Page 119 of My Ex's Best Friend

Where are you, baby?

Did she convince her parents to take her back to the city? I know that she came to Eros because she thought it would be a better, safer place to raise the baby, her friend told me as much. But had I managed to chase her away from this place that she called home?

I inhale sharply.

How had things gone so absolutely wrong? Why is it that always, when I'm on the verge of something beautiful, it's snatched away from me so cruelly.

When Kiera and I finally got together all those years ago, I finally thought that was it. That I had her forever.

But one misunderstanding, and she was gone for my life for five years.

And this time, she thinks that I did something heinous and unforgivable.

Why would she give me a chance to explain myself? She owed me nothing. I owed her everything.

When I close my eyes, her face flashes in front of mine. Maybe trying to barge my way into her life isn't the best idea. I know that I was just trying to make a grand gesture, I wanted to make her see that I wasn't going anywhere and that I was ready to face her wrath.

But I never considered the flip side. I was putting her through immense distress just by my presence. She didn't deserve that.

Maybe I should go away and leave her to her peace. I was selfish, thinking about just myself. What about her? And my unborn child?

Her Mom had mentioned that the doctor had some concerns about her fluctuating blood pressure. I had internally dismissed it. But what if it's an indication of something worse? Would she be glad to finally be rid of me? Will she be happy when I'm gone?

When I break out of my thoughts, I look up to see that I've walked way past the town center. I'm almost on the highway. The road branches in two directions. One that leads toward Oregon, and the other that rises up to a sharp cliff with a gorgeous view of the valley.

It's a gorgeous spot, just right beside a thick forest, and there's even a grand viewing deck. But there's another spot, more secluded, right down the road that isn't known to many people.

I still remember the first time I showed it to Kiera. We were sophomores, and I had convinced her to ditch school.

"You're such a bad influence on me, Jake," she had told me.

"You know you love me."

I would always joke about it, but deep down, I wanted to hear when she said, "I do love you."

I wish I could hear the words from her mouth. I wish she would walk into my arms, and I could just embrace her and never let her go.

But it's never going to happen. She hates me.

"Just wait till you see the spot," I had told her as we rode our bikes there. "You'll thank me later."

I walk past the parking spot and head into the forest.

Ever since that day, whenever either of us were upset, we would walk up the trail to the spot.

We knew nobody else would be there. It was made just for the two of us.

I walk past the woods and come out into the clearing.

For a few seconds, I'm awestruck by the view. The stunning vista of the rugged mountain ranges in the distance greeting me.

The woods are silent, interspersed with the occasional cry of a bird. The sun is right above me, peeking out of the clouds.

But then my eyes settle on something else. Someone else. I'm not alone.

Sitting on the crooked, old bench, is Kiera.

She's facing away from me, so she doesn't see me yet.

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