chapter one

4.5K 89 46
                                    

trinity west
6 years later

"i'll be home around 1, ok baby?" i kiss bailey on her forehead as i drop her off at daycare. "remember, i think about you when we're apart."

bailey giggles as i tickle her. she pulls her body away from me and i pull her into a hug, her small arms immediately wrapping around my neck. "have a wonderful day. mommy loves you so much." i plant kisses all around her face, making her giggle once again.

"bailey loves mommy so much!" she throws her hands into the air with a huge smile on her face. "kayla will be here to pick you up after daycare. i need you to be good for her." i sternly say and bailey nods her head.

i stand up and bailey clings to my leg, "i don't want you to leave." i sigh as she pouts at me. "i'm sorry, baby, but mommy's gotta go to work." she frowns and i sigh, "don't you want that new wii that you've been eyeing at the store?" she nods her head slowly, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

"i do. but mommy-" she gives me the puppy dog eyes and i have to look away. "sometimes i will say no. today is one of those days. goodbye, i love you." i give her one last quick kiss on the head and rush out the door.
-
i pick up the phone, "hello?" my boss's voice booms over the phone, "trinity, i need you to close tonight. sydney won't be able to make it. something about her son-" i roll my eyes, "blah blah blah, i'll do it. bye." i hang up and place the work phone on the table.

i glance over at the clock and tap my foot in anticipation. the clock strikes 12:50 and i start to clean up everything. i'm wiping down the counters near the back when i hear the bell ding, signaling a customer walking in.

"sorry, we're not open." i yell out, trying to see who walked in, the booths blocking my line of vision. i furrow my eyebrows and make my way towards the front. "please, i just need a drink and this was the closest place." i freeze in my spot, my heart starting to race.

"no." i repeat over and over again quietly, "this can't be happening right now." i take a deep breathe and walk behind the counter. maybe he won't recognize me.

i finally approach the customer and he looks up, our eyes meeting and my heart drops. ethan.

"what can i get for you?" i fake my best smile and he doesn't say anything for a moment. his eyes scan my face, admiring every feature on my face. he looks down at my name tag that reads, trinity.

"just a beer, please." he speaks so quietly i could barely hear him. "you got it. is there a specific brand you would like?" i ask and he shrugs, "whatever is fine."

i head towards the freezer in the back and when i'm out of his sight i let out a breath i didn't even know i had been holding. i gulp as i grab a beer and notice my hand start to shake. i take a moment to let myself calm down before returning to the front.

"that'll be $4.25." i look away as he pays, trying to avoid all eye contact with him. he says thanks and sits down at a booth.

i go back to cleaning and stop when i hear faint talking. i shake my head, not daring to listen in to his conversation. but part of me wanted to know. what if it was grayson. or sierra or nate. but then it wouldn't make sense, we haven't talked to them since we left high school.

i wonder how he's doing.

but that's none of my business.

homewrecker | e.d Where stories live. Discover now