Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

Adriana

Friday is here and my nerves are growing with each passing minute. I’m so afraid of forgetting something or messing up royally. Okay, Adriana, stop freaking out . Mentally going over everything I have and need and checking them all off.

My phone rings while walking down to my car. Pulling it out of and seeing it wasn’t Heather, I let it go to voicemail. Just as my car turns on, my phone starts ringing again and it’s the same number from a moment ago. It’s a Colorado number and my memory sparks that I offered to be a reference for one of my old coworkers.

“Hello.”

“Adriana, please don’t hang up on me. I need to talk to you.” Toby’s voice comes through the phone.

I’m stuck and can’t move. It’s been months since the day I walked out of his place and never looked back. Since that night, his number has been blocked.

Girl, get it together because there is someone waiting for you.

“What do you want Toby?” asking him while putting my car in drive to make my way to the stadium. Thankfully, Heather has taken me there a few times this week already, so my GPS is not needed to navigate me there.

“I just wanted to hear your voice. When I went by your place and knocked on your door, I found out that you don’t live there anymore. I wanted to apologize to you about what happened. I miss you so much and just wanted to see you. Is there any way that you would ever meet me for coffee or anything so I can talk to you in person?” Toby blurts out.

“Well, Toby, to be a thousand percent honest, I don’t really know what there is to talk about. I found you in bed with two fucking women on one of the shittest days of my life. I’m not interested in trying to work things out with you, nor am I interested in hearing your excuses or reasonings. But you know what Toby, it wasn’t the shittest day in my life because it’s allowed me to follow a new path that is making me happier.” Informing him.

I need to get him off the phone soon because I’m almost at the stadium and there is still so much to do. Entertaining him any longer will just encourage him.

“Please Adriana. I can come to you. Did you finally find a better apartment that you liked more? Did you get a promotion at work or did you get a new job from one of the places you interviewed at?” He is digging and trying to keep me on the phone.

“No, Toby. I didn’t get a promotion. I had just gotten laid off before I came over and found you in bed with your two freaky floozies. Here’s the deal.” I lay it all out for him in a monotone voice. “I no longer live in Colorado. My life is no longer there. You have not and will not be a part of my life anymore. We are over, done and have been for months! You will not contact me again. Your phone number has been blocked, and that should have been a clue that I didn’t want to talk to you at all. I’m sorry you are going through whatever you are to make you want to call me but, I’m no longer interested in being there for you nor do I want to be. The time for that has passed. You had months to reach out to me in this way, but you didn’t.

“And let’s be honest, it wouldn’t have mattered, anyway. You broke my trust and my heart. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the first time, just the first time you got caught red-handed. Please understand that I’m not and will not be okay with having any type of contact or having your presence in my life at all. I just can’t. I wish you well, but I need to go.”

Parking as I hit the button to hang up the call. Toby was trying to respond, but it didn’t matter what he was trying to say to me. Sighing while my head rests on the steering wheel.

Don’t cry, Adriana.

Feeling proud of myself that I didn’t let him get to me or allow myself to feel bad for him. It feels so good to stand up for myself. There is a knock on my window that causes me to jump and the tears I was trying to hold back start to fall. Turning my head to look to see who it is and, of course, it’s Cole. He whips my door open before I can do anything and he’s squatting to wipe away the tears.

“What’s wrong? Is there anything I can do? What do you need?” he asks with such worry in voice.

“Cole. I’m okay, thank you. I just had to deal with something I thought was over. But I wouldn’t say no to two things if you’re up for them.” I say to him with the start of a smile because this man is slowly starting to weasel his way into making me think that maybe dating might be a good idea.

“Whatever you need.” He says with a nod.

“Okay, well, first, I need help carrying the boxes that are in the trunk. And second, I could really use a good hug and you look like a bear hugger.” I say before I start to cry again.