Love Resolution

Alone in the small tropically themed lobby of the Half Moon Inn in San Diego, Avery picked at the threads in the colorful floral pattern of the cushion on the rattan chair while she waited for her ride to arrive. A fish tank bubbled softly behind her. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back, trying to allow the soothing sounds to quiet her unsettled mind.

Her thoughts drifted back to the events of the previous night. After her conversation with Marcus, she had watched him leave the party with Owen and Wendy, jealousy sinking its razor sharp claws deep into her heart. She’d moved toward the door to go sulk in her room when Bryan had stepped in front of her. “Is everything ok?” he’d asked. “You look upset.”

“I’m fine. Just tired.” She had started to walk around him, but he had grabbed her arm. “Let go of me,” she’d told him, enunciating each word carefully, her irritation bleeding over into her tone. “Go on back to your skanky groupies and leave me the hell alone.”

Eyes narrowed, he’d had no answer to that and given her venom, it’d been no great surprise that he’d complied with her wishes.

Back in the swanky white on white California beach themed room at the C Beverly, she’d endured yet another sleepless night, this one even worse than the previous as she’d lain awake wondering if Marcus had taken Wendy to his bed.

I’d use a different word.

She’d eventually moved out to the lounger on her balcony. Putting her earbuds in, she had scrolled up the volume trying to drown out her tortured thoughts, anxiously waiting for the sunrise.

After that, she had successfully avoided contact with Marcus as well as everyone else, boarding the plane well ahead of them and locking herself in the bedroom. If he’d been with Wendy, she hadn’t wanted to know and couldn’t have borne the pity from the others. Mentally, she had held it together, but just barely. Scratching off each hour she’d endured. Hoping that when the time finally came to talk, Marcus would tell her this had all been a big mistake. But the evidence against that happening was becoming impossible to ignore, and as that had started to sink in, her thoughts had become increasingly negative.

Face it.

He’s moved on.

It’s over.

There’s nothing left to save.

She should have been used to people checking out on her when she needed them most. No one ever loved her enough to stay. First, her father after her mom died, then Justin with the drugs, and now Marcus.

Intentional or not, each time she ended up feeling emptier than the last. It was getting harder and harder to pick up the pieces and go on. She was beginning to wonder if she should trust anyone with her heart.

“Good morning.”

Startled, Avery swiped at her eyes before looking up.

Bryan stood in front of her wearing low hanging jeans and a corded navy shirt, his faux hawk perfectly styled with gel. He set down a guitar case.

“Morning,” she mumbled, cheeks flagging with red, remembering the last words she’d spoken to him.

The cushion sank down as he sat beside her. “When’s our ride coming?”

“What?”

“Our ride,” he spoke the two words loudly as if she was hard of hearing and raised a brow. “To the high school in Epicida. It hasn’t been cancelled, has it?”

“No, but I really didn’t expect you to still come. I mean I know we talked about it before, but after the way I acted last night.” She blew out a breath and looked him in the eye. “I’m sorry by the way.”

“Apology unnecessary, but accepted. Dammit Red, I’m new to this friend business, but I’d be a real shitty one if I abandoned you the first time you said an unkind word to me, don’t you think?”

She nodded, attempting a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Why’d you bring your guitar?”

“I thought I might play something. The kids in LA kept asking us to.”

“Yeah, I remember.”

“Well, why don’t you go get yours, and then we’ll come up with something to do together on the drive over?”

She hesitated. “I don’t know if that would be such a good idea.”

“Avery.” He swiveled to put a hand on her shoulder. “Why don’t you do what you wanna do for a change?”

“You’re right.” Her chin lifted. “I’ll get my guitar and be right back.”