot to wish it.

If Mia told Cammie and Rosie that we hooked up, it probably means that at least she doesn’t regret it. It’s the only thing consoling my bruised ego after the way she rushed out of my apartment this morning.

It’s late afternoon and my shift doesn’t begin until 6 p.m. so I go against my better judgment and decide to pick up coffee and take it to Mia at work. Since I never finished putting my truck back together last night, I shuffle down Main Street toward Brew Box and avoid the Martin’s Hardware on the way.

And it’s not Dad I’m avoiding.

Cammie’s maternal instincts have kicked in now that Mia is back in town. Even though she has been close with Mia since we were all kids, I’m blood and she’ll always have my back. But it seems like ever since Mom passed away, Cammie has tried to mother me.

This time, I don’t need it. Mia and I are adults. We gotta figure this shit out on our own.

Tugging the brim of my hat down, I enter Brew Box and head straight for the counter. My shoulder slams into someone and I reach out to brace them so I don’t accidentally send them flying to the ground.

“Oh, hey, Jones,” Nico says, holding onto my forearm too before giving me a few pats on the back.

“Hey, sorry, man.”

We end our awkward run-in with a manly fist-bump.

Relief fills me that it’s Rosie’s boyfriend I’ve bumped into instead of Rosie. After a quick glance around the coffee shop, I don’t spot her. Don’t get me wrong, I love Rosie. But now, hours after Mia and hooked up is not the time I want to see her. She’ll give me shit and I don’t really have anything to give her shit back about right now.

“How are you?” Nico asks, heading behind the counter.

“I’m good. You?”

“I oughtta kick your ass for gettin’ me in trouble,” he says in a playful tone.

“I guess you shouldn’t have been loyal to me and should’ve told your girlfriend my secret. I don’t recall even asking you to keep it.”

He waves me off. “Nah, wasn’t my place to tell.”

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