Page 5 of So Worth More
had happened with Will last week. Never having been a fan of the guy in the first place, this would forever keep him on her shit list. That list was long and getting off of it took some serious amount of work.
Giving her a dinner invitation soothed ruffled feathers. Avoiding Abby when she figured something was wrong wasn’t an option. Some sort of twin sense must have activated on the weekend as she had been blowing up our chat all week before I’d relented and agreed to a face to face. I’d even tried inviting Josh to our dinner in the hopes that her boyfriend would be a buffer but he’d point blank refused, knowing that Abby was on a mission to work out what was wrong.
The restaurant that we met at was a firm favorite and reminded us both of the one that mom had worked at. Sometimes it was bitter-sweet, especially on the days that her loss was still fresh. Today though, I knew that our mom would be proud of what we’d achieved. College degrees, stable-ish jobs, homes and a loving relationship, in Abby’s case. Josh literally worshiped the ground she walked on. Had since the first day they met in college. The only bone of contention was that Abby wouldn’t marry him.
Expecting Abs to be late as usual, caught up in some project or other, I took our usual booth and ordered when the server approached. The buzz in my pocket made me smile, expecting a text from her to say that she was running late, or was on her way. Glancing at the screen I was surprised to see a text from Will, a reply to the one I had sent earlier in the day.
Andy - Just letting you know that between us, James and I have all your current projects up to date. Hope you feel better soon.
Will - Thanks, I appreciate that. Less to worry about for Monday.
Less to worry about?That was confusing, what did he mean? I sat, lost in thought about what Will had meant, until my sister plonked herself down in the booth opposite me.
“Hey you, sorry I’m late,” she said, not looking very sorry at all. She looked a little harried, like I’d interrupted her, like this dinner hadn’t been planned for most of the day.
“What’re you working on?” I asked since my mind was drawing a blank on what was running in the theater that she usually worked at. Abigail was starting to get a name for herself, which made me very proud, knowing how talented she was and how hard she worked.
“Oh there’s a new Shakespeare reworking planned, but they’re taking the costuming in a different direction than you’d think. Kinda futuristic dystopian, with a lot of recycling of materials. It’s weird but it’s so fun coming up with concepts! This time they’re going with a couple of my drawings!” Abby was practically vibrating out of her seat, excitement shining and I could only smile at her.
“I’m so proud of you, and mom is too, wherever she is, I’m sure of it,” I told her. I could see her eyes fill up a little, but she pushed back the tears as the server approached to take her order.
Dinner went on as normal. We did this as often as schedules and budgets allowed, and often Josh tagged along. I really liked the guy, it was hard not to. Although he had been one of those jock types that smaller guys like me tried to avoid, he didn’t fit that stereotype. Tall, dark and handsome, sure, but also smart, kind and devoted to my sister. Josh worked as an elementary school teacher, ran the after school homework club once a week, and also coached soccer.
For the majority of the meal it looked like she wasn’t going to press, that Abby hadn’t noticed that anything was off with me, but I must have been acting a little twitchy. We managed to get to dessert without her interrogating me. She must’ve been trying to lull me into a false sense of security because when she asked, “What’s Will done now?” I broke straight away and told her everything over our slices of lemon cheesecake.
Seeing her frown, and knowing how concerned she was, made me feel awful. I knew if Josh was treating her the same way, I’d be livid, but there was just something about Will that had me putting up with it. Time and time again he sucked me back into our dysfunctional whatever, it certainly couldn’t be called a relationship. Will was allergic to them.
“Look, this time it’s really different. I’ve ended it. Made it absolutely clear. I can show you the messages if you want. He knows it too. We’re done,” I said firmly, while she gave me a gentle smile.
“Ew no, I don’t want to see what you two send to each other.” I let out a loud laugh that startled other diners, some turned to look at us. Abby let out a little giggle at my expression and covered her face while I went red with embarrassment. “Nah, Will didn’t like to leave a trace of us being anything more than colleagues or even work out buddies,” I muttered, wrinkling my nose a little with distaste. I really was fucked up for letting him get away with it for so long.
