How to Get Over Your Ex in Ninety Days

by Peel, Jennifer

  Capri started fanning me with her hand. “You okay, there?” She laughed. “He does look good.”

  I grabbed her hand amidst my flushness. “Stop. He’s coming over here.”

  He swaggered over, but for as good as he looked, his cowboy hat couldn’t hide the fact he was looking more worn down than ever. Was he sick? That thought made me feel ill inside. He wouldn’t keep that from me, would he? He sat down at our table. “Hi, ladies.”

  We both nodded our greetings.

  “You guys going to the game tonight?” He did his best to make small talk.

  “They better be.” Coach bounded up and answered for us. He slapped Jackson on the back, pushing him forward. That worried me. Jackson normally wouldn’t have moved an inch.

  I eyed him carefully and he caught me. He arched his eyebrow, but smiled. I smiled back, involuntarily, of course. That bolstered his courage. He reached out and placed his hand over mine. “I’m going to try and make it for the second half. Save me a seat.”

  I wanted to ask him why he wouldn’t be there for the whole thing. He lived and breathed football, especially Riverton High and Alabama Football. Come to think of it, I hadn’t even heard him mention Alabama’s undefeated season so far. I was really beginning to think he was sick. I almost got up to follow him, but Coach took his spot. “What’s up with our boy?”

  I didn’t want to say anything in the teacher’s lounge. We were already the hot topic of discussion. According to Capri, the math department was adjusting our odds of reconciliation due to my resistance, which was shocking to most. Even I was shocked. I looked around and lowered my voice. “I don’t know. Has he said anything to you?”

  “Nope. But he looks like hell.”

  I nodded my agreement.

  “You should talk to him,” Capri suggested.

  “I’ve tried to get him to tell me what’s going on, but he refuses.”

  “Have you talked to his grandma?” Coach asked.

  “Her lips are sealed tight, too.”

  “Weird.” Capri commented.

  That was a word for it.

  Especially considering he never showed up for the game. I even gave in and texted him during the third quarter to ask if he was okay. All he texted back was, Some things came up. I’ll see you at the dance tomorrow night. Save one for me.

  What things? Was he seeing someone else? No. That wasn’t his style, was it? I wasn’t sure what made me feel worse, the thought that he was sick or the thought that he was seeing another woman, or maybe several women. Maybe that’s why he was so tired. I remember all the women rejoicing on Facebook when we broke up. Maybe Capri was right. He was a man whore.

  Day Sixty-Eight

  Saturday, October 2

  I didn’t sleep well, but when I woke up, it was with a vengeance. I was going to get to the bottom of what was going on with Jackson. I didn’t care that I wasn’t his girlfriend. I felt like he at least owed me the truth.

  Capri and I spent all day prepping for the homecoming dance we were chaperoning, and by prepping, I meant she was pampering me. We did manis and pedis. Followed by some waxing. Tears followed. Ouch. But seriously, you could skate on my legs, they were so slick. She glammed up my hair and squeezed me into a little, but tasteful, black dress.

  Capri stepped back and admired her handiwork. She whistled. “Watch out, boys. This girl is a killer.”

  “Stop it.”

  “I’m serious. Look at yourself. You’re hot and you’re going to set Jackson on fire. Forget your Marilyn costume. The gentleman is going to prefer the brunette tonight.”

  “You know Marilyn, or should I say, Norma Jean, was originally a brunette.”

  “She’s got nothing on you.”

  “You’re a good friend.”

  “The best.” She grinned.

  I plopped down on my bed. “You don’t think Jackson is seeing someone else, do you?”

  She sat down next to me and her eyes had that aha look in them.

  “No more online articles,” I warned her.

  “Fine, but I was just reading something about signs of a cheater, and his actions do match.”

  “Technically, he wouldn’t be cheating since we aren’t a couple.” I had to hold the tears in. I didn’t want to ruin my makeup, but I had hoped Capri would tell me I was crazy. I didn’t expect her to agree with my paranoia.

