I leave them and enter the kitchen. Chelle left her car keys on the counter. It would be so easy to take them and run… I grab a bottle of water and unscrew the cap, taking a sip. Those keys are taunting me.
Fuck it. I sneak out the side door with a twelve pack of some shitty light beer and Chelle’s keys. Missi wasn't kidding about cleaning out the house of anything fattening, or carbs. That includes the alcohol.
I hop in the small sedan, press the garage button and back out, looking over my shoulder. My body is thrumming with energy and my heart is racing. When I reach the gate and it opens from the sensor, I take some deep breaths and smile.
I’m free. Even if it’s only for a few hours. Now, where should I go? I’m starving, but I find myself driving to the community center.
The team always hosted the Thanksgiving meal for the community, and I know I’m no longer a Widow, but maybe they will take pity on me and feed me. I just want to see them. Who knows when I will have a moment alone again.
I can't believe I've resorted to car theft. Not that Chelle will report me. She's a great maid, and I'll be sure to give her a huge tip this month.
I park a block away and walk to the center. The parking lot is packed, and I can hear the laughter from inside. It sounds so welcoming, but I know if I enter, everything will change.
I walk around back and sit against a large tree, hiding in the shadows like some creeper as I watch Rylee and Donny goof around. She looks beautiful.
A little boy runs up to them with a piece of paper and hands it to Rylee. She smiles and takes it from him before bending down and giving him a hug. He runs off to a table with other kids and starts coloring. Donny says something that has her tipping her head back, laughing.
I grab one of the beers and chug it down. Teo walks over to them and pulls her into his arms, making my heart ache. I’m such a fucking screw up. I had the perfect life and I threw it all away.
Now I live in misery and bullshit.
I continue to watch them while I drink. They look happy without me. Soon my thoughts are fuzzy and my vision is starting to blur. People are leaving and Trevor walks in with a bucket and rags.
I guess it’s clean-up time. The guys start bringing the food to the kitchen, and then they kiss Rylee before leaving.
Wait, they are leaving. She’s alone. I stumble to my feet and grip the tree for balance.
Rylee starts to dance with a broom, and though I can’t hear her, I know she’s singing along to some song.
I just need to see her. Hold her. Talk to her. My feet guide me faster than my brain can, and soon I’m barging into the room. Rylee stops what she’s doing and spins to face me. Her eyes widen and her mouth opens in a gasp.
“Please,” I whisper, putting my hands up and out. “I just needed to see you.”
Her nostrils flare and she tosses the broom to the side.
“Well, here I am, Lennox. Take a good look, then go back to the bitch that you left me for.”
“No. Please. Just give me five minutes,” I slur, then stumble over to one of the tables, holding onto it, so I don’t fall. Who would have thought ten chick beers would get me so drunk.
I shake my head, hoping to clear the haziness, and she sighs.
“You're drunk.”
“Yeah, I know I’m just fucking up even more. I can’t seem to do anything right these days.”
“Lennox, you shouldn’t be here. You left us.”
“No, Rylee, you don’t understand.”
“I don’t understand?” She huffs out an unamused laugh, shaking her head. “Okay, fine then. Why don’t you fucking tell me then? Enlighten me, Lennox, on why you're here, drunk off your ass, on Thanksgiving, when you should be home with your pregnant girlfriend.”
I shouldn’t be here. I’m too intoxicated. Everything is on the tip of my tongue, ready to be spilled.Turn around, Lennox. Leave.
“I still love you,” I whisper. I know I won’t be leaving here tonight without making some stupid choices, I just hope they don’t come back to bite me in the ass.
When I woke up this morning, I was in a good mood for the first time in a while, excited to come down to the community center for Thanksgiving.
Working with the kids, and other people in the community, to get everything set up and ready, was fun. I laughed and hadsome good conversations with amazing people. The food was also super yummy.
