Chapter Thirteen
Tasha
That evening, I was resting in the living room when Brad coursed through our front door, confidently striding toward me with a huge smile on his face and a big blue box in his hands.
I was suddenly reminded of the many times he’d glided into our house and the beautiful memories we shared. He was an important part of my growing-up years, a significant figure in my past, whom I will never ever forget. But that didn’t mean I was ready to go running back into his arms now that he was back for good from Canada.
Everything was just too complicated at the moment. Nevertheless, I felt happy to see him.
“How are you?” Brad asked, sitting next to me and placing an arm around my shoulders. It felt natural and comfortable, but I was somehow afraid of what Stryder might think if he walks in on us like this. He could be done showering at this time.
“I’m good,” I said, smiling at him but shifting my position so that he’d take the hint to remove his arm from around me.
He did, fortunately. With a bothered look on his face, his eyes narrowed as he gave me an intent gaze. “Tasha, is he your boyfriend now?” he asked straightforwardly. “Our friends said you guys aren’t really together…”
I hesitated before speaking. “We aren’t together. It’s kind of hard to explain.”
“Well, do you love him?”
“I… I don’t know,” I told him honestly. “I mean, we’re just getting to know each other.”
“So you’re not dating exclusively? That means I’ve got a chance, right?”
“What are you talking about?” I said, my heart racing slightly, confusion settling in. “We can’t just pick up from where we left off years ago. That was such a long time ago, Brad.”
He took my hand and gently squeezed it. “I regret ever leaving you, Tasha, but I didn’t have a choice at that time. Now I’m back and I want to be with you again. I know you can feel it, too, that you and I belong with each other.”
I couldn’t say anything. I did feel a connection that was still there, but I knew very well that a lot of things have already changed. I had changed.
“Give me a chance, Tash,” he said. “I’m willing to start over. At least let me show you how much you mean to me.”
“We’re still friends, Brad,” I assured him. “That’s as much as I can offer right now.”
He took a deep breath and looked at me straight in the eye. “Okay, I’ll accept that.”
To my relief, he began to share stories about his trip in Canada and then we got to talking about how our families were. I found out that he was working as a freelance website developer and was planning to talk to some prospective clients in Windfield. Now that was going to pose a problem.
“I’m hoping I can see you there sometimes,” he suggested. “Maybe have coffee or dinner in the city?”
“Maybe,” I said uncertainly. I did not want to raise his hopes or promise him anything.
Mom and Pop came out of the room then and saw Brad. They were of course ecstatic to see him again, so the three of them sat down to chat. They asked him to stay for dinner, which he obliged to naturally.
My heart almost stopped when Stryder came down and instantly scowled at the scene that greeted him. He went out the back door before I could stop him. Even if I wanted to run after him, I couldn’t. Besides, a voice in my head kept reminding me that this man wasn’t willing to commit to me unlike Brad, no matter how I felt about him or how he actually seemed to care about me.
Did I really want to be with a guy like that? Maybe Brad was coming back into my life for a reason.
During the next few hours, I tried to focus on Brad’s presence instead and how he fit so perfectly into my life—just like the old times. However, this town and my family life with my parents were just a small part of my current existence. I’m not sure how Brad would fit into my new adult life.
Dinner was surprisingly a pleasant and relaxing experience, except for the fact that Stryder was nowhere to be found and was not answering my calls either. Mom’s sister and her family dropped by to join us for dinner, but it was a good thing they had to go early. I made up an excuse for Stryder, of course, when they all asked about him. Deep inside, I was hoping he hadn’t gone far and was going to come back.
After coffee and dessert, Brad left already because I told him I wanted to rest. Luckily, he did not inquire anymore about Stryder. When Brad had gone and my parents were already sleeping, I lay awake in my room wondering where the hell Stryder was. His car was still parked out front, so I was still very much hopeful he’d come back.
My eyes were still wide open when I heard footsteps in the hallway. Using the crutches that Pop had found in the basement, I went over to open my bedroom door and peek out. That’s when I saw Stryder getting into the guest room. He looked normal except that he reeked of alcohol.
“Where did you go?” I demanded, not helping the accusing tone in my voice.
He turned toward me and laughed. “Why should you care?”
“Well, because you’re presently staying in our house, for Christ’s sake!” I hissed in frustration, afraid to wake up my parents downstairs if I spoke too loudly.
Stryder scoffed. “I’m sorry, Tasha. I should’ve told you or at least sent you a text message…”
“Where did you go?” I repeated the question.
“Nowhere interesting,” he answered, looking bored. “Some bar called Red Barn. I did meet a couple of interesting locals who had more to say about you and your boyfriend.”
I gave him a curious look, but did not probe. “I hope you got to eat dinner and not just drown in booze.”
He chuckled. “I did, don’t worry. I’m sure you guys had a lot of fun over dinner, right? Your parents seem to like that guy very much. And I think you two look really cute together.”
“Stryder,” I said sharply, moving closer to him in the hallway.
“What? I’m telling the truth,” he said. “I’m entitled to my own opinion.”
“You should have answered my call,” I said, annoyed.
“Yeah, well, don’t worry, it won’t happen again,” he assured me sarcastically. “Because I’m never agreeing to go with you anywhere else again.”
That was totally harsh, especially the way he said it. I knew I shouldn’t have been affected, but I was deeply hurt. I felt tears rushing to my eyes, but I blinked them back and hoped he couldn’t see them in the dark.
“I understand,” was all I said, my voice barely a whisper. “Have a good sleep, Stryder.” With that, I hobbled back to my bedroom and shut the door behind me before I let the tears flow down my cheeks, my chest heavy with emotional pain.
I hardly slept that night. The next morning, I breezed into his room coolly, knowing that he was all packed and ready to go.
“I’m staying here a few more days,” I told him. “Anyway, I’m useless with this kind of injury.”
“How will you go back to Windfield?” he asked. I was surprised he even bothered to ask.
I shrugged. “Maybe Pop will drive me… or I can just take the bus.”
He nodded and hauled his huge backpack as he moved to the door where I was standing. “Okay, then. Goodbye, Tasha. Thank you for everything.”
The way he said it was so final that I wanted to cry again. But I stood my ground and took a deep breath, facing him squarely. “Goodbye, Stryder. Thanks for everything, too. You take care on the way back.”
He gave me a weak smile and then passed me by, quickly heading down the stairs without looking back.