Free Finally by Scarlett Metal Page B

contact her.
    When I got out to the street, I caught a cab to the airport, playing over the events of the past few days in my head. After checking in and going through security, I bought a paper to read while I waited. The first thing I did was turn to the classifieds. It didn’t hurt to look, did it?

 
    Chapter Fifteen – Lauren
    Thankfully I managed to keep busy the next few weeks, not even having the time to miss Marcus. Work was nuts as usual and I was working long hours, going into the office before seven AM and not getting home until almost seven PM.
    Kyle eventually stopped calling. Marcus probably asked me every other day if I talked to him. He tried to sound nonchalant, but I knew he was jealous by the edge in his voice. Some girls complained about jealous boyfriends, but I thought it was sexy he was so possessive of me.
    Marcus and I settled into a simple routine after he left. I would go to the gym after leaving work and then talk to Marcus for at least an hour each night. Sometimes we chatted on the phone and sometimes we’d video chat. I missed him like crazy, but I’d see him again soon for my birthday party.
    Amanda loved birthdays and always planned a party for each of us at the bar she worked at. It was always a good time and I was especially looking forward to this one since Marcus would be there.
    A few days before the party, Marcus gave me some bad news. We were talking on the phone as I was lying in bed, totally spent from another long day at the office.
    “Baby, I gotta tell you something,” he said quietly.
    “What’s up?” I asked. He sounded so serious and I was a little worried what he had to say.
    “Something came up and I can’t make it this weekend,” he said.
    My heart dropped. “Really? Not at all?” I asked, fighting back the tears.
    “No, something came up with work and then a family thing,” he said. “Things have gotten crazy so I’m not sure when I can even make it there at all.”
    “Ok,” I said, not sure what else to say. I didn’t want to get all crazy psycho girlfriend on him, but I was pretty disappointed I wouldn’t see him for my birthday. Add to that the fact he wasn’t even sure when I would even see him, and I was ready to cry.
    “I’m sorry, babe,” he said.
    “It’s ok, I understand,” I said with a sigh. “Listen, I’m tired. I gotta go or tomorrow’s going to be a really long day.”
    “Sure,” he said. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”
    “Yep,” I said halfheartedly. “Good night, Marcus.”
    I hung up the phone before I lost it. I was not going to be that girl. Tears stung my eyes as I set my phone on the nightstand. I couldn’t help it; I was so upset he wouldn’t be there this weekend. Maybe this long distance thing wouldn’t work so well after all.
    ***
    The days leading up to my birthday were hectic and I manage to avoid talking to Marcus altogether. We exchanged a few text messages and emails, but other than that, I’d hardly talked to him. I wasn’t mad he wasn’t coming, but I couldn’t help but be majorly disappointed.
    I arrived at the bar early the night of the party to help Amanda get ready. I was ready way before I needed to be and couldn’t stand being alone in my apartment any longer.
    “What’re you doing here already?” she asked me from her perch behind the bar. “You’re the guest of honor, you don’t need to help set up.”
    I shrugged. “I was sick of sitting at home,” I said. “I thought maybe you could use some help.”
    “Silly girl,” she said, shaking her head. “Happy birthday, girlie.” She came over to me from behind the bar and gave me a hug. “I know you’re sad Marcus won’t be here, but try to have some fun, ok?”
    I nodded and smiled. She was right. It was my party and I wasn’t going to let a man wreck my good time.
    “Good,” she said, walking back behind bar. I followed her and sat down on a stool. “You look smokin’ hot,” she said, nodding to me.
    I looked down at