Chapter 3- Start over

                         Remy

I sat there, frozen,every part of me refusing to move, shocked by the news I had just heard.

I felt like a fool whose only crime was to love a person who apparently did not give a shit about me.

Because if he did, he would have at least told me about this, he owed me that much. Instead he broke up with me and bolted that same week.

Cory could see I was reeling– confusion written all over my face.

“I thought you knew. I’m sorry, shouldn’t have said anything.” he gulped hard, voice thick with concern.

“There’s no need to apologize, you didn’t do anything.”  I forced my voice steady. “Your brother on the other hand, isn’t who I thought he was”.

If August’s plan was to make me completely forget him, then that was exactly what I was going to do.

“For what it’s worth, my brother is an asshole”. Cory confessed, offering me a small grin. “And I never understood what you saw in him anyway.”

“Believe it or not Cory, your brother wasn’t always an asshole.” I shook my head. “ But that’s done. No point dwelling in the past. I know better, I just have to focus on me and take away everything that reminds me of him.” I vouched to myself, more than to him.

“What’s your plan?” Cory asked.

“Well, for starters, finding a new apartment. Too many memories in the one I’m in right now.” I placed my finger tips on my temple, gently giving it a massage. 

The thought of sorting the boxes already gave me a headache.

As if sensing I was in pain, Cory pulled himself up slowly as he contemplated his next words. 

“If you’re really serious about moving, I can help.”

“Really? What do you have in mind” I questioned, eager to hear what he had to say

“I have a friend who’s into real estate”

“Of course you do” I rolled my eyes as I replied with a sly smile.

The Wilmers were so influential they had a guy for literally everything. Had to admit, that made life a whole lot easier.

He gave a little laugh, as he ran his fingers through his hair.

“I can give her a call right now and we can go to her if you’re up for it” he concluded, reaching into his pocket for his phone.

“I’d love that. The quicker I get out of that house, the better for me.”

“Then it’s settled. Just give me a few minutes to hit the shower and I’ll be ready.” He said. His footsteps disappeared down the hall till his bedroom door slammed shut.

I picked up my phone but the screen blurred. I wanted to be in August’s room so badly. To see if it still had his scent in there.

Without thinking, I quickly got on my feet, and found myself climbing up the stairs till I stood in front of his door.

I knew I shouldn’t be there, but I twisted the knob anyway. The door sighed open.

The room hit me first. The clean, slightly spicy scent of his cologne and the faint warmth of shower steam. August had always smelled like aftershave and detergent– reliable, ordinary and so vividly his. 

If Aliyah could see me right now, she’d shake her head in disappointment. 

I wouldn’t blame her though, but she doesn’t understand. August held a part of me that no one else did and I’m not sure no one will ever do.

I wandered inside, my eyes dragged lazily around the room.

Everything was immaculate, spotless as always.  The neat stack of folded shirts, the prine desk. August was always known to be a clean freak, a total opposite of me.

On his bed, his favorite black leather jacket lay folded. I strolled casually to it, picked it up and pressed it to my face.

His familiar scent danced across my nose like he never left. It surrounded me like a memory I could hold. My eyes blurred. A single tear slid down my cheek.

I swallowed it back.

I had vowed not to cry over him anymore and I was going to make sure I kept that promise.

I set the jacket down back to its former position.

“Goodbye August.” I whispered before turning back to leave the room.

I closed the door gently then casually strolled down the stairs.

At the bottom of the stairs, Cory was already waiting.

“You ready?” he asked, already showered and changed to a black jean and black fitted polo. Strands of his brown wet hair dangled over his fore head.

“Yeah.” I gave a small, determined smile. “Let’s go.”

******

I sat in the passenger seat of Cory’s Black Mercedes Benz, staring out the window enjoying the beam of sun rays and breeze that kissed my skin. It was a small mercy.

“So, what kind of place do you have in mind?” He asked, breaking the comfortable silence between us.

“ A nice condo in a decent area. Something bigger than the one I’m in currently, possibly two rooms” I turned to him. “Enough place to start over.”

“Two bedrooms? Exactly how much stuff do you have?” He laughed, amused.

I bit my bottom lip. A habit I hadn’t bothered to hide.

“I’m not quite there yet. I’m actually thinking of getting a puppy” 

“A puppy?” He sounded surprised. “I didn’t know you were a pet person.”

“I’m not, not really at least.But I just wanna try it for the first time, see how it feels” I responded as I shrugged my shoulders, trying to sound casual.

“Male or female?” he asked as he pulled up in front of a large condo building.

“Female.” I answered, without hesitation.

“Perfect. I know a guy that could hook us up.” Cory smiled like this was the most natural thing in the world.

"Of course you do.” I laughed, my head falling back against the seat. The idea of starting fresh, no matter how little– a new apartment, maybe a dog, felt like a small bright thing to hold onto.

We stepped out together. For the first time since the breakup, I allowed myself to imagine a life that didn’t have him as a center of attention. It felt fragile and foreign, but it felt possible. And it was all mine.