I Stopped Waiting And Traveled Alone Chapter 06

I Stopped Waiting And Traveled Alone Chapter 06

After we finished dinner, Jesse suggested catching a movie together. I had no other plans, so I happily

agreed.

“This one,” I said, pointing at the Spider-Man poster.

“Sure thing. I’ll grab the tickets.”

My phone buzzed twice. I looked down and saw messages from Hayes.

[Did you see Hannah’s Instagram post?]

[I already told my parents I was bringing my girlfriend to meet them. After the stunt you pulled, I had no choice but to ask Hannah to fill in for you.]

[If you want an explanation, just ask. No need to send your friend to dig for info. Next time my parents come to Brampton, I’ll introduce you to them for real.]

His messages made no sense. It dawned on me a moment later: my best friend must have seen the post and challenge him about it.

At this point, I had zero desire to waste words on him. I blocked his number.

“What’s with the frown? Something bothering you? Do you want me to drive you home?”

I shook my head. “Nothing. Just spam texts.”

Down by the coast, Hayes held up his phone, capturing the ocean view and his whole research team in one

frame.

Out of habit, he sent me a text: [Made it to Duskport. Scenery’s gorgeous. Surrounded by familiar faces.]

A red exclamation mark appeared instantly.

He stood stock-still, as if he’d just been slapped across the face.

After a long pause, he put his phone away and tried to think about anything else. Deep down he told himself I

would come back to him eventually.

This time, however, he could barely convince himself.

Hannah’s nonstop chatter filled his ears.

“Look how cute this starfish is, Hayes!”

“It got cold out of nowhere. Wish I’d brought a jacket.”

“Let’s get fish tacos for dinner! I know a famous spot nearby.”

Hayes was overcome with uncharacteristic irritation. “Hannah, we’re here for work.”

His sudden cold tone caught her off-guard.

A long quiet followed. She started sniffling. “Hayes, did you fight with your girlfriend? It’s all my fault for posting that Instagram. I only put it up for fun. I deleted it the second Jenna liked it.”

She wiped fake tears while sneaking glances at his expression. “You have a girlfriend. I should keep my distance. I’ll be more careful from now on. Please don’t fight because of me.”

This little act had always worked like a charm before. Hayes would drop everything to comfort her.

Now he only replied flatly, “Good. Glad you understand.”

Hannah went completely rigid.

For the next two days, Hayes stayed distracted. Every so often he sent a message, checking whether I’d

unblocked him.

He typed and erased my number on the dial screen, hesitating again and again, yet never pressed call.

He couldn’t wrap his head around it. We had gotten through fights like this countless times. Why not this

one?

Then he stumbled onto my best friend’s Instagram post.

Knowing I was transferring jobs, my friend had flown out to Hightown with me and extended the trip for a

little vacation.

[So happy for you, a little sad too. Girl, you’re standing strong on your own now. If you ever mess around with other girls, you’re dead to me!]

The last photo captured Jesse and me from behind, with my friend snickering off to one side.

Hayes stared at that photograph for ages. He snatched up his jacket and stormed outside.

Hannah called after him in shock. “We’re not done with work for the day! Where are you going?”

He ignored her, seized by panic and a desperate sense of losing control.

It had been pouring in Hightown. Jesse offered me a ride to the office since he was passing by.

Right outside the office building, we spotted Hayes standing there.

Before I could even react, he threw a punch straight at Jesse.

Bystanders pulled them apart, but Hayes kept struggling, refusing to back down.

I hurried over to check on Jesse.

“I’m alright,” he reassured me with a faint smile.

“What’s wrong with you?” I was shaking with rage.

Hayes wiped blood from the corner of his mouth and sneered. “Jenna, you’re taking his side?”

“No wonder you insisted on breaking up with me. You’ve already found someone new. You cheated on me.”

I stared at him in disbelief and suddenly laughed. “Jesse gave me a ride because it was pouring rain and that

counts as cheating?”

“Meanwhile you and Hannah were all over each other, laughing and joking, even staying under the same roof.

You kept telling me you two were purely professional and that I was overreacting. How can you have such a

double standard, Hayes?”

He fell completely silent, unable to retort.

“You’ve always known where the boundaries are. You knew full well how much this would hurt me. You just never cared. Hayes, I already told you plainly: we are broken up.”

He stumbled forward in a panic and grabbed my wrists. “Jenna, we’re not breaking up. I didn’t agree to this.”

Jesse stepped firmly between us, shielding me. “I believe Jenna has made her position perfectly clear. For the record, I am pursuing her of my own accord. Please stop spreading false rumors. If you keep harassing

her, I will call the police.”

I felt terrible over this chaotic scene and apologized to Jesse. “I’m so sorry my personal drama dragged you

into this. Thank you for stepping in for me.”

“You’ve been through a lot with him, haven’t you?”

I hadn’t expected him to say that.

“What I said back there was the truth.” Jesse looked at me earnestly. “As your team lead, it’s my job to look

out for people on my team. As your friend, I have personal feelings too. Jenna, I’ve liked you since college.

But you had a boyfriend back then.”

I was utterly stunned.

He gave me a light wink. “You ever wonder why the company reached out to offer you that transfer when

you’d barely joined?”

“But I also know you just came out of a painful relationship,” he smiled gently. “I’m not pushing you for an

answer. You deserve the time to figure things out and make your own choice, that’s all ”