The Bet (Book 1 in The Deception Series)

Chapter 19: overthinking and ghosting

Taylor

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"Tough Love"- Gracie Abrams

I wiped down the dirty tables at The Grill after collecting all the dirty dishes that sat on them. I carry the bin of dishes to the next table and do the same thing. I was exhausted and was ready to go home and knock out for the night. I made sure to finish all my homework earlier today at the library because I had nothing better to do.
Garrett hasn't called or texted me since yesterday which made me feel anxious. I know it's only been a day since we talked over the phone but I still couldn't help but think the worse. What if he changed his mind? He didn't like me. What if I was too boring? What if he's with another girl right now? I hated this. I hated being an overthinker, it never helped in situations like this.

I bring the tub of dirty dishes back to the kitchen and sigh in relief before heading to the back to grab my things. I grab Garrett's jacket that I brought with me because it's freezing outside. I put it on and get hit with the smell of his cologne. I smile a little before grabbing my bag and keys.

I walk out of the restaurant and make my way across the empty parking lot. I got into my car and groaned in pain because my feet were crying for help.

I start the car and make my way home, my mind filled with thoughts about Garrett. I couldn't have done anything wrong, right? Did I? How could I have messed up already?

I get to the apartment and don't waste a second to get into the shower to clean off the smell of burgers and fries. Once I shower, I grab my book and crawl into bed. I read for a while, focusing on the story. I always liked that about reading, whenever my actual life got too much for me, I'd just read about someone else's life, even if it wasn't real. It was my escape.

I remember as a kid when my parents would fight and I couldn't handle it, I'd put on my headphones and just read, blocking out all the yelling and the reality of my life.

It was sad but all these fictional characters were the reason I got through that period of my life. I never tried to rely on actual people because they'd just end up leaving like my dad did. So I relied on fake characters, because I knew they wouldn't leave.

Once my eyes started to get heavy, I closed my book and put it off to the side. I grabbed my phone to see if Garrett had texted me. He didn't.

I sighed before turning my phone and turning off my lights. I crawled under my covers and forced myself to sleep, hoping I'd wake up to a text from him. I hated that I hoped for that but I couldn't help it. I knew I shouldn't be letting myself fall for him but I knew I was. And I wasn't sure how to stop it.

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"No text, no call, nothing." I complain to Noah as we walk out of communications class.

He wasn't in class today, I don't know what the hell was going on. He was ghosting me, I mean really ghosting me. He didn't even show up to class!
"He's such a bitch." Noah rolls his eyes.

"I know. I mean how can you switch up on a person so fast? I knew I shouldn't have trusted him, I'm such an idiot." I groan as we exit the lecture hall building.

"You're not an idiot. You're just one of the many girls who fell for Garrett Gray's tricks." He reassures me.

"But I told myself I wouldn't be one of those girls. I made sure I wouldn't. But I couldn't stop myself." I explain as we walk across campus.

"Don't beat yourself over this. At least you realized who he really was before it was too late." Noah says as he places his hand on my shoulder.

I look at him and give him a small smile, "Thanks. You're right, I should be grateful that I didn't fall too deep with him."