Ditched

by Hope, Amity

  With nothing else to do, I had my phone in my hand before I could think it through. It took what felt like forever to power up and find a signal. Once it had, I was wishing I hadn’t bothered. The number of texts and missed calls were a bit overwhelming. I noticed most were from my mother, a few from my friends.

  Not a single one was from Collin.

  I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. I wasn’t going to dwell on it. At least, not right then.

  There was only one missed call from Lanna. As far as I was concerned, it was the only important call. It was for sure the only one I felt it necessary to respond to.

  “I didn’t think you were ever going to call me back!” Lanna cried in greeting.

  “I’ve had my phone off,” I explained. “Just like you told me to do.”

  “Good girl. So where are you?”

  “Montana, I guess. We just got to the hotel. Max is checking us in,” I explained.

  “So, how are you doing? No, wait,” she cut in. “Don’t answer that. I already know how you’re doing. Tell me something I don’t know. How was the car ride?” I hesitated and she jumped in again. “Please tell me you went easy on Max? Please tell me you didn’t burden him too much with your woes?”

  “My woes?” I asked. Despite myself, I smiled.

  “You know what I mean. That boy didn’t hesitate to whisk you away. I don’t want you to make him regret it.” She paused. “I mean that in the kindest way possible, you know.”

  “I know. You’re right. It was nice of him to let me tag along. I don’t want to make him regret it, either.” Then and there, I promised myself I would do my best to be in a better mood in the morning. What Collin had done wasn’t Max’s fault. He shouldn’t be forced to be the one that had to listen to the fall-out.

  “Good.”

  “So…um…” I started.

  Lanna knew exactly what I wanted to ask, despite my inability to get the words out.

  “It broke into complete chaos. Dexter pretty much attacked Collin right there in the church. There were punches and screams and some tipped over flowers. I think he was more pissed off for you than he was himself. This is definitely the most scandalous thing to hit Chamberlain in ages! It was awesome,” She stopped herself abruptly. “I mean, the whole thing is tragic, really.”

  I sighed. “Is Dexter okay? I mean, the tramp was his girlfriend.”

  She snorted at me. “Was,” she agreed. “Her walk of shame from the church was epic. It’s a good thing that people didn’t have access to garbage or tomatoes. I’m pretty sure they would’ve thrown them at her. Then again, that would’ve been fitting for the sleazy tramp.”

  As if sensing I didn’t really want to discuss the aforementioned sleazy tramp, she abruptly changed the subject. “Have you talked to your mom?”

  “Nope,” I replied.

  “Good.” Her tone was firm. “She called me when she couldn’t get through to you. She found your note. I assured her you were well taken care of. I also told her that she should back off and give you some space.”

  I groaned. “I bet that went over well.”

  I could picture her shrugging on the other end. “Eh, she already hates me. What did I have to lose?”

  This was true. Mom had never liked Lanna. My mother believed women should be soft-spoken and demure. Lanna was neither.

  “How’s Max doing?” she wondered.

  “Um, I don’t know. Fine?” I thought it was a strange question for her to ask. “I mean, he’s putting up with me. If that’s what you’re wondering.”

  “Of course he is,” she cheerily replied.

  “He’s being really sweet,” I tacked on. I wasn’t sure what answer she was looking for.

  “He’s always really sweet,” she said. “That’s the kind of guy that should be stealing your heart.”

  “You do realize I just walked out of my own wedding. Today, in fact,” I reminded her. “Don’t you think it’s a little soon to be thinking about anyone stealing my heart?”

  Not that Max would want it.

  But that wasn’t really the point.

  “It’s never too soon for love.”

  I would’ve rolled my eyes in response. But they were too worn out from all of the tears.

  “Holly?” Her tone had changed, softened.

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m glad you didn’t marry that dirt bag. What kind of guy cheats on his fiancé right before their wedding with his brother’s girlfriend? That’s practically incestuous.”

  I couldn’t help but shake my head at her reasoning.

