I wrap my arms around my sister in law, “Thanks.”

When the door shuts behind them I walk over to the bar and grab a glass to pour myself a drink. What is that girl doing to my head? I thought everything was done and dusted.

19

Cooper’s been gone for three weeks and I’m barely holding it together. I was doing just fine but that changed the second he left for spring training. There was just something comforting about knowing he was only around the corner if I really needed him. I got my closure the other night at the club, but if I called him I still know he’d be at my side. Now that he’s gone everything in my life feels out of place, like the world has tipped on its axis. I’m not the type of person that gets overwhelmed; I always handle my problems head on, but with every day that passes I feel like the walls are caving in on me. Nothing is going right; nothing makes me happy, nothing is right in my world.

I’ve been hanging out with Hailey more than MacKenzie, Chloe, or even Layla because she can relate to what I’m going through. She’s all alone on bed rest and just as lonely as I am. Plus I live for the phone calls from Mason that she gets. Mason gives her the play by play on how his day is going and I know that Cooper is basically doing the same thing. It’s silly really to latch on to things like that but it’s all I have left.

On the days I have class I normally hang around and wait for Layla to get done with her classes. I’ve more or less become her taxi cab and I don’t mind. It gives me something to do with my time. Layla and I had a heart to heart about Cooper shortly after our “breakup”. I didn’t give her the whole story but enough of it to satisfy her and give her an understanding of what I was going through. When I was done telling her the story, I told her I was over it and ready to move on. She didn’t believe me for a second, I’m not surprised by that either. The more that Layla and I hung out, the closer we became and I realized that in some ways we were a lot alike, but in some we were very, very different.

“You’ve been in a funk since opening night at Fierce.” Layla complains.

It’s true, I have been. I used to feel like I was always moving two steps forward after that horrific night with Kevin. But now with everything I do I feel like I’m taking three steps back.

Sighing, “I know, I have been.” I agree.

“You need a little fun in your life.”

Layla has been pushing me to go out on a date, to have a little fun. She’s told me on more than one occasion that all I do is mope around. Unfortunately she’s right, but it’s the only way I can manage.

Thursday afternoon, in between classes, we’re sitting under one of the trees in the court yard. She points to a few guys that walk by.

“He’s cute.” Layla says, pointing to a tall skinny kid walking by.

I like a guy with some meat on his body, a nice smile, and beautiful eyes. Blue grey eyes that belong to someone I’ll never have again.

“Clearly we have different taste,” I start to say before a guy that looks similar to Cooper walks by, “because…” I’ve completely lost my train of thought. The guy is dressed in black sneakers, tan cargo shorts and a black t-shirt that clings to his upper body. He’s got a black hat that’s pulled down low over his eyes, his jaw is strong and he carries himself with confidence.

Layla starts laughing, “Well, now we know what type of guy you’re into.”

The guy takes a seat at a bench not too far from where we are sitting and takes out a book from his book bag.

I glare at Layla, “Shut up.”

We were sitting here laughing and having a great time until her ass**le boyfriend, Brian, shows up and rains on our parade. Layla’s demeanor changes instantly, she becomes a different person. She turns unsure and nervous.

“You have a way home?” Brian asks before kissing her on the lips.

I roll my eyes and look away.

Layla narrows her eyes at me, “Shithead here is taking me to work.”

Brian kisses her again before adjusting his book bag on his shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Bye.” Layla says timidly.

The second Brian leaves Layla becomes her normal self again. She’s like this every time Brian is around. Something is off with him but I’m just not sure what it is.

“Why do you do that?” I ask, annoyed by the fact that he has so much control over her.

She shrugs and takes a bite of a carrot stick from a container in her purse.

I roll my eyes, “You never answer me.” I slide my sunglasses down on my nose. “Why?”

She starts to shrug her shoulder again.

“Ugh,” I push my sunglasses back up and grab my Kindle out of my purse. I started a really great book last night and I want to finish it.

Layla clears her throat, “So what are your plans for tonight?”

“Oh, now you want to talk.” I respond, clearly irritated. “I’ve got to go over to Chloe’s and help get a few things ready for Hailey’s baby shower.”

She bites down on her carrot and looks over across the way. I turn to see what’s caught her attention. Ryan. Here we go again.

I place my Kindle back in my bag. I guess I’ll have to finish it tonight when I get home. I start gathering my books and Layla does the same.

“Hurry up.” I urge her.

She giggles, “You know, you should just go out on a date with him and make it painfully boring and then maybe he’ll leave you alone.”

“Hey Jay.” Ryan says in a low husky voice that comes out more like a growl.

“Oh hey Ryan, Layla and I are on our way out. She’s going to be late for work.”

Layla flat out laughs and I glare at her. She isn’t helping me whatsoever. “Oh yeah? Where do you work at Layla?”

“That new b---” Layla starts to say before I cut her off. “That new bistro down off College Drive.” I glance back over, hoping she’s going to play along.

“Yeah,” Ryan reaches up and scratches at the scruff around his face. “I’ve heard it was pretty nice.”

I raise my eyebrows at Layla whose eyes are jumping back and forth between Ryan and I. There isn’t a new bistro that opened up on College Drive, not that I know of. Clearly he’s just trying to keep the conversation going.

“Well, we’ve got to get going. We’ll talk to you later.” I grab Layla’s arm and drag her along behind me.

When we’ve gotten a few feet from him I spin on Layla, “Thanks for f**king helping me.”