The Broken Road - A Zac Efron Novel (18+)

Chapter 46 - Some Friends

The day after Christmas was a huge day for Jess. I remember that morning and her gently kissing my lips and whispering that she loved me even though she thought I was asleep. I could sense her linger in the doorway of the bedroom, staring at me before she headed off to her realtor's office to sign the closing papers on her new house.

I had offered to help her with the moving-in process, but she repeatedly assured me she had an army of movers and an interior decorator fully prepared to do all of the heavy lifting for her. And, part of me knew she liked things done a certain way and that I'd most likely be in the way. It was the right decision for the sake of our relationship to let her handle this on her own and for me to stay out of her way.

I know it was only two days that we'd have to spend apart, but I hated the idea of it. By the time I had crawled out of bed and changed to go to the gym, I had caught myself expecting her to walk around the corner at any moment a half dozen times. Even though I knew she was only "visiting" my house for those few weeks when we got back from New York, it was like she had always belonged there.

I wanted to spend every second with her but she encouraged me to spend as much time with my friends as I could while she was occupied with the house.

I'm not saying I had regrets, but since the start of our relationship, I had definitely not been as present in my friendships – taking days, sometimes weeks, to respond to messages and I had not made any effort to spend time with them since I had been back in LA.

While Jess was moving, I made plans through my friend Ryan for a baller guy's night out, but I was already trying to figure out how soon would be too soon to text her that I missed her.

As I went to the fridge to grab some water after my run, I caught her unmistakable, perfect, cursive handwriting on a piece of paper on the counter.

After I chugged a bottle of water to rehydrate for what was sure to be a heavy night of drinking, I bent over to read her note:

Z,

I miss you already. I hope you have an amazing time with the guys. Don't worry about me, I'm in good hands.

Seriously. Stop. I'll be fine.

Play all those video games, drink all the beer, watch all the ESPN, burp without having to say 'excuse me'. Do whatever else it is you guys do when your girlfriends aren't watching.

I've got one hell of a reward for you when you're done. I'll text you tomorrow night. Until then, the only thing I want you to worry about is HAVING FUN with your friends.

I love you.
J

The letter was sealed with a kiss – literally – with the outline of her perfect lips in bold red lipstick imprinted at the bottom of the note.

That night, the plan was for everyone to meet up at Ryan's house in the Hills just above Hollywood Boulevard to have a few drinks before heading out for a night on the town.

I walked through the front door of Ryan's small, Spanish bungalow, carrying a bottle of scotch and made my way to the back deck where I knew everyone would be.

"Well look what the cat dragged in!" Ryan shouted as I walked outside and everyone turned to look at me.

Ryan and I clapped our hands together and patted each other on the back.

"It's been too long," I said as I shook hands with the rest of my friends.

"We'll cut you some slack, this once, given your current situation," my friend Wil said.