String Beans (The Girls of Beachmont #2) (10 page)

When I’d left our apartment that day, moving all
of my things out, I’d listened to him begging me to stay. I heard the promises
of change and making things better. I had struggled right alongside my husband.
I’d worked a job that paid very little and managed to save some of it for when
we needed it.

He had never sacrificed anything for us. His
music, his dream, was alive and well. And I had slowly died inside, and I’d
never realized it. I’d slowly turned into a woman I never wanted to be—bitter.

I was as much to blame for what had happened to us
as he was.

Okay, well, maybe not
as much
because
I
never
cheated.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and found his
contact information filed under
Cheating Asshole
Husband
and hit the Call button.

“Vi?” He answered on the first ring, his voice
conveying his shock that I called.

“Hey, Will. How are you?” I asked. It was the
first time we’d talked in a while, and I was able to keep the anger out of my
tone.

He exhaled loudly. “I’m so glad you called. Are
you okay?”

“I’m fine. I was out for a walk and thought I’d
call. You doing all right?”

“Better now that I’ve heard your voice,” he said
quietly.

I started to smile, but then I remembered how good
he was at sweet-talk.

“I have so much I want to say to you. I’ve wanted
to call, but I didn’t know if you’d answer.”

“What would you have said if I did?”

“I would have told you how sorry I was and how
much I love you.”

“Yeah?”

“Of course. You have to know that, Vi,” he said.
“Hold on.”

There was a thud when he set the phone down and I
could tell that he was talking to someone in the distance so I waited. I was
looking around and a mother with a jogging stroller passed by and smiled. Something
on the phone caught my attention and I heard something else.

“I’ll call you later,” I heard him say, though it
wasn’t completely clear.

“Promise?” I heard a feminine voice ask coyly.

“Yeah,” he answered and then there was silence.

I closed my eyes and a million scenarios ran
through my head. There was a desire to hang up, but I’d avoided the truth long
enough.

I heard the woman giggle and Will made a noise
before I heard the familiar sound of a door shutting. It was a few seconds
before he got back on the phone.

“Sorry about that,” he said, as if I had no idea
what he was up to. “What were you saying?”

“I wasn’t saying anything, Will. You were telling
me how much you love me and how sorry you are.”

“I really am,” he said almost sincerely. “I’m
so
sorry, baby.”

“I really wish I could believe that,” I said.

“Then believe it, because it’s true.”

“How stupid do you think I am?”

“What?”

“I heard
her
,
Will. The woman there with you, the one you promised to call.”

“That was my friend. She’s
just
a friend,” he defended.

“I’m sure she is.”

“That’s all she is,” he said defensively.

“Wanna try again…maybe with the truth?” I
challenged

“She’s….” He sighed and I pictured him doing that
nervous tic of running his hand through his hair. “It was nothing, Vi. I was
out last night and—”

“Please stop. No details. I don’t need to hear
it.”

“Then just hear this: it won’t happen again—I
swear.”

“Careful using big words that you don’t know,
Will. They have a habit of biting you in the ass.”

“Vi.”

“Listen, my friends are coming,” I said, spotting
Callie and Dallas. They were still quite a distance away, but they were a valid
enough excuse. “I gotta go.”

“I love you,” he said.

“Bye, Will.”

I ended the call and breathed out a shaky breath.
It took me until Dallas and Callie reached me before my nerves settled. They
were both smiling as I stood up to join them.

“That wasn’t too long,” I said.

“We missed you,” Callie said with a smile.

“Yeah, and the princess here was too hot,” Dallas
teased and then studied me. “You okay?”

I nodded. “I’m good.”

And it was the truth. It was the conversation I
needed to have but had avoided because I thought I wouldn’t be able to handle
it.

“Let’s go get smoothies or something,” Callie
suggested.

“We just got here,” I reminded her. “I thought we
were going to hike.”

“Yeah. Thirty more minutes, Cal,” Dallas said.

“And then we’ll go home because I need to work on
my resume for tomorrow.”

“Fine,” Callie groaned, following Dallas.

“Yep,” I muttered to myself as I trailed behind.
“I’m going to be fine.”

As cliché as it sounds, that was the weekend that I
decided I would do whatever it took to turn my life around. I still woke up
feeling down, and some days were better than others, but I’d give myself a pep
talk and move on. I didn’t want to be defined by my failed marriage, and I
certainly didn’t want to end up evicted because I hadn’t found another job.

Mr. Bateman hired me on the spot, though we both
knew I was grossly overqualified. My degree in music left few options, but I
was thankful for the business minor my dad had insisted I get. Mr. Bateman
needed an assistant, but I stepped up and started organizing his accounts and
taking care of billing his clients. I’d done the same for Alex when I worked at
the music store, so it was something with which I was familiar.

