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

Chapter 90 - Friendsgiving

Author's Note: I wrote this chapter in the spirit of the holiday weekend. To all of
My U.S. readers, I hope you had an amazing weekend with your friends and family.

To all my other readers, I just hope you had an amazing weekend!

I hope you enjoy this chapter (and if you do, don't forget to vote).

I knew Zac was lying when he said he didn't have feelings for me anymore, but I also knew if I pushed the subject any further he was going to ice me out completely.

We hadn't talked since the morning he stopped by my apartment, but I still couldn't stop thinking about him. We were meant to be together. I knew it. And deep down, he knew it too.

I resisted the urge to reach out to him for as long as possible, but as Thanksgiving approached, I couldn't hold out any longer. The holiday was such an important part of our relationship. I couldn't bear the thought of being apart from him for another one.

I rolled over in my brand new king-size bed that filled the master bedroom of my brand new, single-girl apartment in Tribeca and fumbled around on my nightstand for my phone. Sunlight poured through the windows of the beautiful historic building I now called home.

Jess: I miss you.

I stared intently at my phone, watching the three dots indicating Zac was typing a response appear and then disappear for what felt like an eternity. I tossed my phone to the side in frustration and made my way into the shower.

As the hot water cascaded over me, I did my best to push thoughts of Zac from my mind, but all I could think about was how his arms would wrap around me from behind and his lips would travel along my shoulder in the shower each morning when we were together and happy. It felt like that happened in another lifetime, and like it was just yesterday, all at the same time.

I turned the water off and leaned forward against the cold marble, bracing myself with my hands, trying to figure a way out of the mess I created for myself.

When I finally gave up, I wrapped myself up in a luxurious, terrycloth bathrobe and toweled off my hair before returning to the comfort of my bed, fully prepared to waste away a chilly Saturday binge-watching bad reality television.

I rolled over and grabbed my phone and my hands trembled when I saw Zac responded. My cell phone landed with a thud on my forehead, causing me to wince and take a few much-needed deep breaths.

His response sent my heart racing and made my stomach wretch from nerves.

Zac: I miss you too

I looked at the timestamp...it had only been fifteen minutes since he replied. I set my phone face down at the far end of the bed and promised myself I would make it through an entire episode of The Real Housewives before I responded.

I lasted seven minutes.

Jess: Headed home for Thanksgiving?

Zac: No. I only have Thursday and Friday off...there isn't enough time for me to fly home, make it to my mom's and then my dad's and fly back, so I'm just staying here. What about you?

Jess: I keep forgetting your parents are divorced now.  It's so weird...

Jess:  My parents are going to be in North Carolina. I'm having Friendsgiving at my new place.

I bit my thumb nervously as I over-analyzed my next move.

Jess: You should come.