“Calm down,” Bailey hissed. “I’ll go over there after work and get your stuff. He won’t even think about pulling any of that crap with me.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Bailey went to hang up and then remembered. “Hey, any news on Jackson?”
“I haven’t heard anything,” sighed Caroline.
“No news is good news, right?”
“Sure.” Caroline hung up before Bailey could ask her any more questions. She wandered bleary-eyed up and down a few streets before she realized she had no idea where she was.
Chapter Eighteen
Eight weeks had passed since Caroline had last seen Jackson. Alex had called two days earlier to let her know that the swelling in his brain had subsided and the doctors were going to try to bring him out of the coma. There was little that he could guarantee, but he promised to let her know when Jackson opened his eyes.
“Are you gonna go out there or what?” Bailey asked.
“I can’t. I felt so out of place when I was there before. His best friend hates me, he has another girlfriend, and his parents didn’t even know who I was.”
“So what?” Bailey snapped.
“What if he doesn’t want me? I left him that letter. If I’m what he wants, then I know he’ll call. But if he doesn’t, then I have my answer.”
“You infuriate me, you know?” Bailey’s comment made Caroline chuckle. “I’m serious,” Bailey continued. “Leaving your future in the hands of a letter? A letter you handed to another girl, Caroline Weber! If that was me, I’d have thrown that letter in the trash the second you walked out the door. Pshhh…letter, my ass.”
Caroline paused. “She wouldn’t do that.”
Bailey groaned. “How do you know? You don’t even know that girl. She doesn’t owe you anything.”
“Don’t worry. Alex knows about the letter too.”
“Well, thank God! You could have told me that in the first place,” Bailey chastised.
“I’m heading home. You coming?”
“Not yet. I still have to finish some stuff first. I’ll see you there.” Bailey sat in her cubicle and typed furiously.
Caroline headed toward the local deli to grab a sandwich before they closed. She squinted as she saw a couple headed toward her. Was that Clay? Her feet stopped. She was certain it was him. Walking with another girl? Was that his girlfriend? Had he moved on already?
Caroline chastised herself. It wasn’t any of her business. She had given up all rights to know about Clay’s personal life when she decided not to be a part of it. She continued walking, each step bringing her closer to him. Clay’s pace slowed to a stop and Caroline did the same.
“Hi, Care,” Clay’s voice wavered. “Uh, this is Gina. We work together.”
Caroline reached out and shook the pretty girl’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Gina.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too.” Gina smiled and turned to face Clay, “I’ll give you some time alone.” She squeezed Clay’s shoulder before walking toward a corner store.
Caroline did her best to play the uncaring, totally-over-it ex-girlfriend—um, ex-fiancée—but this was harder than she ever would have thought. Her chest felt tight as jealousy filled her every pore. She knew that logically she didn’t want Clay back, but the truth was that she didn’t want to see him with anyone else either. She felt irrational and immature.
“It’s good to see you,” Clay said.
Caroline swallowed hard. “You too. Gina seems nice and she’s really pretty.” Caroline forced a smile.
“She is nice. We’re just friends, though.” Clay insisted as he looked in Gina’s direction. “She’s just really been there for me, you know?”
“That’s great…” Caroline fought to hold back her jealousy, “that you have someone to talk to about everything.”
Clay cringed and then asked, “So, how’s Jackson? Any change in his condition?”