  She must have noticed my altered emotional state. She took my hand. “But I’m sure he’s not.”

  “Nice try.”

  She squeezed my hand. “If he is, he’s the biggest idiot I know. In fact, he already is for letting you go in the first place.”

  I shrugged. “Well, at least this way I will have no choice but to get over him once and for all.”

  She hugged me fiercely. “I better go so I can get ready. And I think David has played with his online friends enough today.”

  “Is that what you’re calling them now?”

  “I just don’t get how grown men can stare at a screen all day killing aliens.”

  “I don’t get men at all lately.”

  “And they say we’re the confusing ones. What don’t they get? Call us pretty, buy us nice things, call us pretty, and once a month leave us alone.”

  I laughed at her. “You should write your own online article.”

  Her eyes lit up. “That’s not a bad idea.”

  I tried not to let my paranoia consume me when she left. I knew he was free to date who he wanted. I had rebuffed his reconciliation attempts, but I had legitimate reasons and concerns for doing so. And he acted as if he was pursuing me, so if he was dating someone else, that made him a pig. Like the big wild ones they have down here. Thank goodness I had never seen one, or I might have already run back home. And honestly, depending on tonight’s outcome, I was considering driving home to spend my fall break with my parents. I needed my mommy.

  But committing to a twenty hour drive each way was serious.

  Chaperones had to be at the school by 6:30. The dance started at 7:00. Jackson was there already, along with Dr. Walters and Ms. Dickson, the other vice principal. They were there to keep law and order. They gave us instructions on the kind of behavior that wouldn’t be tolerated, like dirty dancing or foul language. And no leaving the gymnasium and coming back in. You get the picture. Last year we busted some idiot kids who believed we would fall for the whole it’s water in our water bottles. Who brings a water bottle to a school dance?

  Jackson zeroed in on me after the chaperone meeting and right before they opened the door to let the kids in. The DJ was already blasting music. Capri skedaddled when she saw him coming our way. He was dressed nicely in suit pants and a blue dress shirt. His smile was tired, but sincere. “You look amazing.” He looked me over from head to toe.

  “Thanks. You look nice, too.” I was nervous and barely met his eyes. For whatever reason, I knew this was either the end of the line or the start of a second chance.

  “Hey.” He tipped my chin up. “I have to greet the kids at the door to check for alcohol, but save me a dance.”

  I gazed into his eyes. He looked like he had aged ten years. “Jackson, are you okay?”

  He smiled close-lipped. “Save me that dance and I will be.”

  I nodded and he walked off. I needed something cool to drink. I headed to the drinking fountain and drank enough for a camel. I would probably regret that later when I had to pee and there was a huge line in the ladies’ restroom.

  The dance started hopping and I enjoyed watching my students interact outside of the classroom. I paid close attention to Harper and Leland. They both looked nervous and I saw how their hands played dangerously close to one another. I wondered if one of them would be brave enough to grasp the other one’s hand.

  But mainly Jackson held my attention, just like he had last year, except last year he was by my side the entire time. Last year that amazing feeling of the hope of something new lingered between us. Those flirty gestures and touches. I could still f
eel the tingle in my stomach from that night. Looking at Jackson now, I still felt that heat and passion, but it was masked by confusion and pain.

  Several of the girls I taught found me and gushed over my outfit. I did the same for them.

  Capri and I were shocked to see Mindy and Stella show up, together no less. I heard they were coming back to school after fall break.

  Capri pulled our heads together. “I guess that anger management thing is working out.”

  “I don’t know. Do you see how they’re staring at Brad? I would run if I were him.”

  She grinned wickedly. “This could be good.”

  “I hope they don’t make another scene.”

  “Why? That parking lot fight has had over a half million views on YouTube.” Capri was probably five thousand of those. I don’t know how many times she had shown it to me and anybody else she could get to watch.

