Half way into my bike ride, my phone goes off. 'If It Means a Lot to You' by A Day to Remember plays, and I immediately know it's Adam. This was his favorite song way back when I bought my ringtones. "Hello," I say in between pants and stabs of fresh pain. Looking down, I can see the blood stains on my pants.
"His name is Jake. They've been together for a month and a half. She wants to know if you're okay," Adam says in spurts.
"Just peachy," I tell him as I try to hold back my excitement. She's thinking about me! I scream in my head as my stomach fills with butterflies. "How is she doing?"
I hear Adam say something to someone other than me, and then I hear her voice. He's with her! I have to find them, I need to see her!
"She's doing very well. So's Jake." I instantly roll my eyes when I hear that name. Who names a kid Jake? That's a form of child abuse.
"Where are you, Adam?"
It takes him longer to answer than it should. He lets out a big sigh and he says, "Eli. You're not ready to see her. I'm sorry dude, but I'm trying to help you. Ya know, save you from yourself."
"Adam, you make it seem like I'm crazy. I'm not. I can handle it." I can see myself walking into where ever they are, my Clare running up to me, and kissing me. Just the way she should every day for the rest of my life.
"You're just not ready, Eli. I have to go. See you tomorrow."
I open my mouth to plead with him, but he's already hung up. I slam my thumb into the end key and shove my phone into my pocket. I finally sit down on the curb and let my bike fall onto the cement. Angrily, I flop my head into my hands and try to think of where they might be. I groan and toss myself backwards into the cool grass. They could be anywhere. Then, suddenly, I remember Bullfrog and CeCe wanted to talk to me after work and see if they believe I need more "help". I stand up, dust the dirt off my jeans, and ride my bike home.
