Page 44 of Every Now and Then
“But…” I prod expectantly.
“Maybe it’s better this way.” She shifts on the couch, wincing. “In your memories, you put Hayes on a pedestal. He became someone special and significant to you, but in reality, he probably won’t live up to your expectations.”
I snag the wine bottle off the coffee table and refill my glass. “Elaborate, please. You were always so gung-ho for me to find Hayes.”
“That was when I assumed Hayes was a normal, average guy, not the lead singer of a popular band. Hayes has been in the tabloids some over the past few months because of his dating life.” She raises her eyebrows. “According to the stories in the media, Hayes doesn’t do serious.”
My face falls at her words. As soon as I found out he was famous, part of me assumed Hayes had a colorful past, but a larger part of me hoped I was wrong.
“I can tell that I’ve upset you. I'm sorry. I just want to protect you.”
“The night we met, he said he’d broken up with a girlfriend and that they’d dated a year. He did serious then.” I counter.
Gah, I’m trying to defend him, which is a bad sign. Whether I’m willing to admit it or not, I’m already in deeper than I’d like.
With a grimace, Laura points out, “And he had sex with you the same day that he broke up with her.”
Damn, when she puts it like that…
16
Hayes
Now
Last night, after I dropped Annabelle off at her friend’s house, I came back to my condo and helped myself to a few fingers of whiskey, ignoring the incessant buzzing from my phone. Sitting on my balcony, drinking and thinking, the hours slowly ticked by until I finally rolled into bed in the wee hours of the morning.
I needed time to process what had happened before I started talking to friends about it. And receiving their unsolicited opinions. We’re as close to family as you can get without sharing blood, so they won’t hold back telling me what they think.
Last night was such a fucked-up, wonderful turn of events. In finding Annabelle again, I feel as though I’ve uncovered a vital part ofmyself that had been missing. Over the years, I’ve lost track of who I wanted to be, but Annabelle makes me want to be the best man I can be.
Someone worthy of her. Finding her and feeling the same magnetic force that I felt at Tank's put things in perspective. I realized how empty and shallow my life has become. Music, drinking, meaningless hookups. But none of those things fill the void that resides within my chest. Not like Annabelle does.
A year ago, she provided me inspiration, but now… Now that I've found her again, she'll become my future. I know it in my gut.
My phone lights up with another notification. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I sit up in bed and grab my phone from the nightstand. Reading the messages, I realize my friends are none too happy with my delay in responding to them. Tough shit.
Rowdy
Man, I’m so glad you found Annabelle. LMK how it goes.
You okay? Is everything good between the two of you? We’re here if you need us.
Dumber/Josh
Shit, I’m still in shock. Did you find Anna?
Rowdy
Don’t leave me hanging, man. All good?
Bailey
OMG! Fill me in. I can’t believe you foundher!!! Yippee!
Dumb/James
Want to meet for drinks tomorrow? I’m here for you. Love you, brother.
