“See, what is this? Why does everyone think I have this grand plan of the way my life is supposed to happen?”

“Um…because you do?”

“I have a general layout, ok? A few preferences. Everyone does. And if they don’t, then they’re probably homeless.”

“No, some people actually go with the flow. You ever heard of that? Just letting things happen? Living in the present?”

“Homeless. They’re homeless.”

“Sometimes, Spencer…I really don’t know about you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, wondering if this trip was a good idea after all.

“I worry that you’ll never be happy…that you’ll keep boxing people in not even realizing how trapped that makes you, let alone them.”

“You think I try to trap people?”

She shakes her head, “You don’t get it.”

“Then why do you still hang out with me, huh? If I’m such a horrible person.”

“Because you’re not a horrible person at all. You’re an amazing person. And you’re my best friend. I just want you to be happy.”

“I know,” I say quietly, smiling, “me too.”

Two bathroom stops, a tank of gas, and a questionable rest stop later, we arrived at the abode of Mr. Six Toes. And as much as I hated to give the guy credit, it was pretty nice. Two Stories. Three bedrooms. A pool. And a massive deck overlooking the ocean. Chelsea had already politely ordered me not to jump and I agreed. Suicide wasn’t in my life plan either.

We began the boozing almost right away. Trust me, I needed it. I needed to stop thinking about Carmen and the way she looked at me when I stepped out of the bath, hearing the words that were never supposed to come out of her mouth. I needed to stop thinking about Monday when I’d have to see her at work or the fact that I was back to square one on the dating scene or how she knew the password to my Netflix account. I needed to stop thinking. Period.

“Ok, we’re so going out tonight,” Chelsea said, before downing shot number two.

“Of course we are! Are you kidding? I’m going to find some girl who probably has Syphilis and do insane things to her, ok? Like, insane. And forget all about the fact that I was ever engaged to that…to that…”