Chapter 19

A COUPLE NIGHTS LATER, Hailey had a night shift at the gym but she went early to get some climbing in with Bridget before she sat at the front desk all night.

She was just climbing down from hitting the top of the wall of a problem she’d been working on for a week when she almost ran into a couple. She quickly apologized and then realized the guy looked familiar. Ah, it was the guy Bridget was super inappropriate with, the one she asked if he thought she needed to get in shape like Gage said.

“Oh, hey!” he waved in recognition. He turned to the cute brunette woman next to him. “Violet, this is that girl I was telling you about whose boyfriend is a douche bag and then Chris tried hitting on her.”

“Oh geez, I’m so sorry about Chris. He’s my brother and he doesn’t understand the whole ‘read the room’ thing.”

“It’s no problem. He was kind of funny,” Hailey responded with a smile, but she felt a little uncomfortable that this guy went home and talked to his girlfriend about her. Was her situation that bad?

“You’re not still with that guy are you?” the guy asked, before his girlfriend backhanded him across the shoulder.

“Danny, that’s none of your business!” Then she turned back to Hailey. “For what it’s worth, your relationship is none of our business, but now that I’ve met you I can tell you that you are perfect. You kind of look like Nina Dobrev!”

“Yo! I totally see it! You do look like her,” Danny added.

“Wow, really? Thanks! That just made my day!”

“No wonder Chris was hitting on you. He loves that vampire show.”

Hailey just laughed and tried to believe their compliments. That actress was fucking gorgeous, but they thought she looked like her? People wouldn’t lie about those kinds of things, right? They would just say nothing. Right? They’re probably just being nice, or trying to make her feel better since they knew about her shitty boyfriend.

“He wasn’t that bad, but you can let him down easy for me. I’m still spoken for.” Hailey tried not to think about the fact that Avery’s face just popped into her mind.

“Well, you do you, but my boyfriend was right. You don’t need to change a thing,” she offered a smile with her praise and gave Hailey one more look up and down that made her blush, but she couldn’t help but beam back. It wasn’t every day she got such good compliments. Were boyfriends supposed to give you compliments? She told herself she’d look into that.

They exchanged a few more pleasantries before the couple moved on to their climbs, but Hailey basked in the positive attention she just got.

She hit her next few attempts on the rock walls with a little bit more confidence than usual and was actually proud of herself. She tried some climbs she’d been having trouble with and dominated them with this newfound confidence. Hailey wondered what it would be like to feel like this all the time. Do people do that? Just feel good about themselves all the time? That sounded crazy.

As Hailey was pondering this, she didn’t notice Bridget walk up and sit down beside her.

“You know, you’re having a conversation with yourself in your head again and it’s really obvious on your face. What’s going on?”

“Oh, uh. I just felt good about myself for ten minutes and was thinking about how weird that is.”

Bridget blinked a few times, staring at Hailey, probably wondering why the fuck they were friends.

“Oh sweetie. Let me be in charge of your life for just one day and maybe we can get you to keep some of that confidence. What started these thoughts?”

“Remember those guys you were being super inappropriate with, asking if they thought I needed to get in shape?” Bridget nodded. “I just ran into the first one with the girlfriend and he was with his girlfriend this time. Apparently they talked about me? What’s this world coming to? Anyway, she agreed with them. Bridget, I have a question and I need you to be honest with me.”

“Anything, babe. Fire away.”

“Do you think Gage affects my confidence?”

Bridget fell back against the gym mats with a hand across her head. God, this bitch was dramatic. But that’s why Hailey loved her. It had definitely been at least ten whole seconds but it felt like ten days.

“Uh, Bridge? You still with me?”

“YES! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, YES! HE IS RUINING YOUR LIFE!” In one breath, Bridget gained the attention of pretty much everyone in their line of sight with her shouts. Everyone was staring at this point, but Hailey didn’t notice anymore because she had her face covered in her hands.

“Tell me how you really feel, Bridget,” she deadpanned, muffled behind her hands.