  “I know today probably seems like the worst day of your life. And I know how hard it was for you to walk away. Not just from Collin but also from what your parents wanted. But honestly, I don’t just think it’s for the best. I know it’s for the best. You deserve so much better than him.”

  I had thought I was done crying for the day. I was wrong. The tears poured down in a gush. I tried to say something to Lanna but only managed to emit a strangled, gasping sound.

  “Oh, babe, I didn’t mean to make you cry,” she said. “I just want you to know I stand behind you. Completely. I wish I could’ve been the one to take you away. But you’re lucky you have Max.”

  “I know,” I finally choked out.

  “Okay, I’m going to let you go. You need to pull yourself together before he comes back. But keep in touch!” she ordered. “Make sure you call. No texting. Or at least, not a lot of texting. Texting is lame.” I had to smile at that. Lanna was the only person under thirty that I knew who had an aversion to texting. I was sure it was because it hindered her intrinsic nosiness. “I don’t get enough details when you text.”

  I wasn’t sure what details she was looking for but I agreed and we disconnected.

  I rested my head back in the seat and took several deep breaths.

  No more dumping on Max. Starting now, I told myself.

  I blotted away the tears and tried to think happy thoughts. At first I didn’t think any would come to me. Then I started thinking ahead, to California. To a house on the beach. To days far, far away from Chamberlain. To just being with Max. I let out a little sigh because just thinking about Max made me feel better.

  By the time he emerged from the office, with a keycard in his hand and a frown on his face, I was fairly sure I didn’t look any worse than I had when he went in. Obviously, that wasn’t saying a whole lot about my current state.

  “Small problem,” he said as he dropped himself back into the seat.

  “What?” I wondered.

  “Well, when I made the reservation, I just made it for myself.” He stopped, probably to let the words sink in. “My room only has one bed. I thought about it earlier, figured once we got here, I could just get you your own room. Or at least upgrade to a bigger room. But it’s the weekend and it’s tourist season and they don’t have anything else. I even asked if they could check around, see if there was anything else in the area. That’s what took so long. But there’s not.”

  “Oh. I can sleep on the floor.” I made the offer, not really thinking it through. As soon as I did think it through, I changed my mind. Hotels were usually gross enough. I’d heard about the terrifying things that made their homes in hotel bedspreads. Floors had to be just as bad, or worse. “Or here,” I quickly added. “I can sleep here. In the car.”

  “You’re not sleeping in the car. Neither am I,” he said. “We’re sharing the bed. I just wanted to give you a few minutes to get used to the idea.”

  “Okay,” I said with a nod. I was relieved, actually. I already had a cramp in my neck and my body ached from spending so many hours in whatever position I’d been in. Not to mention the leather of Max’s seat felt sticky. I was wearing shorts and a tank top and it was not at all inviting on my bare skin.

  He got out and I followed. When he opened the trunk he took a step back. “How much of this do you need?” he wondered as he eyed up my enormous suitcase.

  “I’m good with thi
s,” I said. I plucked out what was supposed to be my carry-on for the flight that never was. It had enough to get me through the weekend. By that time, we should be in California.

  He grabbed his duffel bag and we made our way inside.

  I was pleasantly surprised with the hotel. It wasn’t fancy but it seemed clean enough. It didn’t smell bad, which is always a perk. The room was small with one double bed. There was one rickety dresser with a tiny, ancient looking television on it. Max flipped it on as he tossed his bag down onto the plaid comforter.

  My hair was a mess from too much hairspray and the rain. I just wanted to wash away the feeling of ick that the day had drenched me in. “I need to take a shower.” I placed my own bag on the bed and started rummaging through it.

  “Uh,” Max said with a frown. “You do that. I’m going to just…go for a walk.”

  He was out the door before I could respond. I wondered when Max had started taking walks. My mind was hazy and worn out but I finally realized maybe he thought it would be too awkward. Him sitting here in the tiny room, me just a flimsy wall away. In the shower…not wearing anything…

  Yes, okay. I kind of understood his sudden desire to flee.

