Page 87 of The Recovery Coach
“It’s not forever,” she said, pleading with Jayden to understand.“I owed it to myself to test the waters one last time.”
Jayden let her statement hang between them.Olivia ran her fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp in a way that should have relaxed her, but wasn’t the same when she did it to herself.
He sighed.“Tell me about this plan of yours.”
Olivia gave him a summary of Valentine and Jake’s meddling.To his credit, he kept quiet while she explained and sat with the idea for several moments before asking, “What if it doesn’t work?What if you go through all this trouble and end up right back where you started?”
She rubbed her temple.“I don’t have anything to lose here.I don’t have a job, or a house, or a partner, or anyone to disappoint.I’m starting over.From scratch.If it doesn’t work, I’m no worse off than before.”
Jayden studied her, and in a rare moment of vulnerability with her brother, she let him.
“You want him bad, huh?”
“More than I have ever wanted anything in my entire life.I’ve been set on him since we were kids.We’ve survived my feelings before.We can do it again if we have to.”
“How much of your month do you have left?”
“A little over a week.But Valentine and Jake are traveling for most of it.”
“Do you think it’s working?”
“You tell me,” she said.
Jayden bit his thumbnail.“Maybe.He sounded bummed out when I talked to him.”
Olivia groaned.“I hate when he’s bummed out.”
“Are you going to spend some time with him while Valentine and Jake are gone?”
“A little, at least,” she said.“I need to work on job applications, though.Connor doesn’t need me anymore.I’ve got to find something new.”
They spent another hour on the phone talking about her job prospects and Jayden’s life.They laughed at inside jokes and made light of all the shit they were both dealing with.She ended the call more optimistic about life.
Being nervous in her own home seemed dumb.She should not be hiding away in her bedroom.She could act normal around Connor.Butterflies filled her tummy when she contemplated the next few days with him.
Connor and Olivia hadn’t spent a significant amount of time alone together in weeks.She’d been dying to get him to herself, and she had a feeling he needed the same.
Valentine and Jake were on their road trip, but they had instructed Olivia to “tempt” Connor.That word felt icky, but she could get behind the sentiment.
After the first night of their trip, they demanded an update.Their entire plan was for Olivia and Connor to hang out.She loved these idiots and didn’t have the heart to tell them that didn’t constitute a plan.
Team Lazy
Valentine
Sooo, how’d it go?
Jake
Tell us EVERYTHING
You know nothing is going to happen while he thinks I’m dating his best friend, right?He would never.
Valentine
Not the point
It was normal.
