68__System flushing
68__System flushing
Erin slammed the taxi door shut and ran into the building, ignoring a few jeers from some kids sitting on the curb.
She didn’t even know exactly where Braden’s mother’s apartment was but judging by where the window had been that night, she could estimate and only hope for the best.
She reached the seventh floor and counted three doors, standing before the brown slab of wood with hope in her eyes.
Quickly knocking, she stepped back and waited, trying to silence the heavy breaths rushing in and out of her lungs.
The door was soon opened and a girl stood in the doorway. She looked exhausted, like she worked three jobs. “Yes?”
Erin blinked in confusion. “Oh. I’m so sorry, I must have the wrong apartment!”
“Who you looking for?” she asked, slowly blinking her bloodshot grey eyes.
“A woman! She’s like middle-aged, has blonde-brownish hair and blue eyes—”
“Oh, yeah?” The girl nodded up the hall. “Next door.”
“Thank you!” Erin took off running.
“Hey, wait! She’s not there!”
Her feet halted. Erin spun back around, hurrying back down the hallway. “She’s not?”
Disappointment filled her eyes.
“Moved out today. Like an hour ago.”
“Wait. She moved out?!”
She frowned. Well, that meant Braden couldn’t have come here then, didn’t it?
“Sure did. Why? Who’re you?”
Raising eyes full of defeat, Erin looked at her. “Oh. I’m looking for someone I thought would be here. He’s—”
“Her son?”
Her eyes went wide. “Yes! Yes, I’m looking for her son.”
“Left with her. She was so happy, she knocked on my door to introduce me and gave me a fat hug before they left. She was so proud, you’d think he was a trophy, the way she showed him off.”
Erin heard the audible crack of her world shattering. She stared at the girl. “He left… with her? Are you sure? Wait! He was probably just walking her down—”
“Nah, they both had bags and Sharon definitely said her son was going with her.”
Erin went still, her face paling. For a long moment, she stood in silence, the hallway blurred by her tears.
“Look, I’mma head inside,” the girl said. “I gotta get ready for work.”
“Wait!” Erin stepped forward, her hands clenching and unclenching in desperation. "Did they s-say where? Where did they go?”
“Hell, if I know, sweetheart. I just know they’re flying. Said something about hoping they’d get an extra flight ticket.” She straightened with a tired yawn and turned away. “See ya.”
She went into her apartment and the door swung shut.
A soft rush of air parted Erin’s lips, disbelief written all over her face. She didn’t understand it. Why would Braden do this? Why would he leave this way? He must’ve been far angrier than she’d thought, but she’d assumed she’d get a chance to fix it.
He could’ve at least spoken to her, he could’ve given her a chance to say sorry, to tell him she loved him.
Slowly trudging to the wall, she leaned her back against it and sunk to a crouch.
But he hadn’t.
He’d left her.
Sharon couldn’t stop looking at him. They had been incredibly lucky to get a ticket, especially one for a seat right next to hers. It gave them even more time to talk on the plane.
Except Braden wasn’t talking, he was frowning at the seat before him.
She glanced around with slow realization. “Oh, my God. I’m so sorry, you must not be used to flying Economy. I should’ve upgraded—"
“No, it’s okay.” He looked at her, smiled. “Don’t worry about anything.”
Her heart sighed with both relief and affection and she stared at him once more. “God... You’ve grown so much.”
Her words were quiet and simple, but the look in her eyes showed all the intense and intricate emotions she felt. He only smiled in return.
“When we get home, I’ll tell you everything,” she promised. “I’ll answer any questions you have. Don’t worry.”
He shrugged, shaking his head. “I’m not worried.”
“You’re not? You sure look worried.”
“Oh.” His eyes turned away and looked out of the window. “There’s something else I’m worried about. Erin.”
Her brows rose. ‘Erin? Who’s Erin?”
He looked at her and Sharon got the answer to her question as soon as she saw the glint in his eye.
“Oh,” she said with a wry smile. “She’s a lady friend, isn’t she?”
He laughed and the sound was a bit awkward but so ridiculously precious to her ears. She’d made him laugh.
“She’s a bit more than a lady friend, mom.”
Sharon’s heart did a violent spin whenever he called her mom, but she forced herself to focus. “Really? Your girlfriend? You have a girlfriend?”
He nodded. “Correct. I’m going to marry her.”
His mother gasped, sparkles filling her eyes. "That’s lovely! She must be an amazing girl.”
“Yeah, she is. We grew up together, I’ve known her all my life. I've loved her for most of it too.”
“How perfect.” She was beyond herself with joy, getting to hear her son talk about the woman he loved. “She must love you very much.”
His smile faltered a little and he glanced out the window. “I… I don’t really know.”
“Oh, please, who wouldn’t love you? If you two grew up together, she probably feels the exact same way for you as you feel for her. Is that why you’ve been worried about her?”
He looked at her. “She doesn’t know I’m here. I ditched my phone and I have no way to contact her, so… I can’t explain things.”