“What I really feel is that it has taken you way too long to figure this out, and I’m sorry but he’s destroying you and you haven’t even realized it until now. Geez, I have been dying for you to figure this out. You were so much happier before him. You were so blinded by your dry spell before him you couldn’t even see he wasn’t good for you.”

Hailey took her hands off her face and stared at the chalk fading off of them. She was pissed at herself. People have been telling her for months that she wasn’t happy and she was just too dumb to even see it. Sure, she was aware of her stupid depression. How could she not be? There were only so many times a person could drive down a street and consider how easy it would be to just hit that thick telephone pole on the side of the road before realizing that wasn’t a healthy thought. But she went so long without seeing that those thoughts weren’t really around before Gage. Then, it was more about loneliness. Although, even with Gage she felt pretty alone.

How could one person have so much pull over another? It was goddamn sad.

“Fuck, I’m pathetic. How’d I let this happen? What do I do?”

“No, Hailey, you’re not pathetic. You got stuck with a narcissist who didn’t show his true colors until you were hooked. It happens to people all the time. It’s not your fault your boyfriend is an abusive dick.”

“Abusive? No, he doesn’t beat me up.”

“Not all abuse shows scars or bruises, although don’t pretend he hasn’t left those, too. But, abuse can be emotional and psychological and it’s just as dangerous. Now, please let me kill him. They’ll never find the body. Rick knows a guy.”

“Jesus, Bridge. You guys really are perfect for each other.”

“I know, right? There’s someone out there perfect for you, too. It’s just not Gage. Now, what are you gonna do about it?”

Hailey took a deep breath. This was it. She could do it. Gage wasn’t right for her and it wasn’t right to waste her time on him anymore. Her eyes drifted around the gym and settled on the couple from earlier. Violet was just coming off the wall and Danny gave her a high five, all smiles and clearly proud of her. Had Gage ever even looked at her like that? Did he support anything she’d ever done?

She couldn’t think of a single time he had. Son of a bitch, how could it take her this long to see? Ugh. But, dumping someone? There was absolutely nothing fun about that and she was not looking forward to it. Maybe somewhere public would help? Then, he couldn’t respond like an asshole, right? Right?

“How … how do I do it without it ending badly?” she pleaded with Bridget.

“Well, there’s not really a way to guarantee it won’t, but you could always bring reinforcements? I could come with you!”

“Huh, yeah um … maybe? I’ll think about it.” Let’s see. What were the chances that Bridget would show up with weapons? This was definitely something to sleep on. Good thing she had the night of work to think about it, plus there was Scott’s going away party later tonight. She could definitely use the distraction, that was for sure.

“Good idea. Think about it! Besides, you’ve got stuff to look forward to! Ready for your bridesmaid dress fitting next weekend? I still can’t believe my wedding is already next month.”

“I know, right? Feels like you just got engaged yesterday. Ah shit. If I break up with Gage I won’t have a date and then I’ll be alone at the bridal party table. Dammit. I guess I can wait until after the wedding.”

“No. No, no, no,” Bridget said as she sat back up and adjusted her entire body so it was facing me. “It is not worth delaying and continuing to be miserable for my wedding. I do not need you to do that. Let’s just get you a new date!”

“In just a month? There’s no time to find someone else!”

“You sure about that? I bet I could think of someone who would jump at the chance to go with you.”

Bridget wiggled her eyebrows at Hailey and pulled out her phone. “Do you recall what you said the other night at my bachelorette?”

Hailey bunched up her eyebrows in confusion. “Uh, no?”

“Allow me to remind you.” She clicked a few buttons on her phone and Hailey’s own voice started to blast out of Bridget’s cell. “Avery is perfect for me and I’ve loved him since high school. He’s so nice and pretty.”

“Oh, fuck. I vaguely remember that.”

Hailey took this as her opportunity to fall back onto the mats in exasperation. She felt a bit helpless. Avery was so close yet so far away. She had too much to think about at the moment to even consider having a shot with him. If only…

———————————

Hailey finally arrived at the house party at about 11:30. It was at Andrew’s house, and at least he had a decent sized townhouse. Most people would already be drunk by now. She didn”t want to be the first one there anyway. That would just be awkward. She smiled when she found the chapstick she double checked was in her bag before she arrived and applied it, steeling herself for the socialization that was about to come.

