LOGINHours pass in a blur of punishment. By late afternoon, I finally collapse onto the bench near the weights rack, breathing heavily. Sweat is dripping from my jaw as I grab my water bottle and take a long drink. That is when my phone buzzes. I frown immediately when I see the name. Chase. I wince know
GregI wake up to pure silence. Not the comforting kind either. The kind that presses down on my chest and makes the entire house feel hollow. For a few seconds, I stare blankly at the ceiling above me, disoriented from the deep sleep I had crashed into sometime after dawn. My body aches from the fl
“There she is,” Sav says softly while glancing toward me. I smile faintly. “Yeah.” When we finally reach Sav and Chase’s place, I look around curiously while dragging my suitcase inside. The apartment feels warm. Lived in. Comfortable. Sav immediately launches into a dramatic house tour. “This is
I grip the armrest for the first few minutes of ascent until finally— Ding. The seatbelt sign is switched off. The plane has leveled out. And the medication has hit me fully. The tension slowly drains from my body like someone is releasing a valve. My eyelids have become heavier. The engine noise fa
My anxiety starts to build again the second I step onto the plane. The narrow aisle suddenly feels too tight. Too enclosed. Too crowded. People shuffle around slowly in front of me while the overhead compartments slam open and shut. Conversations blend together into overwhelming background noise, wh
Greg: The apartment is exactly how you left it before I returned into your life. I managed to get a flight back to San Diego tonight. I left my copy of your key on the kitchen counter. I’m sorry for trying to control your life without your permission or input. I was scared, and I handled it badly. I
“Okay, that is enough from the pair of you,” I shout loud enough for them both to hear me. I turn to look at Chase “You promised me you would behave, and you know damn well I lost my virginity years ago so don’t give me any bullshit on that and plus consider it payback for the other night when I hea
“I’m good, thanks.” I turn to walk away, but Greg stops me by grabbing hold of my arm, pulling me back toward him. “You still reading those smutty books that get you so turned on you become ravenous?” Blushing vigorously, I turn quickly and power walk back to duty-free.I can’t believe he remembers
“Jen, I know you’re crying. There’s no need to hide it from me. I am feeling the same pain and hurt you are. I hate the pain I caused you all those years ago. There’s nothing more I can do than apologize; that’s all I can offer until I can remember why I did what I did.”“Just drop it, Greg. It’s al
JenGarrett and I arrive at the party which looks to be in full swing. The DJ is playing ‘Dead Man’s Party’ by Oingo Boingo as we walked through the door seeing a crowd of people dancing away to this old 80’s classic. Garrett takes hold of my hand and lean into say something into my ear, “Care to da