  I hurried into the bathroom, wanting to be done before he got back.

  I was.

  I was tucked into bed when he returned. I was staring at the grainy picture on the television. I had no idea what was on because I wasn’t really seeing it.

  Max knocked on the door, hesitated and then opened it a crack. “Are you, you know, dressed and stuff? I mean, can I come in?”

  “Yeah, come in.” I shifted in the bed, pulling the covers up tighter. One of the many things I hadn’t thought through when I left in such a rush was the choice of pajamas I’d tossed in my bag. I’d planned on being on my honeymoon. Not on an escape mission. I was just grateful that I’d tossed something somewhat decent into the carry-on. Decent. Cotton. Yet still a little flimsy for my current circumstances.

  Max poked his head around the corner. “Okay, well, you should try to go to sleep because we have to leave early.”

  I nodded. It was well after midnight now. I didn’t even want to know how early we needed to get a start on the day.

  I heard the bathroom door click shut. He reemerged a few minutes later, smelling all minty and fresh. He flipped off the television and I heard him shuffling toward the bed.

  “Are you doing okay?” he asked as he edged himself in. He bounced around, readjusting the blankets. I could tell he’d scooted himself to the outer edge. It still didn’t put a lot of distance between us because Max was a big guy. And the bed was small.

  “Mhhhmm.” It was the only response I could muster. Now that the lights were off, my exhaustion was wearing down my resolve. Being here, in a strange place, I felt completely alone. I knew it was absurd to think that way. But I was too drained to think rationally.

  “You better not even think of crying,” Max softly warned. I felt a tear trickle down. I wanted to refute him. Instead, I wondered why he had to know me so well. “Holly,” his voice floated through the darkness. “No crying in my bed. That just wouldn’t be right.”

  “Sorry,” I managed to mutter. “I just…”

  “What?” he demanded when I faded off.

  “It’s stupid.”

  “It’s not stupid,” he said. His tone was consoling and it made me feel even worse.

  I gave a shrug he couldn’t see. “I just feel so…alone.” Or abandoned. Maybe that was a better word.

  “Holly,” he said and the mattress dipped as he moved toward me. His arms slid around me and I didn’t question how good it felt when he hugged me to him. “You’re right. That is stupid. You’re not alone. I’m right here.”

  Chapter 6

  “Time to get up, buttercup!”

  The words were accentuated by the bed bouncing with such force my body actually flew up in the air. I groaned in protest and tried to pull the covers over my head. Max tugged them back down. “If you’re really that tired, you can sleep in the car again,” he said. “But we need to get going.”

  “What time is it?” I moaned. I blinked into the heavy gray light of early morning.

  “A little after six.”

  “Don’t you ever sleep?” I demanded.

  He grabbed my hands and tugged me into a sitting position.

  “Not on this trip, no,” he said with a grin.

  How could he look so cheery on such little sleep? His hair was damp. Obviously he’d already showered and taken care of whatever else it was that guys did before they started their day.

  “Will this help?” he asked. He plucked a large cup off of the nightstand and waved it under my nose. “It’s just gas station cappuccino but it’s the best I could do. There’s not a fancy coffee shop for, I don’t know, maybe hundreds of miles.”

  “You’ve already been to the gas station?”

  He nodded. “I thought I’d let you sleep for a few more minutes. I filled up on gas and got you this.”

  The scent of caffeine went straight to my head and I reached up to grab it.

  He wagged a finger at me. “Nope. Not until you listen to my ground rules.”

  “I’m listening,” I said. I swung my legs around so that I was sitting, trying to wake up as my feet dangled off the bed. My eyes were on the cup.

  I noticed Max’s eyes were on me. His cheeks turned crimson and I quickly tugged the sheet up to cover myself.

  “Caffeine?” I questioned, hoping to take his attention away from the moment.

