“You have something better to do? You are free that night. It’s in two weeks,” she nudges.

“Why do you care? I am not going. They made my life a living hell.”

“You’re different now. You need to do this. You need to move on from it. You need closure. Plus, I think they may have grown up. I don’t think there will be any bullying going on at the age of twenty-eight. Doesn’t it become illegal at some point in life?”

“Hmm, good point, but no. I’m not going. It says to bring your spouse. Um, I will be the laughing stock of the school again, since I’m single.”

“I’ll go with you,” Melanie says, trying to help.

“Who are you going as… my lesbian lover?” I laugh.

“I’m replying yes that you will be there… single.”

I give her a look. “Don’t even think about it. Just because we’re like best friends and I told you all about my previous life doesn’t mean you can think you are helping me. You are not.”

“You better pick out a nice dress. I’m thinking something red,” Melanie says, taking the invitation and calling the number to respond. “Hi, this is Hailey McCormick’s secretary. I’m calling to rsvp to the invitation for the high school reunion. Miss McCormick would be delighted to attend. Please put her down for one. Yes, great. She looks forward to seeing you as well.”

“Oh… you are going to pay for that. I don’t know how, but you are,” I say in a joking manner. Then I sit down in shock.

I have to go now. If I turn back, it will make it worse.

St. Cecelia’s, here I come… back for more punishment.

CHAPTER 5

Chase

SOMETIMES I WONDER what I was thinking when I decided to become a pharmacist. I graduated from New York University. I loved going to pharmacy school, but it’s the aftermath that is a killer. With the boost in prescription drug misuse, my job becomes more and more challenging every day. I deal with a lot of drug addicts who are looking for a quick and easy fix. They will lie, cheat, and steal just to get one pill. Some nights I come home from work exhausted. Tonight is one of those nights, but I promised Parker I would meet him at the bar for a few drinks.

I walk into the bar and see Parker sitting there with four women around him. He’s a very good-looking guy. When I walk over, they are about to start singing the song “Scrubs” by TLC. He knows there are going to be women leaching off of him… Why does he insist I come from work? He made it sound as if it was going to be just me and him, beers and guy talk. I know he means well. He is trying to get me over Megan. I am over Megan. I just don’t want anyone else right now, and he doesn’t get that. I do a lot of traveling, mostly on Sundays, but it takes up a lot of my time. Even though lacrosse is part-time, it still keeps me busy.

“P, I’m here.”

“Hey, ladies, this is my best friend, Chase. He’s a professional lacrosse player.”

I hate when he does that. Women have a thing for sports players. I don’t know what it is. One of the blonde women is eyeing me up from head to toe. Either she’s repulsed by me or she wants to take me home.

“Hi, everyone,” I say, giving my sexy smirk. I can be a flirt at times. “Buying a round for everyone,” I yell to the bartender over the music. Blondie is staring me down then walks over to me.

“Hey there, handsome. That was nice of you,” she says, giving me googily eyes.

“I aim to please. You drinking something special?” I don’t know why I’m flirting back with her. She’s not even my type. I just don’t want to hurt her feelings.

“Whatever you want to buy me is good with me.”

She orders a Captain and Coke. My kind of girl.

“What’s your name?” she asks.

“Chase. And you?”

“Chelsey.”

I see Chelsey trying to come home with me. I see me having to turn down another woman. I see Parker getting mad at me. Oh well.

“That’s a nice name. Can you excuse me for a minute? I just need to talk to my friend for a sec.” I walk up to Parker. He’s engrossed in conversation. “P, come here a sec.”

He walks over to the end of the bar. “What’s up?”

“I thought it was just going to be me and you.”

“I can’t help it if they found me.” He can be so stuck on himself sometimes.

“I’m tired. I don’t feel like entertaining women. I just got done with a long-ass shift at the pharmacy.”

“I know. I know. I’m sorry. I’ll get rid of them.”

“Forget it now. I’ll have one drink, and then I’ll hit the road.”

“What’s wrong with the blonde? Do you not like women? I’ll understand. Just tell me. I’m your best friend since grade school.”

“I fucking love women, asshole.”

“Speaking of school, I talked to the chick organizing the reunion. She asked if you were coming. She said she didn’t get a response from you yet.”

“That’s because I’m not going, and it said to RSVP only if you were planning to attend.”

“She said I had to do whatever I needed to do to get the most popular guy there. I said, oh, don’t worry, he’s coming. Put him down for yes.”

“Why would you do that?” I’m gonna kill this fucker.

“You have to go with me.”

“I don’t want to see Carrie. End of story.”

“Forget her. You’ll be with your best friend. I’ll have your back,” he says, confident in his response.

“That’s the scary part. You’ve done so well up until now.” I can’t believe he responded yes for me. I am doomed. Carrie is going to stalk my life again.

I head back to Chelsey. I’m no longer in the mood to be here. Parker has pissed me off completely. Sometimes he just goes too far.

Chelsey starts to go on and on about how we would be good together. She talks about going to all my games and cheering me on. She says she’ll even wear little cheerleader shorts for me with my name on her ass. Where are all the normal women?

“It was nice chatting with you, Chelsey,” I say, grabbing my keys and cell phone off the bar. “I have to get going. I had a long day at work, and I have to be up early tomorrow.”

“Can we see each other again?” she asks.

“I’m really busy. I’m on the road a lot, and I have a full-time job as a pharmacist. I don’t have time in my life for a woman.” I feel really bad, but I just can’t… Not with her. I’m not gonna sleep with her, either, just for the hell of it.

“I understand,” she says. “I just wanted to sleep with you anyway.” Why do they always have to go there?

I just look her in the face and walk away. “P, I’m out. I’ll see you tomorrow at some point.”

I walk toward the door then see a woman from afar. She has long brown wavy hair. She is beautiful. She catches my eye. I smile, then she quickly turns her head. What the fuck? These damn women!

Why does she look so familiar?

CHAPTER 6

Hailey

I TURN TO THE LEFT and meet the eyes of a gorgeous man. In a split second I realize I am looking into the eyes of Chase O’Brien, my secret crush in high school. I look away quickly. I don’t want him to recognize me… Not that he would. The last time I saw him, I was about eighty-five pounds heavier. The only person I ever told about him was Melanie. She sits across from me at the high bar table, giving me crazy looks.

“What’s wrong with you?” she asks.

“Nothing, why?” I lie.

“You’re acting all fidgety, and your face just turned a couple different shades of red.”

“I’ll tell you in a minute. I can’t look back right now.”

“So you’re staring at the wall?”

“Don’t turn around.”