Sharon looked worried, touching a hand to her chin. “Oh. Do you think she might get cross?”
“Not cross, but worried. Knowing her, she might think I’ve gone missing.”
She smiled and petted his arm. “A girl who frets over you is one who truly loves you. Don’t worry, we’ll try to get in contact soon as we land.”
He nodded. “It’s okay. I should be heading back in at least two days, it won’t take long. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“That asshole!” Phoebe slammed her glass down on the table. “I knew we couldn’t trust him!”
Erin sighed morosely, staring into her untouched glass and the liquid it held.
“He didn’t even have the decency to take you with him!”
They were seated on Phoebe’s balcony, their second gathering since the disastrous night of the sleep over. It had been an emergency gathering over Erin’s predicament and she was grateful her friends had immediately dropped everything for her. She had hesitated to call them, terrified that that they’d judge her instead.
There was no judgment in sight, only dark, unfiltered rage.
Slowly, Erin lifted her eyes to Jackson. He sat in stony silence, his arms crossed over his chest as he glowered at the horizon.
“Sky’s so blue,” he muttered darkly, his murderous tone contrasting the cheerful words.
“Who cares about the sky right now?!” Phoebe snapped. “I’m gonna kill Braden Stone with my bare hands!”
Erin’s eyes went from Phoebe to Jackson and then lowered. “I’m not hearing any ‘Told you so’s.”
Phoebe pursed her lips. “That comes later. For now, we plot the downfall of Braden Stone.”
Jackson remained silent and Erin felt her gut churn. Jackson only stayed silent when he had nothing nice to say. That alone gave her a clear picture of how colourful his thoughts probably were at that moment.
“And his granddad,” Phoebe said. “What’s his deal?! He always favoured you over Braden, but suddenly you’re not good enough?”
“Apparently, he thinks Braden’s the one who’s not good enough for me,” Erin explained, putting her chin on her palm. “Doesn’t believe Braden could love me.”
“Love?” Jackson asked, frowning. “You guys… you guys have gone that far? You’re in love with him?”
“Last time we met, you didn’t even know how to define what you two have,” added Phoebe.
Erin sighed. “It’s all complicated, but there’s just one thing that I’m sure of. I love him. Stupidly.”
“Stupidly is correct,” Phoebe said.
“Pheeb.” Jackson warned.
“No.” She waved him off, looking crossly at Erin. “Stupidly perfectly describes your feelings for him. I know you can’t help it right now, babe, but we’re gonna have to work on that. He’s gone, you’re not moping around, I won’t let you! Flush him out of your system until he’s past tense.”
Her entire expression grey with misery, Erin stared lifelessly at the table. What Phoebe was saying was easier said than done. Erin felt like her soul was being torn apart. Even with the text message he sent her, even with the confirmation she’d gotten that he’d left… she still wanted to run after him.
Even if it was to see him one more—
“Do I hear a yes?!” Phoebe roared.
Jolting, Erin looked at her. “Y-yes! Yes, I’ll… I’ll flush him out of my system.”
“Good.” Her friend nodded, eyes narrowed furiously. “My Erin deserves way better than someone who can leave without even bothering to let you know.”
“I agree,” Jackson said quietly.
Erin looked at him and he met her gaze, his eyes filled with sincerity. “You deserve the best, Erin. You’re the most important person in my life and we’ve been through everything together. I know my feelings don’t matter more than yours, but I really fucking hate seeing you mistreated.”
Her eyes slowly filled, her mouth turning down as she held back tears.
He smiled sadly. “Can’t you love someone else? Someone better, Erin. Please.”
Sniffling, she reached up and wiped her eyes. “Yeah.” She nodded, smiling back at him. “I hear you, this time I’ll listen.”
“You promise?”
“I promise. I’m sorry, Jackson, I’ve been a mess lately, haven’t I? I keep stressing you guys out,”
“That’s what friends are for,” Phoebe muttered, dropping ice into her glass. “Stressing out for you when you make dumb choices. The lesson is that we don’t do it again. Right?”
Jackson sighed, looking away at the sky again. “Right.”
“Excellent.” Phoebe picked up her phone.
“What are you doing?” Erin asked distractedly. “Ordering in?”
“Nope.” She gave her an evil smile. ‘I’m helping you flush Braden Satan’s Stone out of your system.”
“You’d need to order in to do that,” Erin pointed out lifelessly. ‘Pizza will do, thick base.” She highly doubted pizza would work, this time.
“Forget pizza. I’ve got something better.”
She turned her phone around and Erin blinked at the screen.
The face of a gorgeous man stared back at her.
“Name’s Daiki. He’s Japanese-American, gorgeous as hell, rich as fuck and the best part? He’s the sweetest soul I have ever met.”
Raising her eyes from the phone to Phoebe’s face, Erin smiled puzzledly. “Why… are you showing me this?”
“Why else?” Her friend smirked. “You are going on a date with him.”