Before You

Chapter 36

I take another sip from my coffee cup and try to focus on my Professor at the front. If I can make it through this class, I'll be finished for the rest of the day. My mind wonders to Jett and I think about all of the fun he's probably having in Gatlinburg. He has to be having more fun than I am. My mind has been swamped with thoughts since I saw the text he received from Andrew. Jett slept on my couch Sunday night and left for his trip bright and early on Monday morning. I didn't say anything about Andrew's text. I'm assuming he doesn't even know that I saw it. I'm trying my best to think things through before I ask him about it. The last thing I want is for him to feel like I'm over exaggerating about nothing.

The last few days have been difficult. Jett has been busy on his trip. I've only spoken to him a few times and our conversations have been short. I've been preoccupied with school and errands, but my mind always goes back to that text. It's definitely taken a newfound restraint for me not to lash out about Andrew's words. Why did Andrew say that? Is he just trying to come between Jett and I? Is Jett hiding something from me? I want all of these questions answered and fast. However, any issues that Jett and I have had thus far have been my fault. So, I'm trying to take a different route. Maybe he'll approach me about what's going on when he returns. I can only hope.

Noises of mumbling and shuffling of papers bring me back to focus. I look around and see everyone gathering their things. My professor must have dismissed class. I wasn't even paying attention. I have got to get my head out of the clouds. I feel my phone vibrating and pull it out of my purse as I head for the door.

"Hello?" I ask.

"Hey Evy, it's Peyton." She says. "I'm not far from you. I was going to see if you want to grab some coffee?"

I look down at my watch. I have time. "Sure. A friend of mine is coming into Atlanta soon. I'm waiting on him to call me, but I have time until then. Let's meet at Moe's."

"Okay great! I love that place. I'll see you soon." She says and hangs up the phone.

Twenty minutes later, I'm sitting in a booth at Moe's when Peyton arrives. I watch as she enters the building and I hold up my coffee to show that I've already gotten one. Peyton nods her head in acknowledgment and heads straight to the counter to order one for her. I glance out of the window and watch as cars go by. A woman walks by the coffee shop walking her dog. The dog appears to be a longhaired Chihuahua. However, its entire body has been cut short except for the hair that was left on top of its head. It almost looks like the dog is wearing a wig. I would never see something like that in Savannah, I think to myself, and smile. I look up just as Peyton takes a seat in the booth.

"I'm so glad you were free to meet me." Peyton says.

"Of course. We haven't talked in a couple of days. How are things going?" I ask her.

Peyton rolls her eyes before responding. "Well, I got the restraining order against Davis." She begins. "But the weirdest thing happened. While I was at the Police Station I swear I overheard one of the officers say that this isn't Davis's first restraining order."

"What?" I question her.

"Yeah. He said something about Davis not learning his lesson the first time. I don't think the officer knew I was listening." She replies.

"That's crazy. If he's done this before, you would think that someone would take it seriously and do something about it." I respond.

"I know. I just hope this restraining order puts some distance between him and I.," she says frankly.

"Absolutely." I conclude.

Peyton picks up her phone for a few seconds to scan through it. I'm glad she got the restraining order against Davis. I can't believe that he's possibly done this before. How can someone do this over and over again and not be punished for it? As soon as the thought enters my mind so does an image of Davis. I'm sure his family has enough money to get him out of situations like this. And why is he seeking out someone like Peyton. She's a beautiful girl and so much fun to be around, but she doesn't strike me as his type. I imagine he probably doesn't have much trouble with most women, one reason being because of his wealth. That's the point, I think to myself. Peyton is similar to me, in the fact that she doesn't care about how much money someone has. Maybe Davis knows she's not an easy target and that's why he keeps seeking her out. Even if it's by using fear, he wants to win her over. I cringe at the thought.