First Kiss, First Love, First Heartbreak

Chapter 13

"Olivia, you look, like a mess." He says, as he tightens his grip on Carolina's hand.

"Just because we broke up, doesn't mean you get to tell me I look like a mess. And you," I point to Carolina. "You don't get to show your face around me. Do you understand? Matt is going to be so hurt when he finds out. I can't believe you. Do either of you have feelings? Or is that why you're perfect together? Because you're both monsters." I didn't know I was crying until Jere wiped a tear from my cheek. The whole diner is silent and looking our way. I want to scream at all of them and tell them to mind their own business, but I'll only cause more of a scene.

Carolina has a tear running down her face, good. "I'm sorry, I truly am."

I roll my eyes and shake my head. "Does Matt know?" But before she can answer, Matt walks through the front doors of the diner. He waves to me, but his face freezes when he sees Cole and Carolina holding hands. He walks over.

"What the hell is this?" He demands as he points to their hands. "And Liv, what are you doing here with him." He squints as he looks at me. "Why are your eyes red?"

Carolina walks up to him. "I'm dumping you." That's all she has to say? I stand up and climb over Jere and punch her. I don't realize what I did until her nose is bleeding and my knuckles hurt. Jere grabs me and leads me to his car. He grabs my underarms and lifts me to the bed of his truck. He goes around to the front of the truck and comes back with ace wraps, a rag, and rubbing alcohol.

"Let me see your hand." I listen and give him my hand. He pours the alcohol, and I suck in a breath. It burns, bad. I now understand why Cole held on to my hand so tightly. He dabs the rag on to the sores and then wraps it in the white, rough, ace wraps. "Good as new." He jumps up so he sits next to me. "That was awesome by the way, she deserved that. If I wasn't already eighteen I would've punched Cole." I laugh. Glad to know he would fight for me. "So, are we still on for a date this Friday?"

"Yeah. I'm excited, we worked before, I think we can work again." I bump my shoulder to his. "I mean we already know how we work, so let's ease into this relationship."

"Sounds good Livi." I smile. He grabs my uninjured hand and kisses it lightly. I feel heat rush to my cheeks. A few weeks ago, he was making me red from anger. A few years ago, he was making me red from blushing, here we are again. "Sorry, the diner didn't go as planned."

I laugh. "It's okay, plus we can get Pop Tarts instead." I brush the dead leaves off the back of the truck.They make a noise as they fall to the paved ground. It's cold out, but not too cold.

"I'd like that," he says with a smile. He jumps down then grabs my hips and sets me down gently. "I've had some experiences with bloody and bruised knuckles. If I were you, I would try to avoid using that hand as much as possible for a few days." I say okay, and we go.

***

He grabs four boxes of Pop Tarts off the shelf. "Isn't that a bit much?"

"Nope." He says popping the p. He puts three boxes of Chewy bars in the cart. I smile. "Get in."

"What?" The cart? I think I'm a bit big for that. He points to the cart, I shake my head.

"If you don't get in, then I'll throw you in." I stand still holding my ground. He picks me up so fast that one second I'm on the ground and the next, I'm in his arms. He puts me in the cart. "Told you." He says through laughs. I laugh too. He keeps filling the cart up.

When he stops by the chicken, he grabs a lot. "Why are you grabbing so much? I mean, I know you eat a lot, but a whole chicken for you and your mom."

He shakes his head. "My dad is coming to town. Livi you should come."

"No, I don't want to intrude."

"Livi, you never intrude, you're family. Plus my dad is bringing Sour Cream."

I sigh. "I hate that dog."

"I know. But please come. It'll be good for my parents to have something to talk about that isn't my Mom's cancer."

"Okay, I'll come." He puts the chicken in the cart and drives the cart to the dessert area. It smells so sweet. They have everything here, from cookies, to red velvet cake, to peanut butter cupcakes. He stops the cart in front of vanilla cupcakes. He remembers. I only like vanilla. Chocolate is just too sweet for me. He puts the vanilla cupcakes, that look the most fresh, in the cart beside me. I adjust the position I'm in so I can make more space, but my long legs make that a little hard. I turn just a little bit, but enough to touch the cold metal of the cart. I squeal. Jere looks at me, and I pretend nothing happened.