The truck roared as he turned around and sped off, leaving a cloud of dust behind him. I screamed out loud in anger as I picked up one of the lone baseballs and hurled it at the bricks. Why was this so hard? Why couldn’t my heart believe the words he was telling me? Maybe, just maybe, we’d broken ourselves past the point of repair.
Chapter 26Riley
The days began to blur together as time crawled by. Caleb has done exactly what he said he would do. He’s given me space. I see him whenever I go to the gym, but he doesn’t approach me. We’re back to the weird stares that we used to share before all this started. The only difference is we don’t talk now. Claire called me yesterday, and invited me to a party. She’s been on vacation the last week, but a friend from school is throwing a party to celebrate the end of summer. I leave for school in a week, and I’m not ready. I’m not ready for anything to change. Actually. I’m ready to stop hurting if that’s what I’m doing now. Some days I just feel numb.
“So, are you coming?” Claire’s voice chirped through the phone.
“I don’t know. I’m not really in a partying mood.” I sighed.
“You need to stop moping and get back out there.” She laughed and I heard her bed squeak. “I mean, there are tons of guys, and if Caleb wasn’t the one, then we need to find you a new one. Besides, we can have fun without dates.”
“I just think I’d be a downer,” I mumbled.
“Please,” Claire begged. “I’ll drive and I’ll make sure you get home ok.” She paused and when I finally gave in, she laughed. “I’ll pick you up at seven.” The line went dead, and I knew I’d lost her at that point. I sighed as I turned to look at my closet. Nothing seemed right and I wondered why I even cared what I looked like. It was the beach, and it would be dark. Everyone there was going to be someone from school. It would be the same crowd that always came to these celebrations.
My parents were both at the gym today, and Easton was hanging out with a friend. It felt weird being home alone, but Mom knew that I really didn’t want to be at the gym all day. I’d been forcing myself to go these last few days just because I needed to be around him. Each time it was a little easier, but I’d only been doing it in small doses. All day would be overkill.
After convincing myself that this party would be fun, and I’d survive a night with friends, I spent the rest of it lounging on the couch watching movies. It seemed like a good idea when I started, but when I found myself watching a movie that Caleb and I had seen in California, the waterworks started. It wasn’t even a sad movie, but as the scenes played out, I remember how we cuddled in bed watching it, how Caleb ordered us food, and we spent the evening lying there while he comforted me. I wrapped the blanket on my lap tighter around me, and sniffed back a sob. It was then that my phone vibrated on the table. I wiped at my eyes before glancing at the caller ID. Caleb’s name flashed, and anger surged inside. I hit reject before tossing it back in its place. I’d trained myself this week to be mad instead of hurt when I saw him. He lied to me, and I needed to remember that.
I waited to see if he’d leave a voicemail, but the notification never lit up. I turned off the TV before storming up to my room. I angrily swiped at clothes in my closet, looking for something to wear. Tonight was suddenly looking positive. Claire was right. I needed a new someone, and I might just find him on the beach.
oooooooooCaleb
“What are you doing?” My dad shook his head at me when he rounded the front desk.
“Working,” I grumbled. I’d been trying to keep busy while looking for Riley all day. She normally stopped by around this time, but today she was a no show.
“You’re not fooling me, son,” he tsked before leaning against the counter. “You’ve been watching her all week. You love her. It’s all over your face.”
“Well, she doesn’t love me.” I sighed. “If she did, she would have forgiven me by now. I don’t even know why she’s still mad.” I propped my elbows on the counter and ran my fingers through my hair. “I don’t think it was that big of a deal.”
“Did you ever think she might feel the same way?” He laughed lightly but stopped when I glared at him.
“You’re not making sense,” I grumbled.
“Let me tell you what I know about women, and I promise it’s not much.” He laughed before it turned into a sigh. “Sometimes women get mad at us, and it turns into something else. By the time we figure out what they’re mad about, its nothing about what started the argument. You following me?”
“Huh?” My mouth twisted as I attempted to understand him.
“She said she was mad you lied.
