Provoked

by S. Donahue

That seems out of left field! Chase doesn’t look too happy with the comment.

  “Thanks, Parker. It’s good to see you, too. It’s been a long time.”

  As I’m sitting here, I receive a text message from my best friend, Erica. She was my only friend in high school, one of those people who were friends with everyone.

  How’s the date going with Mr. Hot Lacrosse Player?

  Horrible. Guess who showed up?

  Who?

  Parker.

  Seriously, is he still gorgeous?

  What do you think? Do they ever get ugly?

  Figures.

  I don’t want to be rude, so I’ll text you later.

  Bye, try to have fun.

  Doubt it.

  I answer Melanie’s text, as well, since I am bored to tears.

  How is Romeo? She texts.

  He drank the poison.

  What? You killed him?

  LMAO... No! I’ll tell you tomorrow.

  Do you need bail money?

  I KILLED NO ONE. I was joking.

  Phew I was nervous. See ya tomorrow. I’ll be up if you need me or money …bahahahaha.

  We sit in silence until Parker starts talking about the game. They both start screaming at the television. I become the third wheel in this bromance.

  “I think I’m gonna get going. I have to check into the office early.”

  “Are you sure? I want you to stay,” Chase says, getting up from his chair.

  “It’s okay. I’m tired.”

  “I’ll call you later. We’ll talk.” He winks.

  “Thank you for dinner. It was great.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  He walks me to the door. It is a very awkward situation. I like Chase. I hope it will work out, but I’m not sure how I feel about things. I’m kind of confused at the moment. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

  “Come here.” Chase grabs my arm and kisses me goodbye. “Call me when you get home, so I know you made it safe.”

  “I will.”

  I’m not sure if I even want to get involved with him. I know this wasn’t his fault… or was it planned? I’ll never know.

  A tear rolls down my face. I feel like I’m back in high school again, being made an ass out of by the popular kids. I get in my car and drive away, leaving behind any reminder of tonight.

  CHAPTER 19

  Chase

  I FEEL HORRIBLE. I don’t want Hailey to think I planned this, but let’s face it: the date didn’t go great.

  I plop into the chair and grab my beer off of the table. “What is it with me and women?” I ask P as he sits engrossed in the game.

  “Honestly?”

  “No lie.” I slam the beer back down.

  “You’re not over Megan. You cannot move forward until you get over her.”

  “I was going to ask her to move in with me. I was going to propose to her. It’s not that easy.”

  “Do you like Hailey?” he asks.

  “She’s a really nice person, and she’s beautiful,” I respond, avoiding the question.

  “What kind of answer is that?”

  “I don’t know how I feel. Obviously she’s gone, so she doesn’t like me too much, either.” I am conflicted; that’s all I know at the moment.

  “Maybe you’re just not compatible. Are you going to call her?”

  Ahh, the million dollar question.

  “I don’t think I’ll call her for another date. Maybe as a friend. I don’t know. What’s the point? She didn’t really seem interested in me. I have to talk with her. I think I wooed her just as a way to fight my Megan demons. It’s hard to get over Megan when she calls me every damn day. I mean I really can’t stand Megan, but I still think about the things we shared, the memories.”

  “I can talk to Hailey for you,” P offers.

  I look at him skeptically. “What’s your intention?” I ask.

  “Nothing. I just figured you didn’t want to deal with it.”

  “You’re lying. You can’t look at me. Do you like her?”

  “She’s pretty,” he says, staring back at the television.

  “What kind of answer is that?” I say, mocking him. “Wait—are you here for a reason?”

  “Yeah, to watch basketball,” he says with a smirk.

  “Liar… You are so shady.”

  “Megan called me the other day.” P looks hesitant.

  “She did? What did she say? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “You’ve been so engrossed in trying to get Hailey that I didn’t want to get in the way of that.”

  “I guess I have been.”

  “Megan was crying. She said you’ve been ignoring her. She loves you. She’s sorry for what she did. She was feeling neglected by you and acted on it. She said lacrosse and your job are more important than her. I told her she needed to talk to you. She said you won’t answer her calls, so she took my advice and came here tonight, only to find Hailey’s car in your driveway.”

  I run my hand through my hair. “Good. She deserves that. To feel what I felt when I found out about her and that guy,” I say angrily.

  “She called me, hysterical, crying, and said she couldn’t handle seeing you with another woman. I told her I didn’t want to get involved, and she begged me to come here.”

  “So you did?”

  “Listen, you need to deal with this. Do you still love Megan?”

  “Yep, of course I do. I just don’t want to look at her. I don’t trust her.”

  “You need to talk to her instead of ignoring her and acting like this is going to go away on its own.”

  “I feel betrayed by her.”

  “I’m sure, but if she’s the one for you...”

  I know P is being serious at the moment, even though he is usually messing around and joking. He is right. I can’t go on like this.

  “I don’t know anything anymore,” I say, grabbing the remote to flip to Sports Center while a commercial plays.

  “If you do take her back, you need to make time for her.”

  “More than likely won’t happen. What are you, Dear Abby all of a sudden?” I joke.

