One Last Shot (Pub Fiction #3) Read Online Free Page B

matter how hard he begged. She hated the idea but reluctantly agreed because, well—that’s what best friends and sisters do. I’d contact him eventually, I had promised her, but, of course, I never did. I knew he’d have the power to persuade me to stay, to come back. I felt awful but it was self-preservation. My thinking went like this: I’d leave him behind, never giving him the chance to leave me. I’d hurt him, so he wouldn’t think twice about wanting me back again.
    But now my contract is over, and I’m moving home to St. Catharines for good. I’ve accepted a job-teaching Grade 5 at Mountainview Elementary. I’ll get to work alongside Kat, which is great, but I’m also bound to run into Matt at some point, which isn’t so great.
    “I’m sorry. I just worry about you.” Kat’s words draw me back to the here and now.
    “I know you worry. But I am happy,” I try to convince my best friend, but I know she sees through my lie, she always does.
    “You’re going to have to get used to seeing him again. You can’t hide from him once you move home.”
    “I know, but I can try,” I huff.
    “He still wants you, too, you know. If that helps.”
    “Kat, don’t. You know I can’t. The way I left things was wrong. There’s no way I can repair that. No way can I allow myself to go there again even if I wanted to.”
    “You need therapy, Claire. I’m sorry, but do you hear yourself? It’s Matt. It’s you. It’s okay to want him. God, when are you going to get the stick out of your ass and realize it? It’s okay to fall in love.”
    “Jeez, this has been a wonderful chat. I wasn’t expecting a lecture call tonight. Whose side are you on, anyway? Besides, it’s been two years since I took off, Kat. He should hate me. Fuck, I hate me.”
    “He doesn’t. You’ll see,” she whispers. “Don’t you know time heals all wounds?”
    I cringe. “God, that’s so cliché, you don’t actually believe that do you? Whatever, don’t answer,” I tell her. “Listen, I’m gonna go. I’ve got an early day and a headache now, thanks to this conversation. You’re lucky I love you or else I’d be pissed at you.”
    “I know. I love you too, Claire. I don’t even know how we got on this topic. I promise I won’t bring him up again.”
    “Sure, sure. I’ll believe it when I see it. Love you anyway. You’d better hang-up before I decide not to move back home,” I laugh.
    “Okay, okay. Talk soon. Hugs.”
    I rest my head against the couch cushion after tossing my phone aside. Kat’s right, I’ll have no choice but to face the man I’ve not spoken to or seen in two years. Having such a tight knit group of mutual friends makes it certain. Moving home means I won’t be able to avoid Matt forever. So I’m freaking the fuck out here.
    I’d managed to deke him the last few times I visited home for Christmas, Wes’s graduation and, lastly, Levi and Braun’s wedding. Thankfully, we missed each other at the wedding because he’d flown back home to Calgary to help his father with some pressing family business. I swear I’ve been like a cat with nine lives when it has come to dodging this man. But on some level, even I know I can’t ignore us forever.
    Jeez, I need to relax. It’ll work out…
    “Think of the bright side, Felix. Just think positive,” I say to his fluffy white face before carrying him down the hall to my room. “And don’t you dare look at me like I’m full of shit, or you’ll be sleeping on the floor tonight, mister.”
    Bright side: I’m moving home, and my Kat and her Honeybutter are getting married.
    Downside: I’m the maid of honour and Matt is the best man! Vomit.
    Bright side: We’ll have lots of old-school hangout time, Claire Bear- and Kitty Kat-style.
    Downside: I haven’t seen or spoken to Matt Bishop in two years.
    How the hell will I face him?

Chapter 5
    Matt
    C laire.
    Claire Knox.
    Claire Judith Knox.
    My Sugarshack.
    Her name swirls around and around my head