Following Me(17)

The room was open and spacious. A long bar took up the far wall, and black tables and chairs were already crowded. The real view lay beyond the bar itself. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls showed off a spectacular view of Chicago and Lake Michigan as far as the eye could see.

Garrett gestured to the right, claiming it had the better view, and they nudged through a small crowd to gain seats near the window. Devon walked right up to the glass and stared out at the city lit up a thousand feet below her. She drank in the sight, wanting to remember what it felt like to be on top of the world.

Devon pulled out her phone and snapped a few shots, wishing she had something better to take pictures with. Her camera phone just wasn’t doing the view justice, but then again, maybe nothing ever could.

“Want me to take a picture of you?” Garrett offered, standing next to her.

Devon shook her head. “No, thanks. The view is good enough.”

“You have something against getting your picture taken?” He crossed his arms, turning his attention away from the window to her.

“No, I just don’t need my face plastered in front of something so exquisite. How could I ever measure up?” She gave him a soft smile.

Garrett had been unconditionally kind since she had arrived. He had allowed her to stay in the guest bedroom of his apartment for an entire week. He had taken care of her when she had been sick, and he had shown her around the city. They had gotten lunch a few times before he had to go to work. One night, she had fallen asleep while watching reruns of Whose Line Is It Anyway? After he had gotten home late from work, Garrett had woken her up and ushered her into bed. They had repeated their excursion to the park complete with Popsicles another time when Hadley had been working. Devon found that even though she hadn’t spoken to Garrett about why she had left, he had pried open her shell, and she was able to relax around him. She knew why Hadley liked him so much.

“I think this blonde runs a little too deep,” Garrett said, deflecting the question.

“How original. A blonde joke,” Devon responded, rolling her eyes.

“I doubt you have one picture of yourself in Chicago. How will anyone believe you were actually here?” Garrett asked.

I hope no one ever does, she thought.

Devon just shrugged. She couldn’t tell him that.

“Have it your way. What do you want to drink? I’m going to the bar,” he told her with a smile.

“Gin and tonic would be great. Do you need some cash?” she asked, reaching into her purse.

“On me.” He held up his hands to show he wouldn’t accept any money from her.

“Thanks, Garrett,” Devon said sincerely.

Where did Hadley find this guy?

With a heavy sigh, Devon watched him walk away. She wished she could tell someone what she was going through. But how could anyone understand? Hadley would have a field day, and Devon wasn’t ready for that kind of freak out. She didn’t really know Garrett, so he wasn’t an option. She knew she should try to talk to her mom, but Devon had been avoiding her calls all week, hoping her mom would get the hint.

Each time Devon really thought about it, she felt sick to her stomach. How can I tell anyone if I can’t even decide whether or not I made the right decision?

“I can’t believe it’s already been a week,” Hadley said, coming to stand next to Devon. “Where does the time go?”

“Well, you have a job,” Devon said.

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Hadley said dramatically.

“You love your job.”

“Yeah, well, it’s still a job,” she said with a shrug.

“Garrett’s pretty great,” Devon said, changing the subject.

“Dev, he’s more than pretty great. He’s like so freaking amazing. And let me just tell you,” Hadley said, angling her body to look directly at Devon, “he’s beyond impressive.” She raised her eyebrows and smirked.

Devon laughed at Hadley attempt at being discreet. It was so unlike her friend.

“Plus, seriously, he’s an animal in bed. I just…I’m blown away,” Hadley told her.

Now, that sounded more like her.

“You know the kind of luck I had in college.”

“Oh, yes, poor little Hadley always had to date the hottest guys on campus.”

“But they all had small dicks, and I had to teach them how to use it,” Hadley complained.

“What about Jason?” Devon asked. “You never complained about him.”

Hadley glanced away with a big goofy grin on her face. “I forgot about Jason. But it doesn’t matte; Garrett is better than them all! I can’t get over how good the sex is.”

“Good,” Devon said, looking back out across the Chicago skyline. She didn’t want to have this conversation. Not only did she not want to think about Garrett and Hadley going at it like animals, Devon really did not want to think about sex at all. Too many complications there.

“I know we don’t spend all that much time together because our work schedules conflict, but our time is well spent,” she said with a giggle.

How did the conversation steer in this direction?

“Thanks for making me come up here. It’s really great,” Devon said, changing the subject once again.

“Oh, I know what’s good for you!” Hadley said.