It wasn’t me (Part 2)

Once again, I found myself between a rock and a hard place. If I could go back to ten hours ago when I met Jack, I could’ve definitely done a couple of things differently.

I was living my best life and minding my business at Moe’s Bistro waiting for my Chicken Alfredo when four annoyingly loud boys walked in. “Vee! I knew that was your forehead!” Shoot. That was Jim, my friend from driving school. We had grown pretty close over the past year and were practically inseparable until he moved abroad. I went over to hug him and wave to his friends when one of them caught my attention. I know this guy, I mean how could I forget him. His dark hypnotic eyes were like none that I’ve ever seen. I knew him from October Fest. His squad and mine shared a ride home and I couldn’t forget because not only did I sit next to him, but it was also the first time we took an Uber select.

Judging from how they made themselves comfortable, I knew that they wouldn’t leave anytime soon and there was no way I was going to join them. I needed to have my order packed to go and leave ASAP. I would also have the chance to check him out subtly after texting my girl Tina the tea. “I remember you.” I heard his slightly hoarse voice behind my ear. Shoot! he had followed me to the counter and my first instinct was to check if the others were watching. “Really? I don’t think we’ve met” I said when I saw they were oblivious of us. “Yeah right. Give me your number.” “My number? Why?” I asked knowing full well that I would give it to him regardless. I wasn’t in the habit of giving strange men my number, but exceptions were made when they were that fine.

I dictated my number and had him call me to make sure he didn’t ghost me. Poor girl. I should have just ran. I got my food and went to bid Jim good-bye. He wouldn’t let me leave without a fight so I promised to call him later to make plans to hang out the next weekend. Jack was still standing outside when I left and offered to walk me to the bus stop. That was when it all began. “Are you always this quiet” His phone rang before I could answer that vague question. It was Jim asking where he was. He said he was with me and would be back in a minute. My stop was across the street so I told him I had to go but would text him later. He declined and offered to take me all the way across. I obliged, secretly hoping someone who knew me would spot me walking with the perfect ten that was beside me, who was now holding my hand while we crossed the busy street.

“You’ve got really big hands.” I said as I held on firmly pretending to be scared of the reckless bike guys. “Big enough to hold you down?” He said cunningly and I swallowed dryly. I didn’t see that coming. His phone kept vibrating in his pocket but he ignored it three times before finally picking up. “Wait here. I need to take care of something.” I waited for ten minutes before I got pissed. A little bit worried but mostly pissed. I couldn’t wait any longer so I boarded the bus and went home.

I had had this recollection for five more minutes before deciding to go home. I wasn’t going to miss curfew and piss off my mum because of this guy. Whatever he had to say could wait until I got over what he did. But still, how come he’s with Tina? I have to find out. I asked the Uber driver to take me back to the mall and offered to pay double.

The guards were closing up when I got there. The parking lot was almost empty but there he was! I saw Jack leaning on a parked car. He was scrolling through his phone and didn’t see me coming which meant he didn’t anticipate the well calculated slap that I served him as soon as he looked up. “Are you mad?!” No, but are YOU mad?! You had me waiting for you in the middle of town, disappeared on your friends, had them blame me and switched your phone off on me, what was the reason!!” I yelled in my Cardi B voice.

“Vee!” That was Tina. I looked back at her because I had questions for her too but the sight that met me left me shocked to the bone. My jaw dropped and I really hoped that my eyes were playing tricks on me because why the hell was Tina standing next to Jack, in the same outfit he was wearing when we met? “You have got to be kidding me.” I said, confused as hell.” I looked back at the person I had slapped, knowing what had just happened and read his lips as he shook his head whispering the words It wasn’t me.