Mallory
“Holy crap, did that really just happen?” Practically running out of the building, I spot Camryn and Kristen sitting on a bench under the tree. We were lucky enough to schedule our testing for nursing boards at the same time and place, allowing us to start this journey together and end it the same way. Upon seeing the smile on my face, they rush toward me and envelop me in a group hug. How silly we must look jumping around and screaming like teenage girls at their first boy band concert, but it has been so worth it.
“Is it really over?” Camryn asks as she pulls back.
“Hell yeah! School is done. Boards are taken. It’s time to live a little. Time for a girl’s weekend!”
“Damn right. Girls weekend!” Kristen echoes. “Time to relax and unwind.”
“Dad’s sending all of us to San Antonio as a present for making it through all of this.”
“Mal, your dad is awesome.”
“Everybody good with this weekend?”
“I’m not working,” Kristen replies.
“You gonna be able to pry yourself away from Brett for the weekend?” I tease.
“I’ll manage. Is Todd going to be able to let you out of his sight for that long?” she teases back.
“I think we can manage a couple nights away from each other. Cam, you in?”
“Rest and relaxation with my girls? Of course, I’m in. Bring on the margaritas.
“I’m going to call Dad and let him know so he can get the ball rolling.”
“I need to call Brett. He wanted to know as soon as we were done testing.”
“I’m supposed to call my brother and fill him in too.”
Reaching for my phone, I distance myself from the others and decide to call Todd before my dad. He picks up on the first ring, and butterflies swarm in my belly.
“Hey, Mallory. Done already?”
“Yes! Thank goodness it’s over.”
“Congrats, babe. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks. I’m gonna call Dad right quick and let him know. I’ll call you later. I just wanted to let you know it’s over.”
“Celebration dinner tonight?”
“You’re on! Bye.” The smile on my face couldn’t get any bigger.
Hanging up, I scroll to Dad’s number.
“Hey, pumpkin. How’d it go?”
“Great. I’m so glad to be done.”
“I’m so proud of you, Mallory. Your mom would be too. We always had big dreams for you, and this is just one step closer.”
“Thank you, Daddy. That means so much.” Blinking rapidly to clear the tears pooling, I try not to cry. Knowing how proud he is makes me happy. “My only regret is she’s not here to celebrate.”
“Don’t cry, baby. She’s smiling down on you from Heaven. Now, how about this weekend?”
“The girls are in. Do you need me to do anything?”
“No. I already booked a suite on the Riverwalk since I know that’s where you like to stay. I’ll take care of everything else. Just have fun. Y’all have worked so hard for this, you deserve to relax without worrying about anything.”
“How about dinner tonight to celebrate?”
“Um…can we make it tomorrow night? Todd already asked me to dinner tonight.”
“Tomorrow night is fine. And just when am I going to get to meet this Todd? You seem pretty serious.”
“I’m not sure we’re at the parent meeting phase yet. It hasn’t been that long since we started seeing each other. But it’ll be soon, I think.”
“You really like him, don’t you?”
“He has potential,” I chuckle.
“I just want you to be happy, Mallory. It’s what you deserve.”
“I’ll talk to him tonight. If it goes well, maybe we can have dinner next week.”
“I’d like that, pumpkin.”
“You headed out with Todd tonight?”
“Yep! He’s taking me out for a celebratory dinner.”
“Damn, I should have asked you earlier. I invited Camryn over for tacos and margaritas tonight.”
“Save me some for later. Your margaritas are killer.”
“No promises, chick. Where are y’all going?”
“I’m not sure. Todd didn’t mention it. Just told me what time he was going to pick me up. Speaking of which, I need to finish getting ready. He’ll be here any minute.”
Before I can respond, there’s a knock at the door, and I glance at the clock. Todd is always very punctual and hates when I’m late. Hurrying to the door, I turn the lock and swing it open.
“Hey, Mal.” Leaning in, he gives me a soft kiss.
“Hey. Come in. Good day today?”
