Five minutes later, she called.
“Don’t give up, Keri!”
I sniffled. “You didn’t see him. You didn’thear what he said.”
“Do you think that I’ve never had a break upbefore?”
I didn’t really think about it. We werepretty young to have our hearts broken in two. “No, I guess I neverreally thought about it.”
“Well, I have, and it’s no picnic. It reallydoesn’t sound like he’s done with you.”
“It sounded pretty final to me.” I walked tomy door and went to the hall bathroom, grabbing the box of Kleenexoff the back of the toilet. “He was mad.”
“Of course he was. It had to be awkward, Imean… Think about how hard it was for you, and then doublethat.”
I tried to see what she was getting at, butI didn’t know what she was talking about. “Why double?”
“Because he thought you were with some otherguy, Keri. You don’t just forget that.”
I sighed. I knew exactly what she wastalking about because Payton had a girlfriend. He’d had agirlfriend for six months, and she knew about him being in thehospital. She probably nursed him back. “Speaking of that.”
“I know, Patti,” Alexis said, and thensighed. “We’ll get you through this. Did you talk to your mom aboutus staying?”
“I did, but I don’t want you to think youhave to rush over.”
“Listen, girl, I want to come over. It’s notjust for you, it’s for me, Todd, and of course, the greatergood.”
Alexis always made things sound so muchbetter. “The greater good?” I laughed, and walked back over to mybed and sat down.
“Yeah, we’re going to get you back togetherwith Payton by the end of this summer if I have to super glue youboth.”
I laughed at the picture that brought to mymind and wondered if somehow Alexis could do that. “How do youthink you’re going to accomplish this?”
“Trust me… I’ve had a boyfriend for a lotlonger than you had, and I know a little about manipulating.”
I giggled at that. “Where’s Todd, by theway?”
“Oh,” Alexis groaned. “He’s playing poolwith my dad in the garage. I’m not allowed to see him after nine.Mom says it’s good for my soul or something.”
“I really have to meet your mom,” I said,laughing, and then wondered if she was a hippy.
“Yeah, she’s special. So, what’s your momlike?”
I smiled, thinking about last year beforeThanksgiving when Mom found out that I was totally head over heelsin like with Payton. “She’s pretty great.”
“Does she dabble in Pink Floyd or TheGrateful Dead?”
I laughed; my assessment must not have beentoo far off. “Um, no. I’m from Texas, remember? Cowboy boots andCountry music all the way.”
“Oh my gosh, I totally forgot about that. Idon’t know how I forgot about Payton and his hat and boots.”
I smiled at the memory of Payton driving upto school to see me last year. It seemed like a lifetime away.“Yeah.”
“Don’t sound so sad; we’re going to figurethis out.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so. Listen, I can hear my mom. Ibetter get off the phone. I can’t wait to see you. I’ll let youknow tomorrow what’s going on.”
“Okay,” I said, and yawned. “Goodnight.”
“Night.”
Maybe Alexis was right; maybe if I triedhard enough, I could repair this rift between Payton and I.
Payton
I got in my truck shortly after seeing Keriat our spot, and drove to my apartment. My new place was small, andabove George’s garage. It wasn’t anything special, but it was free.All I had to pay was utilities and work the books.
When I pulled into the driveway, I sawPatti’s car. I nodded. Yep, it was just going to be one of thosenights.
I got out of my truck, and she immediatelygot out of her car. “Where’ve you been?” she asked quietly.
I didn’t feel like being called any morenames tonight. I blew out a breath that I didn’t realize I washolding and replied, “Mom and Dad’s. Dinner.”
Patti’s eyes widened. “You were there? How’dit… Is everything okay?”
I shouldn’t feel good about her worryingabout me, but I did. “Yeah, it was fine.”
“Really?” she asked. She had mascara downthe side of her face from crying.
I sighed. “Yeah. Are you okay?”
Patti nodded and came toward me with herarms wide. I went into them, and she hugged me. “I’m so sorry,Payton. I love you.”
I swallowed, and felt bad. Patti didn’tdeserve a guy like me. “I’m sorry, too,” I said. “I didn’t want tofight with you.”
“I didn’t either, I just… When I think aboutwhat you looked like in December, I just go crazy.” Patti squeezedme tightly and kissed my cheek. “I don’t want to go throughsomething like that again.”
“I don’t either,” I said, and I didn’t. I’dnever felt so bad in my life like I did that night. Those nights.Hell, I couldn’t remember the entire month of January.
“Can we go inside?” Patti asked, and thengrabbed my hand. “I can do that thing that you like.”
I took a deep breath and smiled. “You don’thave to.”
“I kind of do… I mean, I called you and yourbrother names.”
I laughed, thinking about what she said inthe office. She went nuts in there. “You were in a rare mood,that’s for sure.”
Patti giggled, and I put my free arm aroundher. “Okay, I’ll let you do that thing, but, you have to let me doit to you, too.”
Patti’s eyes lit and she licked her lips.“I’d like that.”
I nodded, and I followed her up the stairsto my apartment. I didn’t want to think about Keri anymore. Ididn’t want to love someone like that ever again.
“So, are we back together?” Pattiasked as we were lying in each other’s arms an hour later.
I leaned toward her and kissed her forehead.“Yeah.”
“Good.”
At that moment, I closed my eyes, and sawKeri without her bra on in the tree fort, and wished that I wassuccessful months ago when I tried to end it all.
Chapter Four
* WorkingGirl…*
The bad thing aboutcoming home and having a grand plan in getting your boyfriend back,is not having enough money to pay attention, let alone rebuild adamned tree fort. I grabbed the paper off the dining room table andsearched through the want ads.
