Eversea A Love Story

grant applications as they’re due this week.”
    “Oh yeah. How did the meeting at SCAD go?”
    I swallowed guiltily. Colt had asked me to text him when I was in Savannah to meet him for coffee. I hadn’t.
    First of all, the meeting Faith had somehow swung with the Dean of the School of Design had gone on longer than planned. Second, I was with Vern, and third, and frankly, more importantly, I was trying to avoid giving Colt even a hint that I might be interested in him. “It went great, but ran really long. Sorry I didn’t text you, I was with Vern, and we had to get back.” I smiled nervously.
    He nodded and busied himself with the boxes. It was weird seeing the ex-Butler Cove High School QB looking less sure of himself than I remembered. I studied his handsome, sweet face and really wished I were attracted to him. He had shown himself to be thoughtful, funny, and a really good friend over the last two months. He made me happy. He made me laugh. What was wrong with me? Was it still too soon, or was it that Jack Eversea was a fire that burned brighter than the sun, and I’d been seared beyond repair?
    I walked over and laid a hand on the soft grey sweater covering Colt’s forearm. “I’m sorry, Colt. Thank you for being a good friend.”
    He winced. “I just want you to be happy, Keri Ann.” Turning, he wrapped his big bear arms around me, and I sank into his comfortable embrace.
    There was no chemistry. None. Surely he could tell that, too? I didn’t really understand how these things worked. I felt him give me a warm kiss on my hair and smiled. “I know, and thank you.”
    Grabbing our coffees we settled at the kitchen table, and I filled him in on my progress with trying to get into school. Faith had become like a fairy godmother, helping me, guiding me, advising me, and pushing me to put myself out there. We were both hoping I would be able to get one of the tuition scholarships SCAD offered. I was applying for state and private funds, too.
    Being able to prove I was already selling pieces would go a long way toward getting a grant. Also the fact I’d been selected by the Picture This gallery in Hilton Head as a featured regional artist coming up in December, again with a wave of Faith’s magic wand I was sure, would all be a part of my application.
    Between work, creating pieces for Faith’s store, and all the applications, I never had time to do much thinking.
    My phone buzzed a text, causing a clattering across the table. I’d never responded to Jack’s last text, and he never sent another. Even so, my belly always gave a small lurch each time my phone made a noise. I wondered if I’d ever get over that. I grabbed it and saw the name ‘Jazz’ and a link to Access Hollywood. “Sorry,” I said to Colt. With a frown, I clicked open the link.
    Jack and Audrey Split! Huge public blow up! I stopped reading.
    I couldn’t believe she’d send me this after agreeing never to mention his name to me again. We hadn’t even talked about the movie when it came out. I hadn’t seen it, obviously. I immediately called her.
    “I know, I know!” she said as soon as she answered.
    I eyed Colt who was looking at me with confusion. “Seriously, Jazz? Them being together or not has nothing to do with me—”
    “Wait, I know it doesn’t mention this in the article I sent you, but—”
    “I haven’t read it,” I snapped.
    Realizing the topic, Colt dropped his eyes and shifted.
    “I figured you hadn’t since you’re already on the phone with me, and I just sent it–but just hear me out, ok?”
    I sighed, and mouthing another sorry to Colt, went out the front door to sit on the porch swing. “Fine. Go ahead.” I steeled myself to let whatever she had to tell me slide right off.
    “Never mind. I’m coming over. Hang tight.”
    I ground my teeth together and breathed out in a huff.
    “Oh, and happy birthday,” she added and hung up.
    I put my phone down beside me and drew my legs up. I hugged them tightly to my chest and waited, a medicine ball lodged in my throat. The amount of times I had thumbed gently across the Late Night Visitor entry in my contact list made me shudder with shame. My moments of weakness were more frequent than I cared to admit.
    And when I allowed myself to think of Jack, my emotions ricocheted around like a three-ring circus.
    In one corner of my mind, I had this memory that, despite the brevity of our time together, Jack and I had connected on some elemental level