“Yes, and I got some good news. Are you ready to go?”
“I just need to grab my purse.” I open the door wider to let him in, and catch Camryn walking up the stairs.
“Hey, girl! I guess you’re not hanging with us tonight?” she says as she steps into the apartment.
“No. Todd and I are going out. He wants to celebrate me passing the exam from hell.”
Todd is standing in the middle of the room, hands in his pockets, looking decidedly uncomfortable. Even when the girls say hello to him, he barley responds. There’s always a little tension from him when we’re with my friends.
Moving past him, I place my hand on his back, and murmur, “I’ll just be a second,” before scurrying to my room. Snatching my bag off the bed, I take a second to glance in the mirror a final time, then head back out to the living room. Kris and Camryn are talking softly to each other and Todd is standing by the window, staring out into the parking lot. Hearing my footfalls, they glance up at me.
“We better get going. I’ll see y’all later. Don’t drink too many margaritas without me!”
Walking out the door, Todd places his hand on the small of my back, ignoring the goodbyes from my friends.
The sound of the engine shutting off startles me. I look around, realizing I zoned out the entire ride to the restaurant.
“We’re here already?”
“Yeah. What were you thinking about so hard over there?”
“Just stuff. Let’s go in. I’m starving. It’s been hours since lunch.”
“I still don’t know where you put it all.”
“After eating with me, I still manage to surprise you. I told you I could eat.”
“But I didn’t know you could out eat a linebacker,” he chuckles.
After exiting his side of the car, he walks around to open the door for me. Grasping his outstretched hand, I allow him to assist me out of the car. Walking side by side to the restaurant, I snuggle against him as he places his arm across my shoulder.
The murmur of conversation and clinking of silverware draws my gaze around the restaurant. It’s more formal than the places we usually eat at.
“I thought we needed a little fancy tonight since we are celebrating such an important milestone.”
As we reach the hostess stand, he speaks with the brunette before she grabs two menus and leads us into the dining room. This place is made for romance, cozy tables with low lighting and candlelight. As soon as we take our seats, the waiter arrives. While I scan the menu, Todd orders us a bottle of wine and bruschetta to start. Most of the time, Todd and I get along, but he knows it irks me when he orders something for both of us without even consulting me. I keep the menu up so he can’t see me roll my eyes.
“Are you going to get the chicken alfredo tonight?”
“I’m not sure. I thought I might try something different. How about you?”
“The lasagna looks good. I think that’s what I’ll get.”
“You must really like lasagna.”
“Why do you say that?”
“It just that anytime we eat Italian, you get lasagna. Don’t you ever want to try something different? Branch out a little?”
Shrugging, he answers, “I know I like it and won’t be disappointed.”
Returning with our wine and appetizer, the waiter takes our order. Todd, of course, orders his usual, and I try Fettuccini Modo Mio. He gathers our menus after pouring the wine into our glasses.
“You don’t think variety is the spice of life?”
“You need variety?”
“With my food, yes. I couldn’t imagine eating the same thing all the time. That’s why I like to try different restaurants and cuisines.”
“Maybe we can try something different this weekend.”
“You’re not working?” I ask before taking a sip of my wine.
“No, I was going to surprise you. Maybe get away for the weekend.”
“That’s so sweet, but the girls and I are going to San Antonio for a girl’s weekend.”
“When did you decide this?”
“Today. Dad offered to pay for our trip so we could relax a little.”
“Of course, he did,” he replies in a snarky tone.
Setting my glass down, I furrow my brows. “What does that mean?”
“I’m not surprised your daddy is paying for you to go away.”
“It’s his gift for passing my boards. It’s not like he’s paying for me to spend a week in Hawaii.”
Todd grunts before taking a bite of bruschetta.
I swirl the wine around in my glass, having lost my appetite. It’s not the first time he’s talked about my dad like he’s jealous of our relationship. The silence between us is stagnant.
