Winter in Spruceworth | Spruceworth 4.3 (Short Story)

14. Cleo

14. Cleo

       I didn't even know why I decided to go to the 50's event at the city hall. I still didn't have too many friends here in Spruceworth, and I knew Josh was going to be spending time with Cassidy there since he told me.

       Maybe part of me wanted to go to make sure nothing happened between them.

       Whatever the reason was, I found myself at the city hall with Celeste. I looked around, seeing everyone having such a good time, which immediately brought my mood down especially when I spotted Josh with Cassidy and Guinevere. Like a happy little family.

       I soon noticed Holden sitting at a table alone, and he looked how I felt, so I walked over to him. "Hey," I said. "Can I sit here?"

       "Please do," Holden said. "I don't want to be alone for the rest of the night."

       I parked the strolled right beside the table before sitting down beside Holden. "You look like you're having the time of your life," I said.

       Holden sighed. "That obvious?"

       "Only because I'm feeling down too," I said, propping my elbows up on the table and resting my chin in the palm of my hand, and I couldn't help but look over at Josh. Why did I have to fall for someone who had a girlfriend who faked her death?

       I wish my love life was a lot better. 

       And easier.

       "So, what's got you down?" I asked.

       "Heartbreak," Holden said. "You?"

       "Same here," I said. "Well, not complete heartbreak but it feels close to it."

       "Are you talking about Josh and Cassidy?" Holden asked and I nodded. "Because we all hate her. And by we, I mean me, Julian, and Noah. We can't stand her, and it won't be long before Josh feels the same way. I mean, I hope it won't take too long."

       "Everyone keeps telling me that, but I just don't know if it will happen," I said. 

       "Trust me, I know my brother," Holden said. "It will happen. Hopefully when Cassidy goes to jail."

       I sighed. "Yeah, Josh told me what she did, and I hate to say this, but she's most likely going to get off with my ex-husband as her lawyer. He's one of the best lawyers in the province."

       "Great," Holden said. "So we're going to be stuck with her even more."

       "Was she always like this?" I asked. "Before she faked her death?"

       Holden shrugged. "Dunno. I was at boarding school then. I didn't get to see what she was like before the whole faking her death thing, which I still would like to know the reason of. She hasn't really said anything about it, and she probably won't. Now, want to feel better by listening to my fail of a love life?"

       "Does it include a love triangle?" I asked. "Because that's kind of hard to top."

       "Nope," Holden said before looking around the city hall. His eyes soon landed on a table, and I followed his gaze to see what seemed like a family of three; a mom, a dad, and three kids. "See them?" I nodded. "Those are the kids I used to babysit. And their dad is my ex-boyfriend."

       "Okay, this, I'd like to hear," I said.

       "Well, first off, his name's Shaw," Holden said. "The mother of his children's name is Kendra. They dated when he was in the closet, thus the three kids, but now that he's out, they're best friends."