When Chastity helped me to my feet, I could tell something was wrong. It was all over her face.
“I talked to Matt,” she said.
“And what did he say?”
“That Tanner does this sometimes. Goes abroad for long periods of time to close deals.”
“He’s…abroad? Closing a deal?” He was away on business? That couldn’t be right. I’d seen DODO take him. I’d seen it. “I mean, when was the last time Matt talked to Tanner? Are they even really friends anymore? I’m Tanner’s girlfriend. I’m…”
“Ash, I’m so sorry.” She pulled me into a hug.
I was pretty sure my whole body was broken. And I probably needed a tetanus shot after getting hit by that car. But none of that mattered.
I’d been so sure of one thing. That Tanner loved me. That was all that kept me going. And I was barely going. I was dressed like a homeless person and had almost died tonight.
Now the truth was painfully obvious.
Tanner didn’t love me.
The thought echoed around in my head, refusing to settle into place.
He’d run off because I’d stalked him and freaked him out.
Because we both knew I was the stalker in this situation.Fuck you, Tanner Rhodes.
This Is War - Chapter 5 – Incident #7?
Two Months Later – Friday – September 15, 2023
I know you’re probably thinking that my entire life was in shambles. But it actually wasn’t.
I didn’t need Tanner in order to be happy. Technically we had only officially dated for 24 hours. It was the shortest relationship in the history of relationships. It meant nothing to me. Sure, I’d loved him for months before we dated and for months after he disappeared…
No. Stop it.I didn’t love him at all. Tanner was a stupid asshattery.
Honestly, I didn’t have time for a man in my life anyway. Not when I was working 90-hour weeks. My new therapist said I was exhibiting extremely unhealthy avoidance behaviors, but she didn’t know what she was talking about.
So yeah, I was crushing it at work.
All my performance reviews had been amazing. I was on the fast track to upper management. And thanks to my boss getting pregnant, my promotion was going to happen today.
Sucks for her. Soon Bee would be home with a screaming baby, spending all her hard-earned money on diapers. Meanwhile, I’d be making bank, and I sure as hell wouldn’t be wasting any money on a dumb baby. Rent, boxed wine, food, boxed wine, healthcare, boxed wine, and Netflix. Those were my only expenses, and I was happier than ever.
Seriously, so happy.
I didn’t even think about Tanner at all anymore.
But like…where was he?
Was he in Europe?
Had he found someone new?
Did he still go to the Society?
I did a quick scan of all his closest known associates on every social media platform, but there were still no pictures of him. Which wasn’t a surprise since I’d just checked an hour ago.
Okay, fine. I admit it. I still thought about Tanneroccasionally.