The waiter arrives tableside to deliver our entrees and clears away the appetizer plates. He does it as quickly and unobtrusively as possible, as if he can feel the tension between us. Todd downs half his glass of wine before looking back over at me.
“Eat your dinner, Mallory.”
“Excuse me?”
“Quit playing with your wine and eat your dinner before it gets cold.”
Fuming, I twirl the pasta, but forgo taking that first bite. The heavenly aroma of garlic, bacon, and mushrooms makes my mouth water, and no longer can I resist. The taste is divine as the creamy sauce melts on my tongue. Trying to salvage the night, I ask about his good news for the day.
“I got offered a job.”
“That’s great. Where at? Doing what?”
“As assistant office manager at one of the largest manufacturing plants in the country.”
“Wow! I’m happy for you. I know you’ve been worried about getting in someplace without starting at the bottom.”
“The top manager is set to retire in three years. He said he wants to groom me for the position.”
“This is an amazing opportunity for you.”
“For us, Mallory.”
“Us?”
“Yes. It means I can provide for you—take care of you.”
“That’s sweet, Todd, but I don’t need you to take care of me.”
He gives a snort before answering, “I know. That’s what you have Daddy for.”
“That’s not fair. He doesn’t take care of me. I work. I pay my bills.”
“I want to be the one who does that. I want you to move with me when I accept this job.”
“Move? Where?”
“To Colorado Springs.”
“Colorado? Your job is in Colorado?”
“You knew I always planned to move back there. That’s where my family is.”
“And mine is here. I don’t want to leave Texas.”
Throwing down his fork, it crashes against his plate obscenely loud in the mostly quiet dining room. Glancing around, I take in the occupants closest to us looking in our direction. My face becomes hot as I blush from the unwanted attention as he gulps down the rest of his wine.
“Maybe you need to stop being selfish and grow the hell up, Mallory. The world does not revolve around just you. You are not the sun and we’re not the planets. This is a great opportunity for us.”
“Would you keep your voice down?” I whisper harshly. “You’re making a scene.”
“Like I care.”
“And you think I’m being selfish? Because I don’t want to leave?”
“Yes, because you won’t even give it a chance. I just want you to think about it. I have to give him my answer next week. I really want to take this job, and I want you with me.”
“I’ll think about. But you don’t need to make this decision based on what I decide. If you want the job, take it. We can do a long-distance relationship.”
“Those never work.”
“They do, we just have to work at it. No, they aren’t easy, but can be done. If the two people are dedicated to the relationship.”
“I don’t want to do long distance. I want you with me.”
Pushing my plate away in frustration, I reply, “We’ve only been dating for a very short time. Hell, we haven’t even met each other’s parents. And you want me to suddenly decide to move hundreds of miles away from my dad, my friends, and my job? The least you can freaking do is give me some time to think it over.”
“Mal—”
“You are out of your damn mind. I’m ready to go home.”
“What about dessert?”
Throwing my napkin on my plate, I glare at him, push my chair away from the table, and start to walk toward the entrance. I just clear the entrance door when his hand wraps around my arm.
“Will you fucking stop!”
“Let go of my arm.” Wrenching my arm away, I try to break free, but his grip tightens.
“Just listen—”
“Let me go!”
“Ma’am, are you okay?”
As soon as he hears someone address me, he drops my arm. Glancing over, I see a couple men standing on the sidewalk smoking cigarettes. Stepping away from Todd, I wrap my arms around myself.
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
“Do you need a ride somewhere? I’m an Uber driver and just dropped off my last ride.”
“She said she’s fine. Back off. You don’t want to get in the middle of this.” Todd makes a threatening step in the man’s direction, and for the first time, I’m worried about what he may do.
“Actually, if you don’t mind, I will take that ride. Goodbye, Todd.”
The man points toward a small SUV parked at the curb with the little Uber sign in the window.
“Mallory, don’t you dare get in the car.”
“Look, you’ve been drinking and you’re mad. I don’t want to be in a car with you behind the wheel tonight.”
