I Don't Believe In Fate

Chapter 27

Erica stayed pretty quiet on the ride back home. As hard as I tried to pretend not to be hurt, my best friend knew me better. It wasn't until we got back to my apartment that she finally spoke. "I'm really sorry that you had a shitty weekend, you don't deserve that and I can't believe I'm saying this but... he's so not worth it. Claire, if it makes you feel any better, Jared wasn't interested in anything but friendship with me, and he made it so painfully obvious." Both of us looked at each other and burst into a fit of laughter. Hell, what else could we do?

I suddenly felt bad for not even asking if she had a good time. "I'm sorry. What happened?" I cleared my throat and turned off the ignition, watching as she let her head fall back against the headrest.

"Where do I start?" She shook her head, laughing some more. "He is really nice and I swear I'm not complaining because holy shit, I did get to spend time with him, but, I will say that he's nothing like what I expected." She looked over at me. "But you were the one who was supposed to have a great time."

"Trust me, I'll live." I opened the door and got out. "He lied! He has a girlfriend. The way I see it, they fight, he cheats, and she inevitably accepts it. I now think that I was just another stupid conquest of his during an argument with her. Not sure who is more fucked up, him for cheating, or her for allowing it." I opened the back door and pulled out my bag. Slamming the door shut, I looked over at Erica trying to fight the tears that threatened to fall. "I feel stupid."

"You didn't know!" She turned to walk toward her car, stopping abruptly. "Fuck em!" I heard her say as she tossed her bag into the back.

I gave her a frown and walked into the apartment complex. It didn't matter what I said, my feelings were hurt and I was disappointed in myself. Once inside of my apartment, I put the bag down and walked straight to my bedroom. All I wanted was a hot shower and sleep. Back to normal life tomorrow and that meant work first thing in the morning.

When my alarm clock went off, before the sun even came up, I wanted to smash it into a million pieces. Like I do every morning, I laid in bed for a few minutes and checked for any messages.

Nothing. 'Of course he didn't text to apologize.' Did I actually think he would? I was still secretly holding out hope like an idiot.
Rolling my eyes, I got up and made myself a cup of coffee. 'No more musicians, Claire.' I loved talking to myself, in fact, I did it quite often. It's only when I start answering myself that I should worry.

An hour later I was sitting at my desk when I got a text from Max, asking what time should he be ready Saturday night. I covered my hand over my mouth. 'Shit!' The concert! I had completely forgotten that I was supposed to take him. VIP, so of course I'd have to see Shannon.

During lunch I would just talk to Lily and explain that I couldn't go. It's her son and she would have to take him. I paced back and forth as I dialed her number. "Hey, Claire. What's up?" She answered on the second ring.

"Hey, so I got a text from Max about Saturday. Lily, I can't go. You know that Shannon and I aren't speaking."

She chuckled. "So don't talk to Shannon. Remember what mom always says, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." She thought she was being funny, but I really had no intention of putting myself through that humiliation.

"Seriously? You take him! Max is your son, not mine." I knew before the words, even left my mouth that I shouldn't have said it. Clenching my jaw, I waited for her response which I knew would not be nice.

"Wait a minute! You were dating him and the plan was for YOU to take him. How the hell did I get involved in this? I have a date Saturday night."

"With who?" A date? My sister? She never even told me that she was talking to anyone.

"His name is Brian and I met him through Josie." Josie was my sister's best friend and even though I couldn't stand her, Lily loved her. I could only imagine what kind of idiot he was since he was an acquaintance of Josie's.

"How sweet. I'm sure he's just great." It was no secret that I didn't like Josie, Lily and I had a few arguments about her. She is a heavy drinker, always has a drink in her hand, but whatever...

"I gotta go, I have to pick up Max from the library. Have fun at the show and remember, don't let him get to ya. Bye." She disconnected the call and I rubbed my hand over my face.

When I got home from work I text Max and let him know that I'd be there to pick him up early and we would go out to eat before the show. Maybe it wouldn't be that bad or possibly Kaylee would have him so busy that he wouldn't even attend the M&G. I didn't want to see him at all but knew that I would.