My shift flew by. I haven’t felt this happy in a long time. It’s not like anything in my life really changed, but I feel like I’m putting myself back together a little. Moving on. So even though I could use the extra money, I was grateful when I got cut early today. I really just wanted to get home and hang out with Reed. I can’t wait to tell him about the customer that was on Tinder while he was on a date with what can I only assume was another Tinder date.
I slip my shoes off and set my bag down on the table as I walk in the house. “Reed?” I call out, but I don’t see him in the living room. His car was in the garage, so maybe he’s in his room. I start walking that way when I hear the sink running in the bathroom, so I walk that way.
The door swings open as I approach. “Hey, I got cut earl-.” My words stop when instead of Reed walking out of the bathroom, it’s some girl I don’t know.
“Oh,” I say as my face drops.
The girl smiles back at me. “Hi, you must be Wren.”
I give an awkward smile back. “Uh...yeah.” I pause. “I’m sorry. Who are you?”
“I’m Katie. Sorry to intrude. Reed said you wouldn’t be home until later.”
“Reed?” I ask absentmindedly. Reed. She’s here with Reed.
I don’t know why it took me so long to put the pieces together. She must think I’m crazy. Why else would there be a beautiful blonde woman standing in my bathroom? She smiles back at me just like that bitch Marley used to do.
I can tell I’m starting to get crazy eyes, and I feel the tears starting to prick. I quickly step back to put some distance between us. “I uh...I got off work early. Did you guys eat already? I’m going to eat now.”
I start to walk backwards toward the kitchen before I make an even bigger fool of myself. I take another step back, but I slam into someone. I whip around and am met with Reed’s eyes staring back at me. “What are you doing here?” he asks, sounding confused, and also not happy.
My heart drops into my stomach. This shouldn’t be bothering me. I don’t know why it is. A heaviness begins to consume my body. I try to shove it down. I don’t want to be sad, so instead I let anger rise up. Except it grows too quickly, and I am soon filled with rage. I have to get out of here.
“I’ll leave,” I whisper so only he can hear me.
I try to walk past him, but he grabs my arm. He nods at Katie, “Give us just a second?”
She nods and walks over into his room. I feel sick to my stomach as I watch her go. What is wrong with me?
The moment his bedroom door closes, I pull away from his grip and push past him. He turns and watches as I walk over to grab my bag. “Wren, you don’t have to leave. I just wasn’t expecting you home already.”
I glance back at him. “You don’t have to sneak your girlfriends around, Reed,” I spit out.
He cocks an eyebrow at me. “Are you upset about something?”
“No!” I say too quickly, so he lowers his eyebrows and looks at me more seriously. I shrug and continue. “She just caught me off guard. You weren’t around, so I didn’t understand why she was here.”
He steps closer to me. “So you have no issue with her being here?”
I shake my head. “Of course not. Why would I?”
He sighs. “Because you’re acting like you do.”
“I don’t want to get in your way. I’ll just go get food somewhere. Is she staying the night?” I ask.
“You don’t have to leave. I already told you that. We’re just hanging out. She just got back in town last night. I’m going to tell her to go,” he says like he really doesn’t want her to.
I am about to speak up when she comes back out of the room. “Hey, I actually have to get going. I told my sister I’d be at her place in an hour.” She walks up to Reed and kisses his cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” she asks.
He smiles at her and nods. “Text me.”
I walk into the kitchen and grab a plate to eat the chicken I made earlier. I see that some of it is gone, so Reed must’ve had some. “Did you give her my food?” I ask once the door shuts.
His eyebrows shoot up. “Your food? What happened to paying your fair share?”
I close my eyes for a moment and take a breath. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m just tired.”
He sits on the stool across from me. “Really? You didn’t work very late.”
I sigh as I plop down next to him with my food. “I’m being a brat, I know. As dumb as it sounds, you’re all I have right now. I don’t like to share,” I try to joke.
He lets out a small laugh. “We’re going out tomorrow if you want to come with us.”
I almost choke on my water. “On your date?”
He laughs harder. “Fuck. No, Wren. I meant a group of us. We’re going to the bar.”
“Oh,” I giggle. “Will Jason be there?”
Reed rolls his eyes and stands from the counter. “I’m going to bed.”
“Already?” I ask as he walks toward his room.
He turns and smiles at me. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did you miss the part where I did all the yard work after I worked all day?” he asks sarcastically.
I smirk. “How could I miss it? You had every mother in the neighborhood out for a ‘walk’ the whole time you were out there.”
He laughs as he continues walking to his room. “Goodnight, Wren!”