Page 13 of Never Really Over

How did I know?

Well, I suspected he was up to something that I wouldn’t like because of Jasper’s odd behavior, so I did what any self-respecting thirty-something woman would do.

I snooped on his phone.

I know, I know, not my finest moment but I hated feeling like I was losing my mind and needed the confirmation. Although, when I saw the texts between the two, it took me longer than I’d like to admit to fully grasp the idea of the man I’d planned to marry cheating on me.

“Layla! Did you hear me?”

I realize I’ve been quiet since she said Colt’s name and that can only mean one thing. She’s going to read into it.

“Yeah. I heard you, sorry. How’s he doing?”

“Oh, good. Good. He was there with a baby girl. She’s adorable.”

Colt has a baby? Why does that knowledge feel like a punch to the gut?

“Really?”

“Mm hmm. Her name is Poppy and he calls her Tootsie Pop.”

Of course he does. I wouldn’t expect anything less than an adorable nickname from Colt. And Colt a dad? I can’t imagine a better daddy.

“How old is she?”

“Less than a year. She has these cute little curls in her blonde hair. He’s completely in love.”

Okay, I was wrong earlier.Thatfelt like a punch to the gut. Obviously he’s in love if he has a baby. I mean, I suppose he could have a baby with someone he isn’t in love with, but that’s not how Colt is wired. If he’s going to start a family, it’s with the woman of his dreams.

I swallow down the lump in my throat and do my best to steady my voice. “That’s great. I’m happy for him.”

“He seems happy.”

Good. That’s good. I want him to be happy. He deserves it for sure.

“That’s good news,” I tell my mom with such little enthusiasm that it even sounds bitter to me. “Ugh, I’m sorry. It’s good that he’s happy and has a baby and in love. I know that.”

“But you still have feelings for a man you haven’t seen or talked to in over a decade,” she says. It’s not a question. She and I both know it. When I was engaged, she told me she’d support me but there was something in my eyes when I looked at Jasper that made her sad. Apparently I had a different look around Colt and she didn’t think Jasper was the man of my dreams. Turns out, she was correct. When I broke the engagement, I wasn’t devastated like I should have been. I assumed it was because I was so mad about him cheating on me but over time, I realized that it was because Jasper wasn’tthe one.

“Feelings? I’m not sure. But it’s a little tough to hear for some reason and that’s not fair of me. I just still wish things had been different.”

“They still can be. You said last week that you were considering moving home and that your time in Chicago was fun but you were ready for a change.”

“And live in Hollow Grove and what? Watch Colt live his happily ever after without me?” I pause and groan. “See what I mean? I sound bitter and like a brat.”

“Well, there’s something else I need to tell you.”

“More good news?” I tease.

“Just a second, Layla. The rain just started to come down really hard and I can’t see anything. I’ll call you back after I get home, okay?”

“Be safe, Mom. Love you.”

“I will. Love AHHH!—”

The line goes dead and I immediately panic, calling her back again and again.

Standing up, I start to pace around my apartment. I don’t know what to do or even how to find out what happened.

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