Catching Red Eyes

After spending the next three days in complete devastation in Charlie’s apartment, I decided to shower and figure out what I was going to do next. Charlie already offered to let me stay until I had to go back to New York but her apartment was only made for her and her car, Twinkie. I knew going back to New York was my only option now.

“You can take the train? I know you hate flying.”

“There’s a train?”

“Yes, it goes right into New York City. It’s not too expensive either. Or you could just stay
here!”

“You know I wish I could but once I’m home, I am going to call Marc and George and see if I can start back early…I need a distraction right now.”

“Yea, I get it. I’m sorry about all this. Who knew dating a celebrity would be so…eccentric.”

“Dated you mean…”

“Have you decided when you’re going to talk to him?”

I shook my head. I had no intention of speaking to him yet because I was still devastated about how he handled me. I felt a sharp pain remembering his blank stare looking at me from the hotel bathroom. I rubbed my eyes to get the look out of my head.

“Honestly, take all the time you need and only think about what you want not what Harry wants. If you rush back into this and feel like you’re still being treated like you’re being watched, then it’s not worth it. But I know you two love each other so just remember that too.”

After lunch with Charlie and getting my train ticket, I hugged Charlie goodbye.

“Thank you so much for everything…really…”

“Of course, please call when you’re home and let me know what you decide to do.”

I nodded and waved as I got into the cab. I subconsciously tucked my blonde wisps of hair under the Boston baseball hat that Charlie gave me and pulled her borrowed white hoodie up close to my ears. The ride to the train took no time and I easily found a seat and settled in for the long trip back home.

The cameras were popping off left and right. I was surrounded. I tried to get away but when I moved more would appear. I saw Harry’s face and ran to it but before I could reach for him, he turned his back on me and was swallowed up in black smoke. The cameras were getting closer to me and the photographers were wearing sinister smiles as they closed in on me.

“Hey, hey, wake up!”

I shot awake to a stranger in my face.

“Rowan?”

I looked to where someone called my name. My insides shook as I instantly recognized Pryce’s dirty blonde hair and brown eyes. His hair was longer now but I forgot how attractive he was. I shook the thought of my head as I got up to give him a hug. He had a startled expression on his face but he fully hugged me back. For the first time in days, I felt sort of safe. He broke the hug and placed his hands on my shoulders and looked at me.

“What?” His look was making me nervous.

“Nothing…you just look…are you ok, Row?”

I shrugged my shoulders and looked out the window. I didn’t feel like crying again. “Just hungover, I was staying with my friend Charlie. She lives in Boston.”

He nodded but still kept looking at me. Whether he knew about Harry and I wasn’t certain but he didn’t ask me about it and I was so thankful.

“So, what’s new? What were you doing in Boston?”

“Well, believe it or not, I was doing some work for the Boston Globe.”

“No way! Oh my God, Pryce, that was your dream! Congratulations!” I put my hand on his arm and he didn’t mind I let it linger there for a few seconds.

“Yea, it was really great. I wish I knew you were here, we could have gotten together, I mean unless you’re still with…” his voice trailed off and he broke my gaze.

“Uh, um, well its complicated right now…I’m not really sure what’s going on…but tell me more about the Globe!”

I quickly changed the conversation to him and it was nice listening to him talk. I’ve always liked Pryce. He was so different from Harry. Pryce was the kind of person who I should be with; we had common interests and he wasn’t followed around with cameras.

“Uh, Rowan…are you going to get that?”

“Huh?” I was pulled out my daze and realized Pryce was pointing to my lap where my phone was ringing. I half hoped it was Harry but didn’t mind when I saw it was Laurie.

“Hey, Laur.”

“Hey babe, listen did Harry take you some kind of shopping spree because there are like four racks of sick clothes here.”

Wait, what. Oh my God.

“Sort of…um, just leave them or actually do whatever you want with them.”

“Ok. You doing ok today? What time am I getting you from the station?”

“I’m fine. Pryce is actually here so we are just catching up and 6:30 please.”

“Pryce? Oh, your journalism buddy. Ok, I’ll be there.”

“Thanks, Laur.”

I turned my attention back to Pryce. “Sorry, what were you saying?”

The rest of the ride went by quickly and as we walked up to street level, I spotted Laurie’s Volkswagen. I turned to say goodbye to Pryce and he welcomed me with open arms. I stayed there for a second and inhaled his scent. It was different from Harry’s. Pryce smelled like fresh cut grass and a brand new book. It was comforting.

“Call me when you’re settled? I miss you, Rowan.”

“I will. Miss you too.”

I waved and watching Pryce walk away from me and turned in the direction of Laurie’s car.

“That is not the Pryce I remember, Row. When did he get hot?”

“What? He was always attractive, Laur.”

“Not like that. He’s definitely been working out and his hair is longer. If things don’t work out between you and Harry, Pryce is a solid back up.”

Hearing Harry’s name made my stomach clench. “Yea, he looks good.”

Laurie nodded as we pulled into New York City traffic. I was happy to be home even though I knew I had a rough couple weeks ahead of me.

Notes