You Don't Know..What you Don't Know

Chapter 49- Spring

Poor Jarrod.

I gave him one more chance, hoping maybe I'd judged him too quickly.

I hadn't.

The entire evening felt like a performance. Everywhere we went, he introduced me, kept an arm around my waist, smiled proudly as if I'd won him some kind of prize. I smiled when expected, laughed when appropriate, and counted the minutes until it was over.

The spotlight had never been my place.

When he pulled into my driveway, I thanked him for dinner and waved as he drove away.

Sorry, Jarrod.

You don't really know me.

And I don't think you're interested in finding out.

The second I walked through the front door, my phone buzzed.

Randy: You looked amazing. Come over in that dress.

I laughed despite myself.

Me: I'm exhausted from pretending to enjoy tonight. If you want to see me in a dress like that again, you'll have to earn it. Not tonight.

Randy: Spoil sport.

Me: You'll be happy. The night sucked. Why do guys always think we're trophies?

His reply came almost immediately.

Randy: Any man with you on his arm isn't going to think straight. But I'm glad he pissed you off.

I rolled my eyes.

Me: Bet you are.

By then I'd already peeled off the dress, scrubbed away my makeup, and pulled on an old T-shirt and shorts. Sitting cross-legged on my bed, I finally felt like myself again.

Another text appeared.

Randy: I'm human. You're mine. Always.

I stared at the screen for a long moment before deciding not to argue.

Me: Good night, Randy.

Randy: Good night, Princess.

Spring arrived with graduation.

This year it was Jim crossing the stage.

After the ceremony, the seniors would head to Myrtle Beach for one last adventure before scattering in every direction. Jim would only be home long enough to celebrate before leaving for college early to begin training with his basketball team.

Mom had planned one enormous graduation party. Family was driving in from Baltimore.

Including Torri.

I hadn't spoken to him since the championship game.

The knot in my stomach had nothing to do with seeing him.

It had everything to do with telling Randy.

There was no world where those two could peacefully occupy the same space.

And Randy couldn't come.

It wasn't my party.

It was Jim's.

Still...

I dreaded the conversation.

Justin answered the apartment door.

"Where's your boy?" I asked.

"He ran to the store." Justin stepped aside so I could come in. "Isn't your brother graduating today?"