Page 104 of Only You

Twenty-Eight

For the next few days, Jack was like a walking zombie. He didn’t know what to do with himself. He couldn’t even bury himself in work because he was all caught up. Instead, he wandered around his condo, wondering why it felt so big and empty. Then he’d become overwhelmed with guilt and self-loathing for kicking Kayla out.

The day she’d left, he’d called her to make sure she’d arrived safely at her apartment, but she hadn’t answered. He’d also texted her, but there was no response. Finally, he contacted Ryan, who called Josie, and confirmed that yes, Kayla was at their apartment, and no, she didn’t want to talk to Jack, which, of course, he already knew.

In the meantime, he tried repairing the damage with his parents. He’d spoken briefly to his mom, who still sounded sad, and his dad wouldn’t come to the phone. “I don’t know what else to do,” Jack lamented to Eileen.

Eileen sighed. “Just give him a little more time.”

But time was running out. Christmas was less than a week away. At this rate, Jack was destined to spend the holiday alone. Still, he forced himself to decorate his condo as if he were having company. He dragged the artificial Christmas tree down from the attic and set it up in the living room. It was pre-lit, so he added some ornaments, and it was done in no time. Next, he hung a wreath on the front door and strung some lights around the two evergreen trees flanking the front porch. Finally, Jack set out a few holiday scented candles in the living room and called it good.

Surveying the scene, Jack had never felt so alone. Last Christmas, he’d hung out with Ryan before flying to Florida to visit his parents. Now, since Kayla and his parents weren’t speaking to him, he decided to call his friend.

“I can’t believe you waited this long to call me,” Ryan said when he answered the phone.

“What do you mean?” Jack asked.

“You kicked Kayla out three days ago. I thought you’d be over here crying in your beer by now.”

“How is she?” Jack ventured.

“How do you think?”

“Still pissed at me.”

“Good guess.”

Jack sighed. “I don’t know what to do.”

“You could start by apologizing to her.”

“She won’t take my calls.”

“Ever heard of driving over there? You know where she lives.”

Jack winced, because she used to live with him. “If she won’t take my calls, why would she want to see me?”

“It’s called the element of surprise.”

“So she can slam the door in my face.”

“You deserve it.”

“True,” Jack muttered. “Have you seen her, or is Josie keeping you posted?”

“I’ve only seen her once, when I went to pick up Josie for a date.”

“Did Kayla say anything to you?”

“Yeah. She said, ‘Your friend is a jerk.’”

“She doesn’t mince words.”

“I like that about her,” Ryan said.

Usually, Jack did too, but it stung when her criticism was aimed at him.

“Look. I shouldn’t tell you this, but you’re my friend, even if you are a jerk,” Ryan began.