“I don’t know. I guess we’d just been spending so much time together,” she said. “The attraction is definitely there, at least for me. But I think it’s because he looks so much like Jett.”
“Obviously he’s attracted to you if he kissed you,” she said. “And he invited you out to visit him. He must think a certain way about you.”
“He’s just taking care of me,” Stormy insisted. “He feels like he has to take care of his brother’s widow. He’s just being a good person.”
Brooklyn squinted as she didn’t buy it. “Maybe. Maybe not.”
“Who knows,” Stormy said as she rolled her eyes.
“Are you sure you don’t have feelings for him? Not even a little?” Brooklyn smiled wide.
“Even if I did, I’m not going to entertain them right now,” Stormy explained. “It just feels wrong. I can’t do that to Jett. It’s not right.”
Brooklyn shrugged. “I guess you just have to do what you think is right.”
“I’m trying,” she replied. “Believe me, I’m trying. Everything is so confusing right now.”
“You just need to let loose and have fun,” she said. “If you’re really that lonely, there’s always douche bag Hayden to keep you company. Rumor has it he’s holding a big ol’ flame for you and it’s burning awfully bright.”
“What do you mean?” Stormy asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Oh, girl, he’s so in love with you,” she laughed. “Ever since you got married, it was like something switched in him. Every time I see him at O’Malleys he basically pounces on me and tries to get information out of me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s stalking you.”
“Are you serious?”
“I’m kidding about the stalking part, but yeah, he’s pretty much obsessed with you,” she elaborated. “I guess he tells everyone what a mistake he made.”
“He admits he made a mistake? That’s not like him at all,” Stormy mused. “Good to know though.”
“He’s kind of a whole different person now,” Brooklyn went on. “Something changed him in these last few months. Personally I don’t think he deserves another chance, but I thought you should know that he’s eating his heart out now.”
Stormy thought about Hayden in a whole different light for the first time in a long time. Maybe he had turned over a new leaf? Maybe he did truly love her and want to get back with her. She, of course, wouldn’t do anything unless the time was right, but it gave her a little bit of hope.
“I think I just need to focus on myself right now,” Stormy declared. “I don’t need to be talking to Ryder or Hayden or any other guys. I need to grieve. I need to be by myself.”
“You’ve got your entire life to grieve,” Brooklyn said. “You can’t hold a flame for Jett forever. I’m sorry, but he’s not coming back. At some point you’re going to have to live your life and move forward.”
“At what point is it okay for me to do that?” Stormy asked as tears formed in her eyes.
“It’s not like there’s a manual or anything on how to grieve,” Brooklyn replied. “You have to do it when it feels right for you. No one else can tell you when that is. But don’t sacrifice the good guys that happen to come into your life all because you’re trying to create some kind of appropriate timeline because it makes you feel better about yourself.”
Stormy knew Brooklyn had a point, and after hearing how obsessed Hayden was with her now, she almost wanted to see him again. She had spent years pining for him and hoping he’d come back to her and love her again, and now that the tables had turned and she had mentally made Ryder off limits, she was seeing Hayden in a completely different light.
In high school, she was the girlfriend who trailed along behind him. She was loyal and faithful and did everything he wanted her to do. She planned surprises for him, lavished him with gifts, and in return, he gave her flowers every month and a promise ring before dumping her the moment he moved way to school.
They were just a couple of kids though, she told herself. You can’t believe what an eighteen year old promises you. Eighteen year olds shouldn’t make promises to naïve little sixteen year olds.
Still, Stormy loved that things had ended up in her favor. It made her happy to know that she held his heart in the palm of her hand for the first time and not the other way around.
“I should probably get going,” Brooklyn announced as she crawled off the couch. “Think about what we talked about though. I’ll go to California with you next time you go. I’m actually sort of curious about this Zander guy.”