The Aftertaste

Chapter Two

My hands are sweaty. Before I can stop myself, I'm typing Joe Alexander into my search bar. Pictures instantly pop up, his grey eyes pierce me through the screen. I want to slap him. There aren't any photos with a Hawaiian girl, just beach pictures and beer. He's back drinking. I click through the photos, getting lost in every single one. He's been living his best life and I've just been here, living. Not to say that I'm not happy. But trips? Grayson freaked on our last plane trip. I'm too embarrassed for that again.
"It's not good to pry in other people's business."
I jump at the sound of my mother standing over me.
"Says the lady sneaking up on people. Doesn't he look so happy?"
"I knew something was happening between you two that time I walked in his apartment and he had thrown you on the floor quick. I knew."
I laugh, trying not to blush. Giving Mom the rundown of my love life was quite weird. I didn't know how she would take it but she took it well enough. Until I told her I didn't notify the men of Grayson's existence.
"I don't know how, but he makes me angry. To see him this happy, I'm angry."
"You have Grayson, you aren't happy?"
"You have Calvin and you aren't happy. So why should I? I'm alone."
"And you think I'm not? Davie is his father, yes, but that mans a wreck now. Barely getting by-what are you going to do?"
I stare at Joe, smiling and beautiful. He hasn't aged a bit. I miss his touch. His lips. His skin against mine. I miss the way he can hold me in his arms and everything that once hurt, doesn't hurt anymore. I miss his smell. His laugh. His demeanor. I miss the sex. Most of all, I miss what we had.
Grayson screams from his crib, his sleeping coma officially ended, along with my daydreaming.
"I'm going to plan his mother's wedding."
I shrug standing up, ignoring my mothers shaking head. I mean, I left, I had a choice. He's moved and so must I.