I was excited to have a steady paycheck and
wouldn’t have to worry about making rent. Still, I started to consider the idea
of a roommate to help split the cost of living. My apartment was small, but the
two-bedroom unit was perfect for sharing and the second room went completely
unused.

Jolie was supposed to come visit the following
weekend and I was excited to show her around. And more excited to let her see how
I was doing. She called me a few days before she was scheduled to be in town
and sounded worn out. She had been working for the same marketing firm since we
graduated. Even though she liked the work, she hated her manager. He’d made her
life hell ever since she turned down his offer to take her out.

“You are still coming to visit, right?”

“Yes. Definitely. I have to see your new place and these people you’ve
been telling me about. Especially this Wyatt guy.”

“I can’t wait to see you,” I said happily. “Hell, I think you just need
to move here with me.”

“Very funny,” she quipped. “I have a job, remember.”

“Yeah. One you hate.”

“I don’t hate it.”

“Tell me you don’t still have your resignation letter saved on your
desktop waiting for Kevin to piss you off.” She was quiet and I started
laughing. “Told you.”

“Not everyone gets to do what they love. I mean, look at you.”

“What about me?”

“Have you written anything?”

I thought for a moment and sighed. “No. No music.”

“Wait…you’ve written something else?”

“Not really. Just some thoughts, nothing huge.”

“Vi, that’s awesome. I’m so proud of you.”

“It’s nothing special, but it’s nice to get something down.”

“So when does she get here?” Callie asked.

She and Dallas were insistent on being at my place
when Jolie showed up, so we spent the afternoon watching TV and hanging out.

“Soon. I think. She texted from a gas station an
hour ago.”

“Speaking of Wyatt,” Callie said.

“No one was talking about Wyatt,” Dallas said.

“Yeah, well, we should.”

“What about him?” I asked.

Wyatt had been noticeably absent the few times I’d
stopped into String Beans and I began to think he was avoiding me. I didn’t
have his phone number, so it wasn’t like I could call him to just say “hey.”

My friends were exchanging weird looks when I
interrupted with a laugh.

“What’s going on with you two?”

“Remember how we mentioned that Wyatt might be
calling Bethany to rent a unit?” Callie asked.

“Yeah…”

“Well, she didn’t have any available.”

“That’s too bad,” I answered. The way Callie and
Dallas talked, it sounded like it was a shit situation.

“That’s when I mentioned that maybe
someone
needs a roommate.” She smiled.

My jaw dropped open and I felt hot all over. What
in the hell were they thinking?

“No way. He’s not moving in here,” I objected
instantly. “I barely know the guy.”

“Not you, crazy! Dallas,” she said.

“Dallas wants to move in with me?” I looked at the
two of them and waited for an explanation.

“Try to follow along,” she said slowly as if
talking to a child. “Dallas offered to let Wyatt take the spare in his place.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. ‘
Oh
.’
Not you.”

“Well that’s great.” I smiled. And then I realized
what that meant. “Wyatt is going to live three doors down from me?”

“Yep,” Callie laughed.

Before I had time to process the information,
there was a loud knock on my door and I jumped to my feet. I threw the door
open and stood with wide arms waiting for Jolie to hug me.

But it wasn’t her.

“Wow, that’s some welcome,” Wyatt said.

He was quite handsome in his khaki shorts and
white T-shirt. I smiled up at him and decided to give him the hug that I was
saving for Jolie.

“Sorry,” I said, stepping aside. “I’m waiting for
my friend. How are you? I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Missed me, huh?” He winked. “I’ve been at my parents’
packing my stuff up. Emma’s been handling things at the store.”

“I just heard, I guess we’re going to be
neighbors.”

Wow. Cheesy!

I was never as grateful for someone knocking on my
door as I was at that moment. Jolie knew how to make an entrance, and
apparently how to save me from myself. That time I
knew
it was her. Especially when I heard her voice on the other
side and she rapped on the door incessantly.

“I’m here. I’m here. I’m here,” she called out.

When I opened the door, my blond-haired friend
stood with arms wide open like I’d done when Wyatt showed up. I looked over my
shoulder and he laughed.

“It took you long enough,” I laughed, hugging her
tightly. “I missed you. I’m so glad you’re here! Come in and meet everyone.”

Jolie was always the outgoing one. She never met a
stranger and always lit up a room. Callie and Dallas walked over and I made
introductions.

“So you’re Wyatt,” she practically purred. “I
mean, nice to meet you.”

“How was the drive?” I asked, dragging her toward
the couch so she wasn’t able to say anything else.

“Hey,” Callie called out from the door. “We’ll see
you in a little for dinner. It was so nice meeting you.”

“You too.” Jolie waved. She waited until the three
of them had left and the door was shut before she looked at me. “Good grief,
that man is beautiful.”

“Which one?” I asked pulling her to sit down.

“Well, both, actually. But Wyatt, he’s cute. And seems
nice.”

I couldn’t disagree, and even if I did, she’d see
right through me.

