Read Online Unexpected Chances by A. M. Willard - Free Book Online

tomorrow, and keep me posted.”
    “We’re not done with this conversation, and you know I will.”
    I hang up tossing my phone onto the table.
    “Everything good?” Cory asks, and I know he’s wondering what our conversation was about.
    “It will be,” I say, as I watch him place his plate down and stand.
    “Where are you going?” I ask, as I look up at him and catch a glimpse of his blue eyes that usually, shine.
    Now, they reflect a person who’s broken.
    He starts to pace, running his hands through his hair. Cory stops and looks over at me, “I need to ask you something, and I’m not sure I’m going to like the answer.”
    I glance down to the floor and backup to him, bracing myself for what is about to change. “Well, ask already. I want to watch a movie.”
    Cory takes a deep breath in and releases it as if it’s his last he will ever take. “Are you happy, Tabitha?”
    I jump back shocked by him using my name, he never calls me Tabitha. It’s always, firecracker. “Yes,” I answer with what I assume to be a confused look all over my face.
    “No. I mean are you really happy?”
    “I am and you’re freaking me out a little, Cory.”
    He comes to sit next to me and places my hands into his.
    “Look, I might screw this up. But I have to tell you something, and I need you to hear me out before you say a word.”
    “Well, keep it rolling before you freak me out.”
    “The other night in the bar. Watching you dance with that guy, I realized that I cared about you more than I ever thought I did. You and I have been friends forever, and have watched each other go through some stuff. So, what I need to tell you is… I’d like for us to see if we have a shot at it. You know try to date or something. I don’t want to be just friends anymore.”
    I knew this was going to come out.
    I can feel the tears building as I pull my lower lip into bite it.
    As I look up into Cory’s pleading eyes, “I love you, Cory, but not the same way you do me. You are one of the few people that I’ll always need in my life. You’re the one that I call when I need a pick me up. Hell I might need you in my life more than I do my brother.” I stop and look down at our joined hands then continue, “If I say I love you in any other form than what I do, it’s a lie. I will not deceive you in any way. But you’re not the one. I’m not even sure if the one is out there for me.”
    Holding my breath, I wait for his response.
    “I figured that’s what you’d say. He did screw you up, didn’t he?”
    I don’t respond to his question. Cory already knows the answer to why I have a heart made out of steel. All I can do is sit and watch him stand then walk out of my apartment.
    As I hear the door close behind him, I feel like someone just took the biggest part of my world away.
    Will Cory and I ever be able to recover from this moment of truth?
    I don’t know the answer to that tonight.
    I hope that in time we will be able to salvage what’s left of our friendship.
     
     
    ****
    Carter
    In my drunken stupor, I decide to email Mrs. Stephens with SHI. I pulled some bull crap about an emergency board meeting, and she was willing to accommodate the change of schedule.
    I’d prefer that Tabitha be the one to handle my contract and initial visit. I’ll just have to plan for something else.
    On a good note for the day, I was able to get myself out of a prior engagement with Bethany.
    Having to pull out all stops with her.
    “Beth, I’m busy with this new contract coming up, and have to prepare for an emergency meeting tomorrow.”
    “Carter you do realize that tomorrow is Sunday?”
    “I know what day it is Beth. The board’s moving up a meeting on the revamp. So I’m busy. Why don’t you get someone else to attend the fundraiser with you tonight?”
    “You can stop calling me Beth at any point, Carter. You know I hate that name, and you’re doing it on purpose. I miss you, and would like to have you accompany me this