Prove It

Chapter 21

***Tristan ***

Tristan was relieved to finally be able to go home. He’d had a hectic day and didn’t get to see his girlfriend all day and he couldn't wait to leave this place. His car was in sight when he heard his name called.

 “Tristan?”

It was then that he came to the shitty realization that he’d always recognize that voice. Tristan closed his eyes and took a steady breath. Why wasn’t it enough to just ignore her? Wasn’t time supposed to make it easier to forget?

“Jessica,” he said with his back still turned to her as he continued to walk ahead. She didn’t seem to mind because she followed behind him.

“How are you?” she asked.

“I’m good. You?”

“I’ve been better.”

Why would she tell him that? He’d asked her to be polite, but he didn’t actually care. What did she expect him to say?

“I know you’re wondering why I’m talking to you,” Jessica said. He was wondering. He knew nothing good could come from a conversation with her, but she didn’t show any signs of leaving. He turned to face her and she came to a stop in front of him. “I know you, Tristan.” She reached out to move some stay strands of hair from his face. He dodged her. Jessica got the message, her hand fell and she cleared her throat.

“You haven’t answered any of my calls or returned any of my messages,” she stated.

“I didn’t want to talk to you. I still don’t. What did you expect?”

“I expected you to let me explain.”

“Then you don’t know me as well as you think.”

“I used to know you. Maybe I don’t anymore.”

Tristan started to feel like he was being transported to the past, back when he had to listen to her bullshit. He quickly reminded himself that he didn’t have to care about her feelings anymore.

“Jessica, I have to go.”

She ran after him, which was exactly what he hoped she wouldn’t do. He should have known better.

“Don’t leave, please. Will you just talk to me?”

“I have nothing to say.”

“Okay, you win, Tristan,” she said from behind him.

“What?”

“You’ve gotten me back. You’ve had your fling so we’re even.”

“Sierra is not a fling.”

“You can’t be serious. Weren’t you just curious or whatever? You wouldn’t choose her over me.”

“It's not a competition.”

“God, Tristan. Stop!” Jessica pleaded. “I love you. I made a mistake, okay? And I’m sorry. Please, please stop holding it against me.”

“Jessica, listen to me. This isn’t about you. I’ve moved on. You need to do the same.”

“I can’t! What am I supposed to do?”

“I can’t answer that.”

“You can throw away everything we had? Just like that?”

“No, that’s what you did. You threw us away when you hooked up with Chris.”

“It was a mistake.”