  “Whatever. Can I have Hailey’s number?”

  “No. You’ll hurt her.” Like I should even be talking...

  “I will not.”

  “All I’m saying is that she owns McCormick Publishing Company.”

  “That’s all I need to know,” P says smiling.

  I sit back and drink my beer. I am at a confused point in my life, and it has to do with Megan. It’s not fair to bring others into the mess until I resolve my feelings for her.

  Hailey didn’t seem interested, anyway. She was more interested in her phone. I’ll just let the alcohol flow until I’m numb and then deal with it tomorrow.

  CHAPTER 20

  Parker

  CHASE HAS BEEN my best friend since we were born. Our parents are friends. We did everything together growing up. We played on the same t-ball teams, played video games together, celebrated each other’s birthdays. You name it, we did it. We were more like brothers. I would take a bullet for him. I give him advice and live my life through his. When he dated Carrie in high school, I told him numerous times to leave her. She wasn’t a nice person. He thought he was in love with her, so I supported his decision, even though I couldn’t stand her.

  The same thing occurred with Megan. I know Megan fucked up and hurt him, but he kind of forced her to do what she did. His life is lacrosse, and it comes before everyone… even me.

  When Megan called me and said someone was at the house, I was shocked, because we were supposed to watch the game together. I had a feeling it was Hailey who was over there when Megan described the car in Chase’s driveway. I could have left it alone and not gone to Chase’s house, but Megan was crying and begging me. I also went because it was an excuse to see Hailey. I think she is a cutie. Chase isn’t into her; he is just on the rebound from Megan.

  When I walked into the house and saw Hailey get
up from her chair and stand next to Chase, I felt some sort of attraction to her. I can’t describe it. I normally sleep with a woman once and then never call or have contact with her afterwards. I have never met anyone whom I have even remotely thought of dating. Chase and I are actually opposites in many ways. He, for one, likes to be in relationships, and it’s always with the wrong women.

  When I went into the living room, Megan texted me to ask if Chase was there with a woman. I had to think quickly. I told her that he was being interviewed for a possible story in a sports magazine. I shouldn’t have lied, but I don’t want to be put in the middle.

  I didn’t know what to say to Hailey when they entered the living room. The situation was so awkward. I waited a few minutes, then I kept it simple. I told her she looked great and that it was good to see her. That was the truth.

  After Hailey left, I told Chase what had happened with Megan. I also told him in so many words that I was interested in Hailey. I don’t believe he wants to be with her. I could be totally wrong, but he definitely would have fought harder if he did. I feel like I am ready to pursue Hailey further and see where it goes. I know I have a bad rep, but hopefully I can change that around and make her see that I really am a good guy.

  CHAPTER 21

  Chase

  PRIDE IS ONE OF MY downfalls in life. Being so heavily involved in sports makes you put your guard up. I learned to be tough and not to let anyone get the best of me.

  It’s been a week since my date with Hailey and I didn’t call her. I feel awful. I actually never heard from her, either. I did a lot of thinking this week. I thought back to my conversation with P. Some things just don’t make sense to me. Why does he continue to talk to Megan? Why would he want to date Hailey ten minutes after our date ended, one that he broke up? He could have a relationship with anyone.

  I really like Hailey, and I’m not sure why he was trying to convince me that I belong with Megan. I’m not going to lie: A part of me will always love Megan regardless of what happened between us. I haven’t called her, either. I was with her for a long time, but what Megan did to me made me hate her as a person. I don’t know if I can trust her ever again. I don’t think of Hailey as a rebound, but P made me think that’s what I am doing. When he said it, it did make some sense to me.

  Tomorrow I leave for California for five days. I need to make some serious decisions in my life. I’ve been offered an opportunity to own my own pharmacy, to purchase a franchise. I don’t want to commit to anything because of lacrosse. I also didn’t tell anyone other than my parents—not even P. My parents are very supportive of my decisions, because they know I’ll do what’s right for me. In order to purchase the pharmacy, I will have to quit lacrosse, obviously. This trip could possibly be my last lacrosse trip.

  ***

  There’s a big difference between my twenty-eight-year-old body and my eighteen-year-old body. I’ve had crazy practices and three games three days in a row. I’m battered and defeated. We lost this last game by three points. I have not been on top of my game lately.

  I slam my locker shut as my teammate John shakes his head.

  “Chase, come on. Don’t be so hard on yourself,” he says, patting me on the shoulder.

  “I have to, man. It’s the only way I get through it. I’ve just had a lot on my mind these past few months.”

  “Why don’t you come out with us tonight?” he asks. “We’re gonna hang out and get some beers.”

  “I’ll think about it. I don’t know. I’m tired.” All of a sudden my phone starts buzzing like crazy. “Excuse me, John, I need to take this.”

  Hailey is calling me, which is so weird because I haven’t heard from her. What is with the urgency to talk to me all of a sudden? I answer the phone.

  “Hailey?” She is going off on me like a woman out for blood. “Calm down,” I say, but she continues to yell. “What the fuck are you talking about? I’m in California. I’ll call you back when I get to my hotel room.”

