Harassenger: Backseat Admirer ✔️

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Thirty-Nine

It had been a few days since my sister had went missing, neither one of us discussing what happened again. I couldn't tell my mom, not only because she would have taken it out partially on me, but because I know Jamie's heart was in the right place. She wanted Mick and I to make up, and as far as I was concerned, it had worked. We told each other we were in love, something I once thought was foreign and untouchable. My heart would be completely his if my mind would allow it. I was struggling to wrap my brain around it, but his father didn't see it that way. Yes, his father, Desmond Conrad, had made a special trip to visit me on the job.

At first, he talked about getting a membership, and then the small talk led a drastic change toward his son and how it was in his strongest recommendation that the two of us get together. He said he's never seen his son so committed to a woman and boast about her like he does me. The chatting went on an on, until my mother showed up. He persona changed and his attention was completely on her figure. He made advances and struck a conversation, making sure to tap his empty ring finger on the counter. I almost wanted to barf, but my undisciplined mother returned the flirtatious banter.

If Mick was here to see this, he'd likely barf, too. I was so not okay with the two of them together. My mother was an independent, feisty woman and this man had more arrogance than he did hair. But, if I learned anything from Mick, opposites sometimes attract. They were two grown adults, so let it be, deciding to go out for some fresh air before I meddled in their business.

As I walk out into the yard, I nearly bump into Holton. I can't remember a time where Holt and I have been at odds. Usually two days of not talking was odd for us, and yet it's been longer.

I tried to move out of his way, but he moved in front of me; I tried again, but still couldn't pass.

"Can we talk?" It didn't seem like much of an option since he stood in my way.

"Yeah, let's sit on the bench." I took a seat on the bench next to the door, wiping the dew that rested against the seat before sitting down.

Holt wearily sat down. I noticed his beard was gone, his old scar in a straight line just below his chin. His chopped hair had grown since we last saw each other, and I no longer could see the small mole next to his ear.

"I, uhm, I need to say that I miss you." He sniffed, his crooked nose scrunching.

"I miss you, too, but..."

"But nothing, Natt. Let's just get back to the way things were. Once upon a time we could joke about our dumb ass fights." He said, his blue eyes looking for an answer in mine.

"I want to so badly; I miss our friendship." I said honestly.

"Good. But I want to show you something first." Reaching into the inner pocket of his expensive suit, he pulled out a rolled piece of white paper.

"A message in a bottle? Is there Morse Code you want me to decipher?" I teased.

"Nah, open it up."

I did as I was asked, training my eyes on the piece of paper in the sunlight.

I read the first setence, but read it again for accuracy at what I was reading.

"You filed for divorce? Holt, why didn't you try marriage counseling? Please, please tell me this isn't because of me." I took a hold of both his hands, searching for a golden ring that was already gone.

"It is because of you, and because Della and I both agreed we are wrong for each other. Natalie, I want to focus on you, whether that means I have to wait on the sidelines as your friend. I will be there for you, and I will wait for you no matter if it takes my entire life. I want to be friends again, and I'll be content with that until said otherwise."

"I'm in love with Mick."

"And I'm in love with you, which is why I'll wait. I won't let you out of my life because of my feelings, but I won't lie to you about them." He told me.

And just like that, Holt rose from his chair, leaving me in my own thoughts.

Holt and I had always been friends, and I had, indeed, waited for him over many years. He never once left the friendship because of my crush on him. I was willing to keep our friendship like he once did, and hopefully in the long run, he will find someone he truly loves, too.

"Okay, I just heard that whole conversation." Trixie stood in front of me, arriving with the coffee I had asked her to bring me.

"You were able to get off your phone long enough to hear that?" I cocked a brow, taking the large cup of hot coffee from her hands.

"For gossip? Or course. Besides, I've taken your advice and set myself a limit a day to use my phone. Turns out, an unattainable woman is every man's ideal woman. My man certainly has been wrapped around my finger since I kept my distance."

"And I gave you this advice?"

"I think. Well, really, I don't know; it sounds like something you'd say." I'll take it.

"Ah, well I wish I could give myself some good advice." I said, bummed out.

"Don't stress Holt, hunny. I think Holt is used to getting what he wants, so it'll take him a while to realize you're not in love with him."

"You think?" I asked.

"Yepp. The good news is he wants to stay friends, and that's better than you two were a few days ago."

"True." I agreed, watching as she took the spot next to me, hiding her eyes with her hand from the sun.

"It's been a crazy summer, huh?" She said, squinting her eyes.

"It has been. We both survived, didn't we?"

"As we always do. Together." From falling out of love to falling in love, to closing old wounds and renewing my outlook on life, it has been one hell of a summer. Although the change has been much needed, I'm glad that one thing didn't change: my friendship with Trixie.