  Brad must have noticed he was easy prey and moved toward the entrance and Dr. Walters.

  Capri and I watched and giggled.

  All in all, the kids were mostly behaving themselves. There was some risqué dancing among a few, but the stern Ms. Dickson put a stop to that. She was nice, but she could be scary.

  An hour into the dance, Jackson left his door duty and joined Capri and me near the refreshment tables. If there was food, there you would most likely find Capri. Her metabolism was amazing and quite honestly annoying at times, only because I was jealous and maybe I was still holding on to those chocolate pounds. We all kind of stood there, not knowing what to say. We awkwardly watched over the students.

  “You know,” Capri interrupted the tense silence, “I need to talk to Lonnie about those odds.” She grinned evilly and walked away.

  Jackson and I both knew what odds she was talking about. We smiled between each other.

  When he looked at me, I still felt that excitement in the pit of my stomach. Even if I wanted to kick him and maybe scream at him. He reached up and ran the back of his hand down my cheek. “You’re so beautiful.”

  “You shouldn’t do that here.”

  “I’m tired of trying to be who I’m not. I love you and I don’t care who knows it or what they think about it.” He wrapped his arm around my waist and drew me close. And magically, a slow song started. “Dance with me.” He wasn’t asking. He led us to a dark corner near the edge of the dance floor. There he erased any space between us.

  My head landed on his shoulder and I breathed him in. I loved him, too, body and soul. I didn’t know which song was playing, but it was becoming my favorite and I hoped it lasted all night. “Are people staring at us?” I was facing the outside.

  “There are other people here?”

  I looked up and met his eyes. They were full of life. I matched his smile with my own.

  “We are the center of attention. I think you’re losing in the odds.”

  “Jackson.”

  “Presley.”

  “Are you seeing—”

  His phone started vibrating violently in his pants pocket. “Hold that thought.” He pulled out his phone and answered it, all while maintaining his hold on me.

  I caught a glimpse of the screen. I hoped I read it wrong, but it said Anne. When he answered, I heard a woman’s voice. I couldn’t make out the exact words, but she sounded frantic.

  Jackson’s face creased and reddened. “I’ll be right there.”

  I stepped away, more confused and hurt.

  He shoved the phone back in his pocket. “I’ve got to go.”

  “Are you seeing someone else?”

  His tense, lined face shook. “No.”

  “Jackson, tell me what’s going on, or the odds will definitely not be in our favor.”

  “Presley, I can’t do this with you right now. I’ll call you later.”

  “Don’t bother. I won’t pick up.”

  “Dammit, Presley, you have no idea.” He left. He just left.

  I turned around, stunned. To make matters worse, I felt like everyone was looking at me. I had never felt so vulnerable or exposed. And did I mention hurt? But I refused to cry and give everyone more of a show. I managed to walk out into the hall where Capri met me.

  “I know this is a dumb question, but are you okay?”

  I shook my head no.

  She immediately embraced me.

  I held back the tears but clung to her. “I think I’m going to go home.”

  “I’ll drive you.”

  “No. I mean Colorado.”

  She let go of me. “You can’t break your contract.”

  “I’ll just be gone for the week.”

  “I’ll go with you. David has to work anyway.”

  I shook my head. “No. I need some time alone. But I love that you would.”

  “That’s a long drive for one person.”

  “I have a lot to think about.”

  “Is he seeing someone else?” She squinted her eyes bracing for my answer.

  “I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore. I’m going to go home and pack. Please tell Dr. Walters.”

  “I don’t think anyone expects you to go back in there.”

  “Maybe I will stay in Colorado. Could I make more of a fool of myself?”

  “You could rip my necklace off and I could slap you,” she teased. She could always make me smile.

  “We’ll save that for another time.” I hugged her one more time and flew out of there.

  Who knew, maybe with this new twist in the plot, I might just complete my ninety-day plan after all. At the moment, I felt no love for the man who left me alone with only more questions.

