Escaping Love (Rewrite) [Book #1]

Chapter 50

Disclaimer/Trigger Warning: This chapter contains/mentions verbal and physical abuse, plus violence!

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|| JACKIE ||

|| Saturday, April 11th ||

Shay and I walked out of the parking garage downtown and wandered the city before finding a ring shop.

"Two more months," Shay said. I looked at her oddly, "Before graduation."

"Yeah. Then it's off to college."

"Do you know where you're going?"

"I don't know. I'm thinking of staying, otherwise going to California. I want to talk about it with my family before I make an official decision. How about you?"

"Well, Emma is in Leavenworth, and we both decided to apply to Wenatchee Valley College. It's a community college, and we decided to graduate there before transferring to a university."

"That's great. How is Emma doing?"

"She's okay. We haven't been able to see each other much since she's moved, and the last time I saw her was over the mid-winter break. We're texting and video calling over the weekends, but besides that, we both have other priorities."

I nodded, "I'm happy for you two. I truly am."

"Thank you, Jay. I have you to thank for this. I know how hard it was for you and that I treated you like crap during our time together. I was afraid to ask you about ring shopping, and I know we are on good terms now, but I was scared you're going to be upset or something," Shay said as we crossed the street.

"I was thinking about our past last night, and I'm happy that what we had together has helped us grow. I hope Emma makes you happier than I ever did."

"I'm grateful we pushed through all the tough times and developed this great friendship."

"I agree," I smiled, side-hugging her as we turned the corner of a road.

"Is it weird? Seeing me like this? Happy about commitment?"

"No, you've grown."

"I've screwed up so many chances. I don't know how Emma did it."

"I think you've learned from past mistakes, and Emma is helping you with it. It's great to see that she can get between the tiny cracks of your walls and turn you into someone better."

"Jay, you're getting sappy," she said.

"Hey, I'm speaking from my heart here."

We entered the shop, and I'm kind of jealous that Charlotte and I didn't do ring shopping or anything, but this might be a good place for any future presents.

"This one looks pretty," Shay said as she pointed to the ring.

"Yeah, that one does look pretty."

"Can I help you two ladies find something?"

"Yes. We're looking for promise rings. Can we take a look at this one, please?" Shay asked.

"Of course. It's a gold and silver ring with an intertwined double heart design. It also has diamond accents. It's lovely."

"We can keep this in the back of our minds if you wanted to wander the shop to see any of the others," I suggested.

"Yes, we can do that if you'd like," the saleswoman, Hannah, said.

After about twenty minutes of looking around, we decided that the first ring we saw was the prettiest.

"Great, what size?"