I Was Never Her First Choice

I waited half an hour for a cab in the pouring rain. When one finally arrived, Claire held the door open and spoke to the driver.

"My friend has been through something traumatic. Could you take him home first?"

Her so-called friend was Adrian Cole, her ex.

The driver glanced past her at me, uneasy. "But this gentleman booked the ride."

Only then did Claire seem to remember that I was standing there — her actual boyfriend.

"He won't mind. I'll pay extra."

Once Adrian was inside, she took a picture of the license plate, the way she always had, and reminded the driver—twice—to get him home…