“Will you be okay?” She asked me. “I’m worried about you after last time.”
I nodded at her, trying to look confident. I had to work with Will, I knew that getting into anything with him when we started could end up with me having to leave Parker’s, but I did it anyway. I’d been there since straight out of college and worked my way up. It’d taken years of crazy hard work, long hours and crap pay. To risk all that for Will really said something. Somehow, I didn’t think it would come to that. If things got too uncomfortable at work, I think Will would leave before I did.
Abby was intently studying me from across the table. The low hanging lights above us showed the reds and browns in her dark hair. Her brown eyes narrowed as she thought something through. Taking a breath, she started to say something and then stopped, clearly reconsidering.
“Okay,” she started before she paused again. She gave her head a little shake and continued, “I think this really is it for you this time. I know you’ve said so before but thereissomething different about it this time. I think he really hurt you.” Abs held up a hand as I went to interrupt her. “He did, don’t deny it. You’ve always had more in this messed up whatever than he did and you should just admit that. You felt or maybe still feel something for him, but this weekend was the breaking point, or maybe you’ve just finally realized you are so worth more. Maybe now’s the time to break your pattern. I think I should give you some dating help, since I’m clearly better at it than you.”
This time I couldn’t help chiming in, “Uh no, you and Josh were fate or some shit. It doesn’t make you better than me at dating.”
I gave her a smirk, but she fired back, “Yet, if you think back on all the guys you’ve dated, there are only one or two that weren’t creeps or awful.”
She paused for a second then continued as if I hadn’t butted in to question her expertise, “So, I think that maybe in a few weeks, once you’ve had a little time, you’ll be ready to move on and I have someone for you!” She looked a little giddy as she said the last part and I could only groan and put my head in my hands. Sensing I was about to say no, she cut in, “Not yet, obviously. Can’t waste him on you if you aren’t going to stop seeing Will. Jonas deserves better, but I think that you two would really hit it off.” She really sounded smug now.
I raised my head and gave her a calculating look. “Jonas? As in Jonas Temper? From that sci-fi show that finished a little while ago?” Now she looked ready to gloat, knowing that I’d had a bit of a crush on him since I’d seen him in the show. Hell, I’d only stuck out the last abysmal season because of his character.
“That’s the one,” she practically sang. I was never going to live this down, she had me.
“So basically, you’re in the position to set me up with my dream man, but are holding that over me until I do what you want?”
Her grin slipped with my words. My tone had meant to be teasing, but I think I was still too raw after admitting how bad things had gotten. How little self worth I apparently had. “Andy, no, it’s not like that. I just don’t want to set you up with someone, anyone, when you aren’t ready to let Will go. You usually justify what he says and does,” she started pleading with me, “I just want you to be happy and I don’t think he’s it for you. I’d go full on Stabby mode if you’d let me, but you won’t.” She pouted. “Give it a couple of weeks and then maybe you’ll be ready for someone else. Maybe Jonas will be that someone.” Abby looked upset that she had hurt my feelings, but I knew she was right. Meeting anyone right now would be a mistake because I wouldn’t be able to give them a fair chance.
I looked her straight in the eyes as I said gently, “You’re right. Now isn’t the time.” She gave me a smile and a laugh as I insisted she tell me everything about how she knew Jonas. Why he was in the city, and all about her new projects. We talked until late, ordering coffee after our generous cheesecake slices were demolished and only heading out when the servers asked us politely to leave. Josh was there to meet her and they took me home before taking off to their cozy place.
As I got ready to sleep, I kept my thoughts away from Will. When I got comfortable in bed, sleep didn’t feel miles away as it had all week.Nothing like having a hot guy as an incentive to stay on the right path,I thought with a smile just as sleep took me.
Five - Will
