Chapter 15: Whoa

SLOAN

On my way to work, I can’t stop thinking about Kade. It’s like my whole life changed the second he walked into it. How did he know about Archie and I didn’t?

When I pull up to the venue, there are even more people than before running around. When I walk into the ballroom, it’s actually looking wonderful.

The curtain panels I drew on with Kade are hung behind the stage and around the room; they create the perfect backdrop for an Instagram pic, as well as add color to the room.

I find Jess, and she shows me the progress she’s made on the centerpieces and table settings. The tulle flowers I made are hung up in all the corners, and I really hope that Marlene will be pleased.

I’m running around the room, cleaning up random things and just trying to make sure everything looks its best, when Marlene arrives.

“You didn’t eat, so I brought you breakfast.”

I turn around to see Kade with a paper bag and a coffee cup. “Wow, you’re the sweetest, thank you.”

“Of course, it’s really just an excuse to see you again.” He winks.

“You don’t need an excuse. You can see me whenever you want.” I smile.

“Sloan?”

“Oh, hi, Marlene.”

She looks at Kade.

“This is Kade Lawson. Kade, this is Marlene, she runs LILAC.”

Marlene smiles. “The Kade Lawson that has been hyping our party? It’s very nice to meet you.”

Kade smiles and shakes her hand. Then, he looks at me and smirks. “I’ll leave you to it. I just wanted to make sure you didn’t starve.”

I thank him again, and he leaves.

“He’s bringing you breakfast now too?”

“Uh...it’s complicated.”

She gives me a knowing look, and I’m desperate to change the subject.

“Well, what do you think?”

“I haven’t gotten to look around yet, but my first impression is that it looks great. I’m so glad you repurposed that tulle.” She laughs.

“Look, we hung these curtains to serve as photo backdrops.” I take out my phone and take a selfie to show her. “I thought we could choose a hashtag to encourage people to post their pics.”

“That’s perfect, Sloan. Wow, good job.”

Jess approaches us and greets Marlene, and the three of us go over the plans for the space. Marlene seems really happy, and after I spend the rest of my day perfecting the decor, I head home.

I realize that I haven’t eaten since the breakfast Kade brought me and I’m starving but I don’t know what the plan is for tonight.

Before I can think too much about it, someone is ringing my doorbell. ~Oh, God, please, don’t be Archie.~

I check the peephole, and it’s probably the last person I ever expected to show up at my door: Archie’s mother. I hesitantly open the door and instinctively hide my wrist so she can’t see the bruises.

“Mrs. Smith?”

“Sloan… Sorry to just drop by. Do you have a minute?” she asks timidly.

I step aside and let her in. The air is thick and awkward. “Can I get you something to drink? Water or tea or something?”

“No, dear, I’m fine. I just needed to let you know that Archie came to us last night. He’s beside himself, but I wanted you to know that I do not condone that behavior.

“He made it sound as if we somehow pushed him into treating you that way, and that’s not the case.”

“What did he say?”

“He said you ended things and that it was because he wasn’t treating you right or spending time with you.”

“Sort of. Do you want to know the whole story?”

“Sloan, I only want to know what you want to tell me, but after the way Archie was last night, I’m concerned about his mental health.”

I instinctively grab at my wrist and twist it in my fingers.

“Sloan! Oh, my goodness, what happened?”

“Um. Listen, you’re probably right. The things that Archie said last night were a little delusional, and he did mention that he’s feeling extreme pressure.”

“Did he do that to you?”

“I was out with friends last night and I saw Archie kissing another woman,” I admit.

“What?”

“I don’t want to drag him down and air all his business to you but I don’t know how long it’s been going on” I explain.

“He acted like he hadn’t done anything wrong at first. I talked to him on the phone and, eventually, hung up on him.

“He showed up drunk late last night. He was out of his mind and he didn’t want to leave. He was holding me to keep me from getting away from him.”

Mrs. Smith stands up and embraces me in a hug and, suddenly, the woman that I thought was so cold is warm and tender toward me.

“Sloan, I’m so sorry. His father… Well, never mind, there is no excuse for that. Thank you for telling me, and if Archie bothers you anymore, please, let me know, so I can handle it.”

“Thank you.”

“Sloan, for what it’s worth, I really respect you and I think you’re incredible. I’m sorry that Archie went so far off the rails, but we’ve enjoyed having you around.”

She squeezes my hand one more time before she leaves, and all I can think is ~whoa~.

My stomach rumbles again so I send Kade a text.

Sloan

Plans tonight?”

I realize I can’t really wait to eat, so I stuff a cheese stick in my mouth, then my mom calls.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, honey, I just wanted to check on you.”

“Well, I have lots to tell you.”

I talk to my mom for a long time and fill her in on everything that happened last night. She seems excited for me about Kade and incredibly pissed at Archie.

She encourages me to just move on, helping me to rationalize that even though we’ve just broken up, our relationship has been over for a long time.

After talking to my mom, I feel much better about everything.