chapter 2
After we waved them off, I turned to get into Kobe’s car. He was staring at his phone, not even looking up. “Lola’s working late at the office and her phone died, so she can’t get a ride. I’m going to pick her up.”
“Okay,” I said, my hand already in my purse. The moment he said Lola, my fingers instinctively opened the rideshare app. As if on cue, a car was confirmed. Just as he finished his sentence, he finally looked up at me.
“You had a bit to drink tonight. Get home safe and rest up.”
“I’m leaving now, Mom,” was all I said as his car pulled away from the curb.
A moment later, my phone buzzed with a voice message from him. Normally, I would have fumbled for my earbuds, eager to hear his voice. Tonight, I couldn’t be bothered. I just let the app transcribe it. I’ll head back right after I drop her off. Don’t overthink it.
That was new. He’d never bothered with reassurances before. When he ditched me for Lola, I typed back a single reply. Okay.
The chat bubble showed he was typing. Then it disappeared. He sent nothing.
I didn’t really care. Ever since I’d made my decision, a strange sense of peace had settled over me. Before, the thought of Lola—Kobe’s childhood friend—had me tied in knots of anxiety and insecurity. She had turned me into someone I didn’t recognize. I’d lost count of the number of hysterical fights we’d had about her. And every time, he’d just watch me with those cold, detached eyes.