Page 111 of The Meeting
“We just decided it would be best to make sure this is what we want.”
He didn’t want to tell her that her constant mention of Allison was a factor. It wouldn’t help things at this point. It would only hurt her feelings, and she had already apologized enough.
“Chase, you don’t have to say we. I know you were crazy for that girl. It was her decision, huh?”
He sighed. “Yes. I understand why, though. She just got out of a nine-year relationship. The guy was cheating on her with one of her closest friends. She’s been through a lot, so she wanted to pull back to make sure she didn’t get into this relationship for the wrong reasons.”
“I can understand that.”
“I can, too. But it doesn’t make it any easier. I still want to see her and call her, but I can’t. I can’t make it harder on her and I need to know she is going to come back with a clear head and not because I’m making it difficult.”
He could picture his mom sitting in her recliner as she listened to all of his problems. “She’ll come around. When you were here, she told me you brought out the best in her. She cares a lot about you. I’m sure this is just to make sure she doesn’t hurt you.”
He laughed, although it was empty.
“I hurt now,” he said, softly.
“I know you do. Just trust that it’ll work out.”
“Thanks, Mama.”
“You’re welcome, baby. Now tell me about your day. How have you been doing otherwise?”
And with that, his mom was able to take the focus off his pain for just a short while.
28
It had been over a week since their split, and Kailynn didn’t feel like getting out of bed. She had only seen Chase the one time a few days after their breakup, and she ached to see him again.
After she finally talked herself into getting dressed and pulled on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt, Maddie knocked on her door. Kailynn pulled it open and Maddie only stared at her before looking at the number on the door and then back at Kailynn.
“Hi,” Maddie said.
Kailynn waved and pulled the door open wider to let Maddie in. Maddie’s response was justified, as Kailynn hadn’t put on any makeup and was sure she resembled the walking dead.
“Are you feeling okay?”
Kailynn sighed. “I’m not sick. I’m just… yeah.”
They walked to the office in the spare bedroom and sat at their respective desks. Maddie set all of her belongings down before swiveling in her chair to look at Kailynn, who was threading her sewing machine for the next project.
“Can I help?” Maddie asked.
Kailynn knew she was talking about her mood and not the machine. The two of them had already chatted like old friends on many occasions, but Kailynn always wondered if she would cross a line by divulging too much information about her love life.
Fuck it.
“I don’t know,” Kailynn whined. “I think I screwed up.”
“With… Chase?”
Kailynn dropped her head in her hands. “That obvious, huh?”
“For the last week you’ve seemed down. But today, it’s much worse. I could only assume it’s relationship related.”
Kailynn glanced down at her attire. Last week she at least attempted to get dressed and put on a happy face, but today, she didn’t even try. Trying was too hard.
Maddie continued, “I just figured there wouldn’t be much else that would get you this down. What happened?”