  I hang up with her. Someone is going to have a lot of explaining to do.

  CHAPTER 22

  Hailey

  I TAP MY FINGERS on my desk while I reading over a manuscript submission. It puzzles me. It sounds so familiar. The author writes under a pen name, “M. Dorman.” They didn’t send any other information along with it, just a phone number. I pull up the Facebook author page and there are no clues there, either. I will have to set up a meeting just to see who is behind the name.

  I buzz Melanie into my office and she comes running.

  “You rang?”

  “Can you set up a meeting with this author? Here’s the phone number. Make it for two weeks from now—that’s when I can fit them in.”

  “On it.”

  “Thanks,” I say as she leaves my office.

  A few minutes later, she buzzes my phone. “There’s a guy on line one looking for you. He says his name is Parker.”

  “Interesting. Put him through.”

  It’s been almost two weeks since my date with Chase. If I never see either one of them ever again, it won’t affect me at all.

  “Hailey McCormick speaking,” I say, answering the phone as if I have no idea who is on the line.

  “Hi, Hailey! It’s Parker.”

  I roll my eyes. “What can I do for you, Parker? You have a best-selling novel for me?

  “Nah, I just wanted to see if I can take you out to lunch today,” he says, laughing.

  “I can’t. Maybe some other time. I’m really booked with meetings.”

  “Look, I know you’re all about Chase. He’s a good guy and all, but so am I.”

  This actually pisses me off.

  “I’m actually not all about Chase. I’m not all about anyone but my job,” I snap back.

  “Have dinner with me,” he pleads.

  “No.”

  “Then maybe just lunch?”

  “What do you want, Parker?”

  “Nothing. I just want to find out all about the great Hailey McCormick.”

  “There’s nothing to know. What you see is what you get.”

  “I’ll pick you up at one,” he insists.

  “I have a meeting.” He just doesn’t get it or take no for an answer.

  “Your secretary already told me you were open at one. I asked. I knew you would say no.”

  “Damn her,” I say under my breath.

  “See ya then,” he says and hangs up the phone.

  I can’t even call him back—I don’t know his phone number. I’m not in the mood to deal with Parker, Chase’s friend. I am so conflicted about Chase. We may have had a shot at it, but who knows? After the date we had, that’s not really an option. If Chase was really interested, he would have called me.

  Everyone has that one thing that they go to when they are upset, confused, or just out of sorts. Mine happens to be food. I have it under control, but there are times when it just defeats me. Today, I feel like eating a whole container of chocolate ice cream, but I have to ask myself is it really worth it? Do I want to gain weight again and relive that hellish nightmare that I went through? I may not have to deal with Carrie and company, but let’s face it—society as a whole is unaccepting to overweight people.

  I remove thoughts of ice cream from my brain and think of Parker. He is not a good idea. Mr. Bad Boy, himself. I’m not sure why he is being persistent. Some things you just never forget…

  ***

  It was May 2005. I walked into the sporting goods store with my dad. He needed to get equipment to coach my brother’s Little League team. While he stopped to look at bats, I wandered aimlessly through the store then focused intently on a pair of Adidas sneakers that I wanted.

  I thought I heard someone say my name, but I ignored it. Then I heard it again. I saw Parker standing at the end of the sneaker aisle. I had no choice but to speak to him, because he worked there.

  “Hi, Hailey,” he said, coming closer toward me.

  I looked at him like he had twelve heads. Was he
really talking to me? He was the second most popular guy at school, right behind his best friend, Chase.

  “Oh, hi,” I said with confusion.

  “Can I help you with something?” he asked.

  “No thanks, I’m just looking.” I just wanted to end the conversation quickly.

  “I work here, so if you need anything, just ask.”

  “Thanks.”

  He didn’t walk away… Great. That was me being sarcastic. He looked like he wanted to speak, but I opened my mouth first.

  “Well, I better go find my dad.”

  “Do you like Chase?” he blurted out.

  “He’s a nice person if that’s what you mean.” Where was he going with this?

  “I meant like him as in date him.”

  “No. Where did that come from?”

  “I just know about the encounters that you’ve had.”

  “And…,” I said.

  “He doesn’t have time for distractions. He loves Carrie. We also have a big game coming up. He doesn’t have time to go around being a hero.”

  “What are you saying, Parker?” He was starting to piss me off big time.

  “I think you should steer clear of Chase. You’re both different, and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

  I folded my arms over my chest. “Now you care about me. I don't need your sympathy or Chase's, for that matter. I can take care of myself.”

  “So you’re saying your tears are all an act?” he asked with an attitude.

  I was on the verge of tears. He had the situation all wrong. Was Chase saying all these things about me? He had to be. Where else would Parker get this information?

  “No, not at all.”

  “I think you like Chase and want him to yourself, but it’s not going to work.”

  I had had enough. I ran away from Parker and went out the door to get air. I had to keep telling myself that I would be out of school in four months.

  My dad peeked his head out the door. “Are you okay? I was looking for you. I saw you pacing back and forth.”