She cursed herself when she realized she hadn”t brought anything to drink. Hopefully, there were some decent mixers inside. Anne had texted her earlier that night that she came down with a bug and wouldn’t be going, but Hailey figured she could still use the distraction of a night out so she went anyway.

As she stepped into the house, Hailey was assaulted by the smell of weed. Or at least she hoped it was weed. The alternative was horrifying.

After she walked down the entrance hall and into the kitchen, someone shouted ”It”s you!” She was violently pulled into the room.

Andrew gave her a big hug. ”You”re finally here! Did you have trouble finding the place or something?”

Hailey had to shake her head with confusion. This was definitely the most Andrew has ever touched her. Must be the alcohol and she was right about everyone being far gone already.

”No, no trouble. Just had to finish a night shift at the gym. I need a drink to catch up with you! What do you got?”

Andrew led her over to a counter filled with bottles of all different colors, shapes and sizes, but a lemonade and sweet tea vodka caught her eye first. She grabbed a red cup from the tower and started grabbing ice for her drink before turning back toward Andrew. He was talking her ear off about the new pizza guy at work who wouldn’t stop burning his pies during the lunch shift.

She was so distracted by his story that she didn’t notice Scott come up behind her, placing his hand on her shoulder.

”Oh! I didn”t see you there! Are you having fun on your last night in New Jersey?”

”Oh yeah, these people are always a blast. Here, give me that cup, I’ll make your drink for you.”

“Thanks! Yeah, just the lemonade and sweet tea vodka is good, I already got ice.”

She handed her cup over to him, then a loud boom sounded from across the room.

”Shit!” Tara was on the floor after falling off a stool at the kitchen counter.

”Oh my gosh are you okay?”

”No! I spilled my drink!”

She had trouble keeping from rolling her eyes at Tara, the girl who was always a mess at parties and hooked up with as many of the restaurant staff as she could. Was she going for a record? Maybe she was filling a bingo card or something. If only I had her confidence.

”Hey, what happened to the music?” Tara shouted a bit too loud. Someone reset the playlist on their phone and the music sounded through the bluetooth speaker in the corner.

Hailey took this time to look around the first floor. It was pretty swanky as far as townhouses went. Floor to ceiling windows on one of the walls, a full plush couch, hardwood floors. She was pretty sure Andrew just had it renovated, and he did a really great job on it.

“Here,” Scott said with a smile as he nudged her side and handed her back her drink. She didn”t take a sip of it right away, not excited for the taste of tea to hit her picky palate.

“Thanks!”

She finally brought the straw to her plump lips and took a quick sip. It wasn”t actually too bad. The lemonade was definitely the more powerful flavor.

“Do you have to work tomorrow?” Scott said.

The memory of her schedule hit Hailey like a slap in the face.

”Shit, I completely forgot I’m working the opening shift tomorrow so I have to be in even earlier. Couldn”t get anyone to switch with me because they all wanted to come here.” She shrugged and caught him looking at her, smiling flirtatiously in her direction.

He cleaned up pretty nicely. He was wearing dark khakis and a button-down shirt, half open revealing a solid T-shirt underneath with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Why was that such a good look on men? She didn”t understand it but it was a stereotype she could accept about people. He paled in comparison to a certain someone on her soccer team, but she ignored that thought for the moment.

“Who”s managing tomorrow? Maybe they”ll let you come in a little bit late,” Scott asked.

“I think it”s Zane, he would never let me come in a minute late.”

“Damn, that blows.”

“Ugh yeah, he”s the worst.”

She took another beat to think about what time she should leave to get enough sleep for work in the morning. She didn”t want to party too hard tonight anyway, so it shouldn’t be too big a deal. She could leave in a half hour or so.

She took another sip when LMFAO started blasting from the bluetooth speaker. “Oh shit! This is my jam!”

Swaying to the music for a handful of songs, Hailey started to feel the liquor hitting her. That couldn’t be right though, she had only had a few sips.

She blinked.

Hailey looked around again and realized she somehow was upstairs in what looked like a guest bedroom. When did she get up here?