“And my neighbor,” I said.

“Since when?”

“Since about two seconds before you showed up.
Apparently he’s moving in with Dallas to be close to the shop.”

“Lucky us.” She smiled playfully.

“Us?”

“Uh…yeah.” She smiled and threw her arms up in the
air. “Surprise!”

“What’s going on?” I asked, returning her smile.
“Don’t screw with me, Jo.”

“I did it. I printed out my resignation and
delivered it to my boss the other day.”

“You’re kidding! You told Kevin you quit?”

“Not exactly,” she laughed. “I talked to the art
director, Chelsea, and asked for a relocation to the L.A. office, and she
signed off on it.”

“Really?” I squealed. “That was quick.”

“Full disclosure…I had this in the works for a few
of weeks. I hired a moving company and tried to schedule my ‘visit’ to coincide
with the delivery.

“This is crazy,” I said with a laugh. Jolie was
spontaneous, something I’d always known about her, but the news of her big move
surprised me.

“Does the offer to take the spare room is still apply?”
she asked timidly.

I realized then that she mistook my shocked
silence for disappointment. I threw my arms around her neck and hugged her
tightly before releasing her.

“Yes. Absolutely! When can you move in?”

“The moving company should be here tomorrow.”

“You were that certain I was going to let you move
in, huh?” I teased.

“I do know you pretty well,” she laughed. “And it
seems like just yesterday you were practically begging me to move in.

“You caught me,” I said. I looked around the
apartment and then at Jolie. “Just one question: How are you going to fit all
your stuff into this little place?”

While I still had tons of free space, Jolie’s old
apartment in Wyoming was bigger than my place and she had very little room to
spare.

“Whatever doesn’t fit, I’ll put in storage. It’s
all good.”

“I can’t believe you’re moving in. I’m so happy.”

My eyes became teary and I tried to fan the
wetness away with my hand, but it wasn’t working.

“Hey, what’s wrong? Do you not want me here?”

“No,” I sniffed, shaking my head and trying not to
cry. “It’s not that.”

“Then what’s going on?”

I shook my head again and took a deep breath.

You are not going to cry.

“Will?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

“Did he call you?”

“I called him.”

“Now why would you do that?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. But I called and we
talked. He had someone there with him.”

“Who was it?”

“I don’t know. But I have a feeling our old
apartment has become a revolving door of women,” I admitted. “You know, I
didn’t even cry after I talked to him. Nothing. I wasn’t hurt. I wasn’t angry.
I was just…”

“Okay,” she finished and I nodded.

“Yeah—I was okay.”

“So then why the soggy eyes?”

“Because you moving in reminded me that he was the
last person I lived with, and it ended so badly.”

“Honey, I promise not to cheat on you,” she said
seriously, placing her hand over mine, and I laughed.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” I said, hugging her
again.

“I’m just going to put this out there, okay? And
you can do with it what you want.” She paused and waited for my nod before she
continued. “You’re never going to truly move on until you have the divorce
papers drawn up. And…
oh how convenient
…you
work for a lawyer.”

“Jo...”

She put her hands up in the air and smiled. “I’m
just
sayin
’.”

I didn’t need to respond. I knew she was right.
And she knew I needed to do things in my own time.

“So which room is mine?”

“The first door on the left.”

She jumped up off the couch and disappeared,
leaving me alone to consider her advice.

***

“Are you ready?” I called out.

Jolie and I had spent the last few hours unloading
the things she had been able to bring in her car. Luckily, her bed would arrive
the next day, so I’d only have to deal with her kicking for one night.

“Be right out,” she answered.

Callie and Dallas were waiting for us at his place
so we could try a new sushi restaurant across town. I knew they would get along
well and couldn’t wait to show her everything I’d done—just like she
wanted.

“All right, let’s go,” she said.

Jolie was wearing a black sequined top with her
skinny jeans and tall boots. She’d pulled her long hair into a braid draped
over her shoulder. I opted for my favorite skinny jeans paired with a white
button-down with the sleeves rolled up. I’d managed to fix my hair into a low,
messy bun.

We each looked at the other and laughed.

“Good and evil?” I asked.

“Always,” she winked.

I showed her to Dallas’s apartment, where he and
Callie stepped out immediately.

“I’m so hungry,” Callie said.

“Then let’s go,” Dallas answered, locking his
door.

We got to the street and had started walking
toward Callie’s car when Dallas stopped walking.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Just waiting for Wyatt.”

“Wyatt?”

“Yep,” I heard Wyatt say behind me.

“Um, guys, my car only holds four,” Callie said.

“Well.” Jolie grinned and I knew she was up to
something. “Callie, why don’t I ride with you and Dallas so I can get the real
story on my girl here. And Vi, why don’t you take Wyatt in your car? All set?”

“Sounds good.” Callie smiled.

“Works for me,” Dallas added. They started to walk
away, leaving me alone with Wyatt.