Page 65 of The Off-limits Grump Next Door
***
As evening fell, the restlessness grew unbearable. I threw off the covers and grabbed my keys. A drive would help clear my head.
The night air was crisp and cool, a welcome contrast to the heat swirling inside me.
I had no destination in mind, but my subconscious led me to the park where I’d first held Kendra.
The bench, the swings, the trees—they were all the same. Yet everything felt so different now.
Sitting there alone, the ache of missing her grew stronger. My chest tightened, and the pain I had been trying to escape resurfaced with brutal clarity.
Needing a distraction, I started the car again.
A name flashed in my mind: Stephanie. We’d met at one of Jake’s events. She’d been persistent, and I had politely turned her down. But tonight… tonight, I needed something, someone, to make me forget.
I dialed Jake, cutting straight to the point. "Give me Stephanie’s number."
Jake hesitated. "Are you sure that’s a good idea? Have you spoken to Kendra?”
“There’s nothing more to say to her.”
“Then let her do the talking while you listen.”
"Just give it to me," I demanded, not in the mood for advice.
A few seconds later, the text came through.
My heart racing, I dialed her number, and when she picked up, her voice was a mix of surprise and flirtation. "Antonio? I wasn’t expecting to hear from you."
After a brief chat, we agreed to meet for dinner.
***
At the restaurant, I tried to focus on Stephanie—the way her laughter filled the air, how her smile sparkled under the dim lighting—but the more she talked, the more my mind wandered back to Kendra. Everything about this felt wrong.
As the evening dragged on, Stephanie noticed. "You’re distracted," she said gently. "Still thinking about Kendra?"
My fork paused mid-air. "How do you know about Kendra?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
Stephanie's smile was sympathetic. "Asheville's a small town, Antonio. Everyone knows what's happening with everyone."
My eyes narrowed, unsure how much she knew.
"Tell me," Stephanie pressed, her voice gentle. “What's the real reason I'm sitting with you tonight?”
I sighed, setting my fork down. "Well, I guess you already know. Kendra and I are… no longer on speaking terms.”
Stephanie's expression remained the same. "I can understand why you're hurt. But, Antonio, you are still obviously deeply in love with her.”
I didn’t deny it. "Yeah," I admitted, my voice low.
“But it does. Maybe you should talk to her. I'm guessing you've not heard her side of the story.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that?! There's nothing to hear.”
Stephanie gave me a sad smile. "I get it. You’re not ready to move on, and that’s okay. Just… take care of yourself."
Her words stung with truth. Even in this attempt to forget, Kendra still dominated my thoughts.
