You make a better friend than boyfriend.
I just need some time alone.
It’s not you, it’s me.
Good grief, could I get any cheesier? Maybe I should just tell him the truth.
I met a Viking warlord who stole my heart. If you have issues, please take it up with him.
Frustrated, I laid my makeup aside and instead grabbed my hairbrush. All this worrying over Brent was silly, really. I needed to focus on more important things, like how to find Mochazon and the Everbloom.
I stuffed the Faythander texts in my bag right as the doorbell rang, and then I stood at the door for a few moments without opening it. Why was I so nervous? Brent wasn’t the guy for me. He never had been. It was better for him and for me if we parted ways. He didn’t even like me. Not really. I mean, we hadn’t done anything couple-ish in months. He hadn’t bought me flowers or candy or anything. We were more like siblings than a couple. I recited that mantra in my head as I opened the door.
Brent stood on the landing with his dark hair artfully mussed, beaming his radiant white smile, wearing his name-brand polo and pressed khakis, smelling of his expensive cologne, but I barely noticed him. I was more focused on the bouquet of red roses.
Crap.
He smiled. “You look nice.”
I wanted to pound my head against the door. “Thanks,” I mumbled.
“These are for you.” He handed the flowers to me.
“Oh, they’re… pretty. I’ll just put them in some water.” I hurried into the kitchen and found a vase, filled it, and put the bouquet on the counter. Their fresh floral scent filled the room. The rose petals were a deep red that matched my sweater. Why did he have to bring flowers? Why? Just when our relationship was taking a nosedive.
Stupid, stupid flowers. Stupid Brent for bringing the stupid flowers.
Brent held out his arm as I stepped outside and locked the door behind me. He escorted me to his Honda. The crisp December air smelled faintly of sea salt as we made our way to Brent’s car. In the distance, I heard the ocean waves rushing to shore. The sky was cloudless and brilliant blue without a trace of haziness. Brent didn’t talk as he opened the car door for me and ushered me inside. Then, he climbed in on his side and started the engine. Just like old times.
Why was I here? Why was I doing this?
He chitchatted all the way to Mom’s house as if we’d only been apart for a few days. I mumbled responses when necessary, my hands clenched and sweaty in my lap and my heart beating loudly in my ears.
“You’re quiet today,” he said as we turned into my mom’s driveway.
“Am I?”
“Yeah. Is something wrong?”
“No. I’m all right.”
We exited the car and walked toward Mom’s porch. Her stone-and-brick house was one of the nicest places in her pricey neighborhood. Although I’d lived there through my teenage years, it had never felt like home. It was a sterile place full of little emotion. How could a place like that ever feel like home?
Mom opened the door. Despite her unusual phone message, she didn’t look any different. Her makeup had been neatly applied. She stood tall and beamed a radiant smile. Perhaps I’d been concerned over nothing. She let us inside and ushered us to the kitchen, exchanging pleasantries with Brent as we went. We ate lunch as usual, as if nothing had changed. Mom sat with her customary smile, her auburn hair long and stylish and her silk blouse and checkered skirt without a wrinkle. It wasn’t until we moved into her living room that I noticed something off.
Under the sunbeams streaming through her cathedral windows, I noticed an elven statue sitting on her end table.
I stopped as Mom and Brent sat on the couches.
Mom raised an eyebrow. “Olive, wouldn’t you like to sit down?”
I couldn’t move. My eyes were fixed on the statue.
“Olive?” she repeated.
“I… umm—yeah, I’m coming.” I sat between Brent and the figurine. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe she’d gotten it as a gift or something.
“Well, Olive, has Brent told you his news?”
“News?” I asked.
“Yes, Kasandra. Thanks for reminding me.” He cleared his throat. “Olive, I tried to tell you sooner, but you were gone.”
“So what’s the news?”
“I’ve started taking night classes. Officer training school. I’ve always wanted to be a cop, but I always found an excuse not to. You’ve inspired me, Olive. I realized that I would rather follow my dream than be tied to a job I didn’t really care for.”
This came as a shock. Brent had landed one of the most sought-after jobs in Houston as one of its leading architects. Mom couldn’t be happy about this. She liked Brent because of his paycheck… right?
“Isn’t it wonderful?” Mom asked.
Or maybe not.
“Yeah, it’s great. I’m just a little surprised. I had no idea that you wanted to be a cop.”
He took my hand in his. “I know I’ll be taking a pay cut. But since I’ve started taking classes, I’ve been really happy. Fulfilled, really.”
I couldn’t argue with him. I saw it in his eyes. He’d always seemed a little stressed, a little distracted and unhappy. But now, his eyes held a twinkle that I’d never seen before. Maybe this was a good thing. Maybe his new job would help him take our breakup a little easier. “I’m happy for you,” I said.
He squeezed my hand. “Thanks.”
The sunlight glinted off the elven statue, bringing my thoughts once again to the figurine’s presence. If it were a gift, why did it so closely resemble my father? Its long, dark hair was pulled into a ponytail at the base of its neck, the dark blue robes it was wearing, and even the tiny spell book it carried reminded me of him.
“When did you get this?”
