~{Chapter 13}~

"Hi," Josh says.

"Why are you calling?" I demand.

"Calm down. This is a friendly call," he calmly says.

"Nothing is friendly about you," I snap.

"Ouch, that hurts."

I roll my eyes. "Get to the point."

"I want to talk to you about Beth and the whole ordeal that happened. I have an explanation for everything that happened."

"Josh, there's no need for an explanation. You flat out cheated on my best friend. I don't know what would make you think I'd listen to you and whatever ridiculous explanation you have."

"Kate, please. I know I was wrong. I feel horrible and so ashamed."

"Why do you have the sudden heart change? Last time I checked, you didn't care about anyone here," I say suspiciously.

"Just meet me at the neighboring town on Monday. I'll explain everything."

"Unlike you, I actually work on Mondays," I say sarcastically.

"Please stop with the insults. I'm being serious."

I bite my lip to stop myself from saying something sarcastic. "I'm not meeting with you during the week. If you want to talk to me, you're going to have to meet with me next Saturday."

"Why not this Sunday?" he pushes.

"Saturday or never," I say determinedly.

I hear him sigh. "Fine."

"Bye," I say before hanging up.

I rub my temples. A headache had come while I was talking to Josh. He was not good news, and I have no idea why I agreed to meet with him. I sigh and go up to my room to get some sleep.

~-~-~-~
The next week passes by quickly, and I try to avoid talking to Beth. I was afraid she would find out what was going on if I talked to her for too long. I hate keeping secrets because I can't really keep secrets.

Somehow, I make it to Saturday without revealing anything to her. Now, I'm sitting at a table in the corner of a coffee shop waiting for Josh to show up.

I don't wait for long before I hear, "Kate!"

I roll my eyes and turn around to look at Josh. He slides into the chair across from me and waits for me to speak. I don't. He continues to just stare at me.

"It's usually polite to say hello," he finally says.

I smirk. "I'm not polite."

"Kate, can't you at least remember what our friendship was like before all of this?"

I laugh bitterly. "No, I can't. All that got tossed out the window when you cheated on Beth. We may be in the process of forgiving you, but I can't force myself to act like we're friends."

He sighs. "Y'all have forgiven me?"

"We're trying, but don't think it's going to change what you did."

"Kate, you have no idea how sorry I am for what I did. I know what I did was wrong, and I want to be able to tell my mother and Beth that. I know I hurt both of them."

To say I'm shocked is an I understatement. "Are you really Josh Tucker?"

"What do you mean?"

"In all the years I've known you, I've hardly ever heard you apologize like that," I say.

He sighs. "That's my downfall. You have no idea how hard it was for me to come back and seek forgiveness from all of you. I don't expect anyone to like me, but I might be able to sleep at night if I know for certain y'all forgive me."

I give him the first friendly smile in a long time. "I forgive you."

"Really?"

"Yes," I reply.

"Thank you so much, Kate. Now, do you think I could talk to Beth?" he asks carefully.

"It won't be that easy, but I can try to help you. I just want to know if this is truly the only reason you're here," I say.

He runs his fingers through his hair and talks about the woman he left town with. "She dropped me lack a sack of potatoes after she saw how much hate she got. I'm left with a bad name, while she manages to make herself look good again. I hate to say it, but all of you were right."

"You're not going to try to win Beth back, are you? She's in a good place, and she doesn't need you to come mess it up again," I tell him.

He shakes his head. "I'm just here to apologize. I know it's too late for us."

"Well then, I guess it's time for us to find Beth."

I stand up, but he stops me and asks, "Right now?"

"Why not?" I ask.

"Do you think she'll listen?"

"You can't put this off."

He sighs. "You're right."

I nod and signal for him to follow me. We get inside our separate cars, and he follows me into town and to Beth's house. I lead him to the front of her house. He pauses.

I turn to look at him. "You okay?"

He runs his fingers through his hair. "What happens if this doesn't work?"

"The worst she can do is throw you out. Josh, it's now or never."

He nods his head. "Okay."

I knock on her door before walking inside and saying, "Beth?"

"In the kitchen!" she calls out.

I walk to the kitchen and am greeted with an unexpected scene. Beth is in the kitchen and covered in flour. She is not alone, though. There is a man with her who is covered in even more flour. Josh walks in right behind me and steps back when he sees the two of them.

Beth's mouth turns into a frown. "What is Josh doing here, Kate?"

"I'd like to know the same thing," I say as I gesture toward the man with her.

"This is Sam," she says shortly.

"Hi. Now, if I could steal Beth for just a second," I say to Sam.

He nods and Beth follows me into her living room. I see her uncomfortably glance at Josh more than once. She does not speak. Josh also decides not to speak.

