My Ex's New Girlfriend (gxg)

Part 4

If you had asked me a year ago, I would have told you with confidence that I thought I would marry Tristan Erlington.

I met Tristan on my first day working at The Smokehouse. I needed a job while still in college, and found a serving job there. I had served at a restaurant previously in high school, so I had experience.

The moment I saw him, it was like an instant connection. That's the only way I can describe it. I walked back into the kitchen with my manager, Jackie, to meet my trainer at the time, Gabby, and right when I locked eyes with Tristan, it was like everyone else in the room faded away.

He was on the tall side, around 5'10, with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He was your classically good-looking guy, and I fell for him quickly. We spoke a little bit during my first shift, and I just had a feeling he felt the instant connection as well.

I was correct in that conviction- as I saw he added me on Instagram right after my shift was finished. We started hanging out outside of work not long after that, and it catapulted into a serious relationship.

Almost, at certain points, too serious.

When Tristan and I broke up, I wanted to hate him. I wanted to hate him so fucking badly- but I couldn't.

He's not a bad guy. Yes, my heart was broken. But he was always kind and respectful throughout it all.

Which almost made things worse for me. It would be easier if he was just a complete dickhead that I could write off.

That's why it was all a little bit surprising for me that he got Katie a job at The Smokehouse, knowing I still worked there. Tristan was always a thoughtful guy- and this was anything but thoughtful.

How did he think I was going to feel, having to work with his new girlfriend? I was almost tempted to text him- but I had him blocked. I had for the past 3 months. I couldn't handle seeing or knowing anything about him.

Though in the back of my mind, I always hoped he was thinking of me like I was about him. Katie proved that he was not.

I couldn't help but feel lousy still for what I said to Katie, about us staying out of each other's ways. The look on her face when I said that was drilled in my mind.

And for some reason, I hated that I might have made her feel as lousy as I was feeling. I really shouldn't care- she was my ex's new girlfriend, I wasn't supposed to like her. But I still felt bad about it and was considering talking to her again when I saw her at work.

I worked on Sunday, that next day, and knew Katie would be working as well, as Devin said she would be working all weekend long.

Thankfully, Devin would be working all weekend long as well, so he would be with me for my shift today. I drove to the restaurant a little after 4 PM, to get there for the beginning of my shift at 4:30.

When I got out of my car, Leah was walking in at the same time. Her cherry-red hair was in a high ponytail, and it bounced as she walked.

Right when she saw me, she came up to me.

"Cameron, hey!" she said, and then she lowered her voice, "I heard that Tristan's new girlfriend is working here. Are you okay? I can't believe he would get her a job here!"

"Believe me, I am thinking the same thing," I said back to Leah, "I'm alright, though. At least she seems nice. It would make it worse if she was a petty bitch."

"That's what I was told, that she does seem really sweet. I guess we'll see," Leah said, "I know you've got Devin here, but I'm here as well if you need anything."