Boomerang

Chapter 18. Amends & Realizations

Sawyer

        "No good ever comes from those words, especially not from a female." Sam half heartedly quipped. I couldn't help but crack a small smile. His eyes drifted behind me and his lips receded to a thin line. "Looks like you're already having one of those conversations," Sam stated. I turned to see a seething Lucy shooting daggers with her eyes as she watched our awkward interaction.

      "That's just her face these days," I retorted. Sam smirked and shook his head. "It won't take long, promise." I gave him my best begging face, bottom lip stuck out with my bright green eyes asking "pretty please".

     "And now I know why Beau never could tell you no. Okay, we can chat real quick." He let out an exasperated sigh. He walked to the nearest booth and signaled me to sit down. "Where's the fire Thompson?" Sam was always the straight shooter. So I launched into the whole crazy story. I told Sam all about how Caroline had Zeek set up Beau, how I was too stupid and blinded with anger to let Beau try to explain, and how I played right into Carolines twisted little plan. I apologized for putting a rift between him and Beau and for being such an absent friend since moving away. He looked at me, mouth gaped. We sat in an awkward silence for what seemed like forever.

     "Holy shit Sawyer." Sam finally choked out. "That's some serious single white female shit. And you don't need to be sorry, you were going through a lot." He paused and shifted his eyes downward, "besides, Beau and I never really stopped being friends."

     "Oh?" was all I could muster. I felt relief mixed with a tinge of sadness. I'm glad I didn't end a lifetime friendship, but in the same sense; what if Beau hadn't been innocent? Sam has known Beau practically their entire lives, maybe he knew all along Beau is a good guy.

     "I knew he wasn't capable of doing you wrong Sawyer. That boy has been in love with you since we were kids. No way would he ever purposely hurt you." He defended. I opened my mouth to respond.

     "Are you freaking kidding me Sawyer?!" A furious Lucy stood in front of our booth. Sam and I shared an "oh shit" look before turning our attention back to the angry girl clearly waiting for me to answer her.

     "I'm both of your friends Lucy. So chill out." I used the same stern tone as earlier. She radiated so much animosity, it was almost contagious. But I wasn;t about to let Lucy's new constant foul mood transfer to me. I turned to Sam, "It was nice catching up, don't be a stranger." I got up from the booth becoming face to face with Lucy. "I'll call you later Luce, I have guests I need to get back too." We stared at each other for a brief moment before I slapped down some cash for my coffee and slipped my jacket on. I took one last look at a defeated Lucy before trudging out the door and to my brother's truck.

     I spent the entire ride home thinking about how much Lucy has changed. She was always a bit sassy, but also the nicest girl I have ever known. The old her would never fight over a guy, let alone tear down another female. This new Lucy however, goes for the throat. We've kept in contact since I moved, but I feel like there's something I'm missing. This isn't MY Lucy and I'm starting to really miss her. I need to get to the bottom of this before I leave again.

     I was startled out of my thoughts by a flash of brown that I caught out of the corner of my eye. I had just barely missed a deer. Way to go Sawyer, maybe you should be paying more attention to the road before you crash yet another truck. I scolded myself as I pulled into the driveway. I put the shifter in park and turned the key off. I took a deep breath, so many things running around in my mind. Can't anything be simple anymore?