“There’s one problem, though,” I said as I finished explaining. “The job’s two states away. I’d have to relocate… leave you behind…”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line, during which I chewed on my bottom lip nervously. “You still there?” I asked, hoping she would reply with the final push of encouragement I needed to make my decision.
“Yes,” Suzanne says immediately. “Listen, it’s a big decision, and I don’t mean to pressure you in any way…”
“But you’re going to, anyway?” I teased her and she laughed on the other side of the phone.
“Well, that’s what I’m here for, isn’t it?” she asked cheekily. “I wanted to say, you’ve been hoping for this promotion for a long time, and you damn well deserve it. And in the end, what’s tying you to this city?”
My stepbrother, I thought sadly, but I kept my mouth firmly shut.
“You can’t let this one pass you by. Who knows when another one will come around,” she encouraged. And for a moment, I believed she’d read my mind and was talking about Devan… that he was the one, and there was no one else like him.
I shook my head, scrambling away the thought and focused back in on Suzanne’s words.
“I know you wanna stay close to me, since I’m so awesome and amazing.”
“Don’t forget humble,” I reminded her and giggled.
“Obviously.” Suzanne laughed. “But in all seriousness, why not take it? It’s the perfect opportunity to get away from this mess. ‘Cause I’m sure Monique’s no fun to be around right now.”
“Tell me about it. Maybe you’re right,” I admitted hesitantly, after which Suzanne changed the topic. I was grateful to her, but the rest of our conversation was pretty one-sided on her part as I was deep in thought, contemplating my life ahead.
Finally, we said our goodbyes and I took a long moment to think about my options. Though in the end, did I really have any?
I’d made a big mess of everything, and I needed to get away. It would be best for everyone involved.
I re-dialled my workplace’s number and waited until the receptionist put me through to my boss.
“Mr. Meyers?” I asked, clearing my throat to make myself sound more confident. “I’ve made my decision.”
* * *
A few hours later, and once again I was looking at all my possessions laid out in suitcases on the bed in my apartment.
A bittersweet feeling overwhelmed me, and I knew I would break down if I didn’t kill it at its source. Taking a deep breath, I straightened my back with a determined look on my face and advanced upon the suitcases, picking them up as if they were my weapons and I was off to war.
There was no time for hesitation, or looking back.
My boss was thrilled to hear I was taking the job, but he also informed me I’d be expected to leave as soon as possible.
I asked how soon, and he laughed. “As soon as you can pack up,” was the answer. They needed people at the new office right now – his words, not mine.
After that, it hadn’t taken me long to gather my things, and once they were ready, the apartment stripped bare, and my passport safely tucked away in my handbag, I was ready to start my journey and begin a whole new life, a life without any complications, no Mark, no Monique and certainly no Devan.
But somehow, I couldn’t bring myself to leave just yet.
A persistent part of me begged to stay a few moments longer, to have one last look upon Devan’s face. But I’d remembered the promise I’d made to myself… just one night. That was all I was going to get. That was all I was going to allow myself to have.
I hadn’t even seen Dev since the morning, not after eavesdropping on his fight with Monique in the kitchen. It hurt badly, but I knew I needed to keep it that way if I wanted to stay sane.
Finding courage, from god knows where, I ignored the incessant calls from Devan, deleted the following text without reading it, and turned my phone off.
I took one last look around the apartment, then carried my suitcases down to the awaiting taxi that would take me to the airport.
Dev was nowhere to be seen; his truck was gone, and I felt a pain deep inside my belly as I put all my stuff into the back of the taxi, with the driver’s help. It might’ve been nice if I’d had a proper send-off with my family, but there was no time for that.
Can’t have everything, I thought bitterly as I climbed into the backseat and shut the car door.
But I had to admit, everything was moving so fast. Maybe I could’ve waited a couple of days and said some proper goodbyes instead of sneaking off without saying a word? I thought.