The next day, I was sitting in my hotel room working on some press releases when Denise knocked on the door. I opened it up and she handed me a plane ticket:
“Take this. You need to get away from all of this for a little while. Even if it’s only for the weekend. Go visit your friends and clear your head.”
I looked down at the ticket. It was for a flight that afternoon to go stay at my school that weekend. I didn’t know what to say so I just hugged her:
“Thank you so much, Denise. I don’t know what to say. Are you sure you’re not going to need me this weekend?” She smiled and nodded:
“Yes, sweetie. You need a break. Not be around Nick for a couple of days.” I grimaced at the mention of his name. I didn’t even want to hear it.
A few hours later, I was packed and ready to go. I walked out into the hallway and ran into AJ and Brian:
“Hey guys. I’ll see you later.” They looked at eachother confused:
“Where are you going?”
“I need to get away from here for a few days. Your mom is sending me to my school to see my friends. I can’t really be here right now. I need time to cool down a little.” They each gave me a hug as we heard the elevator door open and someone walk out:
“What’s going on?” I looked up only to be met by Nick’s piercing blue stare. I quickly turned back to Brian and AJ:
“I’ll see ya around guys.” I picked up my stuff and stepped into the elevator. I looked up and Nick and I locked eyes until the doors closed.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
As soon as the elevator doors shut, Nick turned around and looked at Brian and AJ:
“Is…is she leaving for good?” AJ shook his head:
“No, Nick. Just for the weekend. She’s going to visit her friends.” Nick sighed in relief as the three of them started walking down the hall:
“I have to get her back guys. How do I get her to trust me again?” Brian and AJ exchanged a quick look. Brian spoke softly:
“Nick, you’re going to have to face reality sometime. I don’t think she’s going to come back to you. You can’t even imagine what she’s feeling. Hurt, anger, betrayal, you name it. You’re just going to have to learn to deal with it. I think she’s gone forever, man.” Nick stopped dead in his tracks as tears sprung to his eyes:
“How can you say that to me, Bri? Don’t you see how much this hurts me?” He walked in his room and slammed the door. Throwing himself on his bed, he cried himself to sleep.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
When I landed, Brooke was there to pick me up. I had called her from the airport in Ohio right before I left. As soon as she saw me, she ran over to me and hugged me:
“Hey girl! It’s so good to see you!” As soon as we got my bags we made our way out to Brooks’ jeep. She hopped in the driver’s seat and we were off:
“So, tell me everything. First of all, why are you here?” I sighed and stared at the scenery passing by:
“Nick fucked another girl.” Brooke nearly lost control of the car:
“He did what?!” I proceeded to explain to her the whole story, starting with what I had done. By the end, I was crying so hard that I could barely even speak. She looked at my sympathetically:
“I’m so sorry, Kate. I wish there was something I could say. But, fuck it right now. You’re not thinking about it this weekend. You are getting wasted. Everyone’s going to be so excited to see you.” I smiled.