Page 82 of Where You Left Me

My eyes water. She’s not wrong. But the reality doesn’t make it hurt any less.

“I’m sorry. That was a shitty thing to say. What I really meant to say is, we all love you and want you to stay. Please, just stay.”

I sniff. “I can’t keep starting my life over.”

Suddenly Maverick is towering over us with a beer in each hand. “Wasn’t sure what to get you, Mia, so hope you like this one.”

I sit up and snatch it from him. “Thanks. As long as it’s got alcohol, I’m not picky.”

Maverick glances back and forth between me and Cammie. In my mind, I’m praying he doesn’t question what conversation he just walked into.

From behind me, I feel the sturdiness of a body press against me. One that’s familiar and solid. Jones wraps his arms around me, and I dissolve against him, my lashes fluttering.

With him, it’s easy. We don’t have to talk about the future. Because we had a plan to begin with. He’s not asking me to stay and I’m not telling him I want to stay. Even if deep down; I do.

Deeper-deeper down, I know I can’t.

I don’t have the strength to pick up my life in Connecticut and start again here. Not when things here aren’t secure either. What happens if Jones and I get into a fight? Or worse—I get pregnant again and we lose the baby…again? I’m so afraid Jones and I won’t survive another devastation.

My guess is that we won’t. It’s best if we end things on good terms this time. We’ll get the goodbye we never got but both deserved.

“You okay?” Jones whispers in my ear from behind me.

I nod.

“Good.” He kisses my cheek.

Mom approacheswith Dad in his wheelchair-bike. “We’re gonna take off, sweetie. Your dad is tired so I should get him home.”

“I’m not tired,” he grumbles and flips his wrist at her.

“Okay, fine.I’mtired,” she says.

“I’m proud of you, Dad. You looked great on that bike today,” I say, bending to kiss him on the cheek, but he grips my arm and holds me.

“I’m p-p-proud ofyou.”

My insides warm and I can’t help it, tears spring to my eyes. “Thanks, Daddy.” I haven’t called himdaddyin a long time. Butit felt right. And I think he sensed it was appropriate at this moment too.

Without letting me go, he whispers, “I need you to d-do me a favor.”

I sniff. “Anything.”

His stare locks on mine, and it holds my attention. “Don’t sell Jones sh-short. That one has a lot of potential. He’s a g-good man, sweetie.”

A tear slips out and my throat aches. Somehow Dad’s blessing alleviates the aged unease I’ve unknowingly held onto. Unable to speak or even find the words to say, I nod, and he gives my arm a squeeze before releasing me.

Watching them head into the darkened night, I wipe the tears off my cheeks. Jones comes up behind me, tethering his arms around my waist and I suck in a breath.

“Hey, Peaches, wanna get out of here?”

“Yes, please. I’m exhausted.”

He kisses me on the neck. “Hopefully not too exhausted. You still owe me that reward.”

I spin in his arms. “Never too exhausted for you.”

By the timethe event is cleaned up and we get back to The Pines, it’s late. But we race up the stairs to his apartment like we’re a couple of kids. Young, dumb, and horny.

---