I sigh. "Josh, just tell her what you want to tell her."

Beth avoids having eye contact with either of us while Josh speaks. "Beth, I know I messed up. I know I hurt y'all, and I know you probably hate me. I'm okay with you hating me because I deserve it. I'm not here to try to win you back. I'm just here to apologize and see if there's ever a chance you could forgive me. I'm so sorry for what I did, and I realize how stupid and wrong I was. I'm so sorry."

Beth takes a wavering breath and softly says, "Thank you, Josh. I needed closure. I can't say I've forgiven you all the way, but I can say I'm getting there."

He nods and turns toward me before he leaves. "Thank you for doing this for me, Kate. Goodbye, Kate and Beth."

With a snap of our fingers, he is gone and out the door. Tears are forming in Beth's eyes, and she sits down on her couch. I sit down beside her and hug her. She lets the tears fall silently.

"Is she okay?" a deep, soft voice asks.

I look up and see Sam looking at Beth worriedly. "She'll be fine."

"Should I go?"

Beth quickly wipes the tears away and smiles at him. "No way. You still owe me cookies."

He laughs, but I can tell he is still worried. It makes me happy that she has someone else who really cares about her, but I know she is still hurting. Beth walks back to the kitchen after saying goodbye to me.

I stop Sam before he also leaves. "Take care of her."

He smiles at me. "Definitely."

~-~-~-~
Christmas was here. While everyone was at their homes celebrating, I was in New York City on my way to my hotel. I had decided to go earlier because I was ready for it. I wanted to spend some more time in New York City and visit old places that I went to with James and without him.

My Christmas Day was filled with shopping at all the stores that were open and eating at the restaurants that were open. I was tempted to go see Matt, but I kept myself from going to see him. I did not want to bother him on Christmas Day. It would not be right.

Ring, ring!

"Hello," I say as I walk into my hotel room with my shopping bags.

"Merry Christmas!" Beth says joyfully.

I laugh. "Thanks! How has your Christmas been?"

"Really great. It's been great to see my parents. I haven't seen them since the moved to California, which was about a year or so ago. My mom has also been giving some great advice," she says.

I smile and sit down on my bed. "That's great! Tell them I say hi."

"I will. Have you, you know, spoken to Matt yet?"

I sigh. "I don't think Christmas Day would be the best time to talk to him. He's probably celebrating with friends. I wouldn't want to ruin his Christmas."

"But you will talk to him?"

I smile at her question. "I will. Now, I better let you get back to your festivities."

She laughs. "Alright. I'm trusting you'll talk to him soon. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye."

"Bye, Kate."

I smile as I set my phone and shopping bags on top of the large, soft bed. I walk over to the window and look out the bustling city. Christmas did not seem to stop everyone from going out and filling the streets.

A realization hits me. I should be like them. I should not forget James, but I should not let it keep me from living a life full of joy and happiness. I should not let his death stop me from finding my happiness. I smile as I realize this new information.

I look up and whisper to my amazing God, "Thank you."

I feel like celebrating because of my new found hope and happiness. I feel like I am definitely ready to go to his grave on the anniversary of his death. I am ready. Now, all I have to do is find Matt and talk to him.

That is easier said than done. For the next few days, I go to the address Mr. Parker gave me, but Matt is never there. I tell myself he is just busy working, but I begin to wonder.

The days in the snowy city pass by quickly, and before I know it, it is only one more day until I visit James' grave.

I stare at my reflection in the mirror. The only makeup I am wearing is concealer, mascara, and lip gloss. I smile at myself. It has been a long time since I could look at my reflection and not have feelings of guilt or remorse.

I step out of the bathroom and pick my off white purse up before leaving my room and closing the door behind me. I walk out of the hotel and walk down the busy street. I smile as I watch people rush by me.

I walk down to the subway, and I take it to Matt's address. Before I go to his address, I stop at the park. I sit down on a park bench and take a deep breath. I still have not come up with something to say to him.

I slip my sunglasses on and pull my phone out. I check my messages before opening my Wattpad app and reading a new update from one of my favorite authors. I am engrossed in the story when I hear a dog barking and loud giggles.

I look up and see two girls petting a small dog. A man is crouching across from them. I smile as he talks to them and makes them giggle. I take my sunglasses off to get a better look at the little scene before me. I was too late. The girls run off at the sound of their parents calling for them, leaving the man alone.

The man rises and begins to walk in my direction. I quickly look down at my phone and pretend to read. I expect him to walk past me, but I am surprised when the dog stops and jumps up onto my lap. I laugh.

I am petting the dog when I hear, "Kate?"

I look up and see him. He is staring at me with a puzzled expression.

"Matt," I whisper.