Against All Odds?

12. Stuck In A Quandary

                                    -♡♥︎♤♥︎♡⁃
𝗝𝗔𝗬𝗗𝗘𝗡

It's been a few minutes since Aleesha left, and I've been sitting on my couch, trying to make sense of what happened earlier. Despite my efforts, I can't understand why her demeanor changed or why she was in such a hurry to leave.

Did something happen while she was in Gia's room? Or could it have been the conversation I was having with Kathy that upset her? But what could have been so upsetting about a conversation that was strictly business? It's not like there's anything going on between me and Kathy. Although I was once attracted to her and hit on her once or twice years ago, she's just my client whose car I've been working on for quite a while, and given how good of a job I've done in the past, she's become a regular.

Could Aleesha have misinterpreted our interaction?

Pulling myself off the couch, I scratch my head briefly. Why do I care about her thoughts? It's not like I have a chance with her anyway. But why do I feel this deep urge to clear up any misunderstanding despite our reality? It wouldn't make a difference, would it? After all, it's not like she sees me as anything more than her brother's best friend—well, ex-best friend.

As I delve deeper into my thoughts, the sound of a phone ringing snaps me back to reality. Seeing the name on the screen, a smile spreads across my face.

"Hello, Jay?" a familiar voice chirps, her lips curving into a smile.

"What's up, kiddo? You okay?" I respond, returning her smile.

Even though she just turned thirteen, she still seems like a little kid to me—always bubbly and a bit of a handful.

"Yeah. Just missing home," Gia says, her expression tinged with sadness.

"Is everything alright there? Is Mom..."

"Everything is fine," she reassures me, sensing the concern in my voice. "It's just that she and David have been gone for a day and a half, leaving me with Brianna and Nathan."

Hearing those names stirs a surge of anger within me. It's not their fault things turned out this way; if anything, I should be more upset with Mom for prioritizing someone else's children over her own. And David—he's just as bad as she is, having an affair with a married woman without a care for her family.

As old memories resurface, the anger rises within me once more, but thankfully, Gia's gentle voice pulls me back to the present.

"But don't worry," she says, "They're taking good care of me. Even though they're busy, they find time to spend with me. Bri's been teaching me some beauty and fashion tips, and Nathan's been helpful with a lot of things despite his heavy study load."

I nod, gritting my teeth to keep my anger in check. "So where's Mom, anyway?"

"I don't know. She and David went out for dinner and never came back. It wasn't until the next day that we heard from them, saying they'd be away for a day or two."

I guess old habits die hard, huh?

Shaking my head, I steer the conversation toward lighter topics. Thankfully, Gia's face brightens as she begins to describe the new place and how different it is from our town.

~|♡♥︎♤♥︎♡|~
While I'm replacing a flat tire, my mind wanders again. Since Aleesha came back, I can't seem to shake her from my thoughts.