  Day Sixty-Nine

  Sunday, October 3

  I was up packing way past midnight. My parents were excited to have me, although concerned for my mental state. I wasn’t sure why. So the man I loved may or may not have been involved with some chick named Anne. It was no big deal, except I couldn’t quit crying and I thought I was having heart palpitations. I had this under control. I bent over and sobbed. I lied.

  Around two in the morning I fell onto my bed, exhausted emotionally and physically. I promised my parents I would try and sleep before I made my journey home. My dad was booking a hotel for me in Kansas so I could stop midway. I loved my parents. Eventually my shudders quieted and I fell asleep.

  I wasn’t sure for how long, but it wasn’t long enough. I woke up in the very early light to my phone ringing. At first I ignored it. I could barely keep my eyes open, but the ringing persisted. My hand reached out under the covers and grabbed the blasted phone. Whoever was calling this early on a Sunday was getting an earful. Or maybe not. It was Miss Liliana. I could never scold her even if it was only a little past six in the morning.

  “Hello.” My throat burned from all the crying.

  “Are you sick, darling?” She sounded worse than me.

  “No. What’s wrong?” I sat up.

  She began to cry.

  I clutched my heart. “Is it Jackson?”

  “No. Yes.”

  I was dying. Which was it?

  “Other than tired, he’s physically okay, but . . . my son . . .”

  “Miss Liliana?”

  “Darling, I’ve wanted to tell you for so long, but we all promised we wouldn’t. But you need to know. Can you pick me up and take me to the hospital?”

  “Are you all right?”

  “No, but I’m going to make things better. I’m ready when you are.” She hung up.

  I was fully alert now. I jumped out of bed and raced to put on a hoodie and some jeans. Whatever I pulled out of my suitcase first. My trip could wait a few hours. My eyes needed spoons badly, but there was no time. They got a few drops of Visine. I pulled my hair up into a ponytail as I waited at a red light in my car. I was shaking. So many questions in my mind.

  Miss Liliana must have been watching for me. She walked out of her house before I could put my car in park. She was dressed elegantly, as always, in cream-colored pants and a brown blouse. I raced out o
f the car to help her. Like mine, her eyes were red.

  She took my arm and leaned on me. “I love you, darling.”

  “I love you, too. Tell me what’s going on.”

  She waited until we were on our way to the hospital in downtown Huntsville. Not the newly built one in Riverton. That wasn’t a good sign. The downtown hospital was for more critical patients.

  She looked frail, sitting there clutching a handkerchief. “My son . . . isn’t well. He hasn’t been for some time. I’m not sure for how long, since he kept it from us until the beginning of this summer.”

  That was about the time Jackson started spending a lot of time with his dad.

  “He probably would have kept it a secret until he died if he could have.” She cried into her handkerchief.

  I reached over and placed my hand on her leg. “Is he . . . dying?”

  She nodded. “The doctors aren’t hopeful that he has much longer, the stubborn fool let it go so long before he even saw a doctor that it’s spread.”

  “He has cancer?”

  “It started out as prostate, but now it’s spread to his bones.” She could barely get out the words.

  “You don’t have to talk about it.” She was making me cry and I hated the guy.

  “Yes I do. Not talking has caused too many problems. Jackson needs you more than ever and he feels like he’s lost you because he kept his mouth shut. He wanted to tell you, but we were under strict orders from my son not to. He has his reasons, I know, but this has gotten out of control. I’ll let Jackson tell you the rest.”

  “Where is Jackson? Does he know you called me?”

  “He’s still at the hospital with his daddy. Daniel took me home an hour ago.”

  “You should be resting.”

  “I will not. Not until I see this mess fixed between you and Jackson. He’s beside himself. This has been unfair to both of you. He loves you.”

  I wiped my tears away and sped down the quiet highway. So many things were starting to make sense, and I dared to hope in a way I hadn’t. But there were more questions that needed to be answered.