Ditching Me for His 'Soulmate'? His Loss. Next Stop: My New Life novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

On my birthday, my boyfriend Garrett bailed on me. Again.

I sat there watching dinner go cold until my phone finally buzzed: [Work emergency in Boston. Don’t wait up]

Right after, I saw his ex Felicity post on Instagram.

There was Garrett–sleeves rolled up, apron on, cooking in HER kitchen.

Caption: [Wish this moment could last forever

Explode? Nah. I just liked the post, reheated my food, and ate alone.

My phone wouldn’t stop buzzing during dinner. Didn’t care.

When I finally checked after eating, fifty missed calls from Garrett.

And one voice message.

“Babe, I’ll explain later. Don’t worry about it. We’ll have plenty more birthdays.”

I didn’t reply.

Just wondered–is there even a “we” anymore?

Garrett didn’t show up until three days later.

When he walked in, I was on the couch binge–watching some show.

He looked confused. “Didn’t you see my text?”

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I didn’t even look up. “Yeah, saw it. Got distracted though, totally forgot.”

His face said it all–he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

Makes sense. Usually I’d be jumping up and down, heading downstairs like thirty minutes early to wait for him.

After a beat, he goes, “I haven’t eaten all day. Just make me something, anything.”

He’s picky as hell. Won’t touch that Amtrak crap. Normally when he gets back from trips, I’d cook him this whole meal to satisfy his bougie taste buds.

My episode had just ended, so I looked up and pointed at the takeout menus on the table.

“Found these in the mailbox. New place, looks like they’re running some deal.”

Garrett’s face went dark. “I’m literally starving. Even if you’re pissed, can you at least cook something first?”

I gave him this confused look. “Why can’t you just order takeout? And I’m not pissed.”

Obviously he didn’t buy it. Started going off, “Felicity’s all alone in Boston. I was just being a friend, checking on her.”

“Okay.”

He rubbed his face, looking exhausted. “Enough already. I really don’t have the energy for your mood right now.”

I sighed. “If you’re tired, go rest. I’m seriously not asking you to deal with anything.”

He froze, his breathing getting all heavy.

I could tell he was getting pissed.

After this long silence, he dug through his suitcase and literally threw a gift box at me. His

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tone was ice cold. “Birthday present. Happy now?”

I set it on the coffee table without even opening it. “Thanks.”

He just stood there staring, then his whole face changed. “That’s it?”

I blinked, suddenly remembering our old deal–whoever’s birthday it was, we both had to get each other gifts.

“Oh shit, sorry. Got too into my show, completely spaced.” I felt kinda bad. “I’ll get you something later? Or I can just Venmo you?”

He stared at me hard. I felt uncomfortable and quickly sent him the money, then checked my watch and went to grab my jacket. ·

When I came back, he looked shocked. “You’re going out? You did your makeup to go out?

Not for me?!”

I gave him this weird look. “You always said doing makeup at home was stupid. Why would

I do it just to see you?”

Without waiting for his response, I headed for the door.

“Where are you going?”

He rushed over and grabbed my arm.

“Meeting Sutton and the girls.”

With that, I didn’t wait to see his reaction and left.

Garrett’s always hated my friends–says they’re too wild, always dragging me to bars and clubs and shit. Told me to stop hanging out with them so much.

Like hell I was gonna ditch my friends for some guy, but I used to avoid scheduling hangouts when he was around to prevent fights, and I’d always bail early.

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Which meant I never really got to let loose.

Now? I finally didn’t have to give a shit what he thought.

When I told Sutton and the others about my plan, they all looked at each other like they

couldn’t believe it.

Makes sense–they knew how crazy I used to be about Garrett.

But now that I’d woken up, I suddenly realized how stupid it was to lose myself over a guy.

Why didn’t I snap out of it sooner? God.

I partied with Sutton and everyone until late, even posted photos on Instagram.

By the time I got home, it was three in the morning.

The second I opened the door, Garrett was sitting on the couch looking pissed as hell.

Chapter 2