Page 62 of Come Back to Me

Julie answers and her face softens when she sees it’s me. Her expression fills with concern. “Hey, Annie, Jack was here this morning looking for you. He looked… rough. Is everything ok?” she asks.

Not having the energy to get into everything, I force a smile.“Everything is fine. But I’m going away on a last-minute vacation. I’ll be gone about a week. I don’t want you to worry.”

“Oh, okay.” She narrows her focus on my eyes and I’m sure she can tell I’ve been crying. “Just call if you need anything. We’ll get your mail.”

She reaches out and draws me into a hug just as my Uber pulls up.

I clear my throat, forcing back more tears. “Thank you,” I manage to squeak out before I turn, grab my bags, and walk to the waiting vehicle.

My Uber pulls up and I load my bags in and buckle up. My text messages are still on “do not disturb” but I decide to check them one more time before I shut off my phone for the week.

I sigh when I look down and see the number of messages.

Joel: Hope you’re not still mad at me, just trying to be a friend.

Jack: Annie, please talk to me. Let me just explain.

Jack: I love you. I wouldn’t do that to you.

Jack: I’ve been a mess and an ass. I don’t deserve to explain everything from the last few weeks, but please let me.

Jack: Please, Annie.

Ben: Are you okay? Fitz called and told me what happened…

Shayna: Annie, what can I do? What do you need? Ben told me what happened.

Jack: Where are you? I was just at your house and you’re not home. It’s 7am… Did you not sleep at home???

Janie: I just dropped you off at home, just testing that you aren’t checking text messages…

Jack: Please, Annie. Call me, I’m worried about you.

Janie: I mean it! Quit checking your messages! I love you, babe.

I decide the only way I’m going to get any peace between now and when I board my flight—and not wanting my friends to worry—I send a quick text message to Ben and Shayna so I can turn my phone off.

Me: I’m okay. I can’t talk about it right now. I’m leaving town for a bit. I’m safe. Janie knows how to reach me in a genuine emergency. My phone will be off. I hope we can remain friends even though things are over with Jack and me.

JACK

I pace back and forth, nearly losing my mind that Annie has returned none of my texts or calls. I have to explain to her I would never intentionally hurt her. Though how I can expect to convince her to believe me after what a distant prick I’ve been these last two weeks, I’m not sure.

There’s a knock on my door, and then I hear someone letting themself in. Gracie’s wagging her tail, so I know it’s no one to be alarmed about. When I look up, Ben’s walking in the door.

“Jesus, you look like hell,” he says.

“Screw you,” I answer, halfheartedly. “I had a shitty night.”

“Yeah, I heard all about it. What the hell, man? This isn’t you,” he continues.

“I didn’t do what she thinks, I just have to explain?—”

“Brother, it’s not just last night… It’s all of it. You’ve drunk more in the last two weeks than you literally have in all the last five years combined. You leave your girlfriend after Teddy’s funeral and don’t even tell her you’re leaving. And Chelsea…? Shit, I don’t even know where to start on that one,” he says, sounding pissed at me.

“My friend di—” I start, raising my voice now.

“Yes, Teddy died—” he interrupts me. “And it’s sad and fucking tragic. It really is. But do you really think you’re honoring him by trying to self-destruct? Is that what he said he wanted you to do in his letter? Because that doesn’t sound like Teddy!” he yells.

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