“Mallory—”
As the driver opens the back door, I look over my shoulder in Todd’s direction.
“Goodnight, Todd. Thanks for dinner,” I say as I pull the door closed.
Through the window, Todd is talking heatedly to the driver, and when he shrugs, Todd shoves him against the car. Another guy walks over, puts a hand on Todd’s shoulder and says something that has Todd turning toward him. As soon as the driver sees the opportunity, he moves quickly around to the driver’s door, gets in, and locks the doors. Looking out the window, I gasp when I see Todd standing right next to my door, staring at me, blue eyes blazing. He tries the handle, then mouths for me to open the door. When I shake my head no, he smacks his hand on the window, then jumps back when the SUV swiftly pulls away from the curb before anything else happens.
“Where to, miss?”
I rattle off my address and the driver silently exits the parking lot. The glare from the streetlights reflects in the window as we pass by.
My phone rings from somewhere in the depths of my purse, but I ignore it. I have nothing to fucking say to him right now. What the hell is he thinking? I’m just supposed to uproot my life for a guy I’ve only been dating a couple months? Seriously? Dude is out of his freaking mind. As soon as it starts to ring, I find it and silence the ringer before throwing it back in the bag.
“Ma’am? Ma’am?”
“Wha…” Turning to face the front, the driver is staring at me, a concerned look on his face.
“We’re here.” My head swivels toward the window, and my mouth drops at the sight of my complex. Gathering my wits, I reach for my purse. “Thank you. How much do I owe you?”
He rattles off an amount as I start digging around in my purse to find my wallet. Sitting on top is my cellphone with twenty-two missed calls and ten text messages. Flicking it off the top, I pick up my wallet. Not dealing with that right now.
Pulling the cash out, I slide the money to the driver.
“Keep the change. I really appreciate you stepping in tonight.”
“You’re welcome. I hate to see a pretty lady getting harassed. Have a good rest of the night.”
Opening the door, I murmur, “Goodnight,” before walking down the sidewalk to the apartment while bracing myself to face my two best friends—who miss nothing. Taking a deep breath and smoothing down my hair, I open the door.
As soon as it starts to swing open, Kristen looks in my direction, walking from the kitchen to the living room.
“Hey, chick, you’re back early.” She sits on the couch, careful not to spill her drink.
“Yeah,” I say, wincing as the door slams shut.
“Oh shit. What happened?”
“Pour me up a margarita and I’ll tell you all about it.” Plopping down in the chair, I use one foot to push the shoe off the other before curling them under me.
A glass with the wonderful tequila slush is handed to me and I take a small sip instead of gulping like I want.
“Spill, Mal. What happened?”
“We had a fight.”
“Oh no, you okay?”
“Yeah, I guess. Asshole seems to think I need to abandon my whole life to move to Colorado with him because he got a job offer.”
“After two months of dating? Is he nuts?”
“I don’t know what the hell he’s thinking. I said something about a long-distance relationship, but he pretty much shut it down.” The icy beverage freezes my throat as I take another sip.
Camryn starts in, “I could understand if y’all had been together for six months or more. But moving after two months of dating? That’s crazy. Why would you uproot your whole life for a guy you’re not in love with? Ludicrous that is. Wait, you’re not in love with him, right?” Camryn sits on the arm of my chair and continues to lean into me before catching herself.
“No, I’m not. Could I fall in love with him? Maybe. But it’s too soon to tell. And when did you start talking like Yoda? How many of those margaritas have you had?
“Two or three, I think.”
“Try six. She’s crashing here tonight. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course, I don’t mind.” Camryn leans over and squishes me to her, burying my face in her boobs.
“Can’t breathe,” I gasp, which makes her giggle and let me up for air. “How about we talk about something else, like our trip this weekend?”
As the margaritas continue to flow, I can’t help but think about the future. Am I being selfish? Afraid to be away from my friends and dad? Are they my safety net? I don’t get the answers I seek before the alcohol makes my brain fuzzy and I pass out in the chair.