The Unattainable (The Foreplay to Forgiveness)

Chapter 20 - The Watcher

So tell me, where shall I go? To the left, where nothing's right? Or to the right, where nothing's left?

- Adelaine

There was Xander Basso, my ex-boyfriend, looking down at me.

He spoke something, but I didn’t hear it. I was shocked. I hadn’t seen him for years. And my god, he looked entirely different. His arms were covered in swirling colored tattoos. His hair was buzzed cut. His ears have piercings. And he looked leaner than before. I couldn’t believe it. How my sweet, boyish boyfriend before did changed into something like this? The only thing that convinced me that he was the same man I used to love was his eyes, still striking icy blue. “Xander.” That was all I could mutter. I was mute stricken.

He smiled at me, but it wasn’t the same usual smile he once had. “Is anyone picking you up?”

“No,” I managed to answer, mostly to myself. I continued to stare at him and I was trembling with a dozen conflicting emotions. “I’m going to catch a cab.”

“Hitch with me, then. I’m heading to Belfort.”

Why was he talking so…normal? How can he act as though no time had passed, as though we could take up right where we’d left off?

Brows furrowed, I contemplated my options. This is freaking unexpected and I wasn’t prepared to see him, but he’s back, and I knew this will happen someday eventually. So there’s no point of postponing the inevitable.

Trying to act non-chalant myself, I shrugged my shoulders off and said, “Okay.”

Xander led the way through the busy crowds and I remain quiet until we exited the airport. “Wait here,” he instructed and he jogged his way over to parking area B. Standing there, I feel antsy about how this Thanksgiving week will go now that he is here. A minute later he pulled his car over in front of me, and I stared dumbfounding.

“This is your ride?” I asked in complete awe.

Leaning on his open window, he flashed me a loop-sided grin. “Get in.”

I swear, I swear I have seen this car before. The sleek, black glossy look---this type of car is the kind of car you just don’t easily forget. I feel like I know this car, somehow.

I bet it’s Bugatti. Like those insane wheels in the movies Fast and Furious. Amanda’s words suddenly echoed in my brain. And then it hit me. It was the same car we saw at Haven café.

“Come on, babe,” he urged, and only then I noticed that he climbed out of the car to take my suitcase. “Stop staring at it and just get in. They’re waiting for us.”

We headed down the freeway. Our town is about an hour outside Charleston and as we drive I can’t stop nibbling on my lower lip. I have so many questions to ask, to say, and yet the silence inside the car is deafening.

At last we passed the sign Welcome to Belfort and after fifteen minutes we pulled over in front of my house, a brown brick ranch house. Xander is already out of the car and unlocking my door. My mother comes walking out with Apollo, our 4 year old golden retriever behind her.

“Addie, it’s so good to have you home!” Mom embraced me with a tight hug and my hug came out just as strong.

“It’s good to be home, Mom,” I said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. I bent over and patted Apollo’s head playfully who was wiggling his tail and barking for my attention. “Hey, there, buddy. How is it going?” I was responded by a loud bark and a lick in my hand.

“Xander, come inside!” My mother offered and I was surprised that she recognized and acknowledged him so quick even after his drastic change. “I’m glad you caught Addie on time.”

Wait. Did Xander have already spoken to my mom before I came here?

“Ofcourse, Mrs. Mitchell. It might take a year or a day, but what’s meant to be will always find a way.”

The tiny hairs at the back of my neck stood up. It would have sounded marvelously romantic to me if today was a lot like two years ago, but right at that moment it sounded like there was something else hidden behind that sentence.

        It was creepy.