  He shook his head. “Not yet. I let you waste an entire day of your life crying over a guy who totally doesn’t deserve it. I let you because I think you needed to. But here’s what’s going to happen today,” Max announced. “You’re going to figure out today is the first day of the rest of your life.” He dropped to his knees in front of me and took my free hand. “You ditched the bastard. And I am so proud of you for that. You realized it was the right thing to do. And now you need to realize he has no business ruining another second for you. Okay?”

  I blinked at him, wondering if he realized it was easier said than done. But then I realized he was nice enough to take me with him. I remembered my promise to myself the night before. I didn’t want to make the trip miserable for him. It would be completely selfish of me to mope and whine the whole way. What kind of payback would that be? A terrible one.

  I didn’t want Max to regret his offer.

  I really didn’t want him to be so tired of me that he’d be ready to send me home before we even got to our destination.

  “Deal. Now give me that,” I said. I held out my hand impatiently. “Please?”

  “Deal?” he echoed back. He cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes at me. “You’re not going to argue?”

  I shook my head.

  “Then I’m also going to add on that you can’t mention a certain someone’s name today.” He looked at me with raised eyebrows. I could tell by his wary expression that he thought I was going to argue about this as well.

  I wasn’t sure if it was strange or normal but that certain someone was the last thing I wanted to talk about.

  “Agreed. Now can I please, please have my cappuccino?” I pulled out a smile and pasted it on. Looking at Max grinning at me, it was surprisingly easy to do.

  He lowered the cup until it was in my greedy little hand. I promptly lifted it to my greedy little mouth. The thick, frothy, caramel-flavored concoction was divine.

  “Mmmm,” I hummed into my cup. Who would’ve guessed that the cheap stuff would taste so good?

  “Okay then,” Max said as he backed away. “I’m done in here so I’ll just…” He pointed to the door. “I’m going to head out and give you some privacy. I’ll be right outside, though.”

  “I’ll be quick. Maybe ten minutes?”

  He gave me a nod and let himself out.

  Once I was up, I felt surprisingly awake.

  After he’d wrapped his arms a
round me, I’d fallen asleep listening to him tell me everything would be okay. And maybe his words had grabbed hold of my subconscious, dug in and decided to stay there. Because as I rushed around, gathering my things, I found myself believing that he was right.

  I downed the rest of my drink as I got ready. I hadn’t really had the need to unpack so as promised, I was ready when I said I would be.

  Max was leaning up against his car waiting for me. The sun had finally crept high enough into the sky so that it was in plain view. The air was brisk, almost biting, but I was sure it wouldn’t stay that way for long.

  He took my bag from me and stashed it away.

  As I was buckling up, he slid into his seat. He’d flipped his sunglasses down from where they’d been perched on top of his head and he smiled over at me.

  “What?” I asked warily.

  “Nothing,” he said with a shrug. “I just have a feeling today’s going to be a good day.”

  “Really?” I asked as he turned the engine over. “Didn’t you say we’re going to be spending something like fourteen hours in the car?”

  “You’ve got me for company,” he teased. “What more could you ask for?”

  “I don’t know. A doughnut might make me feel better,” I said. I’d spotted them in the backseat.

  “Help yourself.” He pulled out onto the interstate and we headed into a new day.

  “Do you know what else would make me feel better?” I prodded. I already had the doughnuts in my lap. I plucked out a powdered one. They had to have been from the gas station as well.

  He gave me a sideways glance.

  “You should let me drive your car.”

  He snorted out a laugh at me.

  “I’m not joking.”

  “I kind of feel like I’m being manipulated,” he said.

  “That’s because you are. Is it working?”

  He shook his head. “Not yet.”

  ***

  I tossed my phone into the backseat, knowing it was probably going to get lost amidst all of Max’s belongings. I didn’t care. In fact, that was kind of the point. If I had to look at one more text or hear one more voicemail that had anything to do with Collin, I knew I might have another meltdown.