Page 115 of Chasing You

“Okay, slightly dramatic,” May pipes in.

“Now he’s got Marina back, and I guess…he’s starting to figure out who he really is when all of that pressure is out of the way. I don’t blame him for not picking up the phone. The burst of pressure would be suffocating.”

The rest of us are left silent. I don’t blame him either. Miles needs to decide what is right for him and what future he really wants for himself. He can’t do that while people tell him just how much he needs to go back to his old life and how good it will be for him.

Maybe that’s why I’ve never tried to convince him to stay. I don’t want him to stay because I asked him to, I want him to stay becausehewants to. Not because I pressured him into it.

“Shit sorry guys,” Isla says. “That got real serious real quick.”

May just ignores her, her focus stuck on me. “Did you guys end up having that conversation?”

I just shake my head. Now it’s my turn to take a big gulp of my drink. “It was his last physio appointment today. No doubt he’s been cleared to get back to work. He’s so perfect that even his bones heal miraculously.” I roll my eyes.

Marisol snorts. “Sorry.”

“It’s literally stupid.” I pick up the rust colored throw pillow from beside me, hugging it to my chest. “His stupid job, and his stupid fractured collarbone, and his stupid smile and that stupid fucking house.” I groan, throwing the pillow over my face and sliding down the couch.

“Did you hear how the appointment went?” May asks.

I just shake my head—and the pillow before dropping it into my lap. “Nope. I had my shift at the bar and then came straight here.”

“He didn’t text you to let you know?” Marisol asks.

“Nope. And I’m trying not to let that freak me out so if you all could give me some mildly delusional reassurance here, that would be great.”

“He’ll be processing,” Isla says. “He’s always had to deal with things on his own. Our parents didn’t respond to anything but positivity from him, so he learned to look inward, to solve all ofhis problems internally. He’s gotten better, he’s opening up more, but he’ll be taking his time with his decision, no doubt.”

It’s funny because I’ve never felt like Miles hasn’t been open with me, with our relationship in the past, and now. I’ve always known what he was thinking, whether it was that he secretly lovedThe Princess Bride, or the fact that I knew as soon as he got to town that he wanted me back. I’ve never had to dig with him, so it feels foreign to wait this out. The only other time I’ve ever waited on Miles was when he never came back, and I don’t even want to fabricate that possibility in my mind.

“No matter what,” Isla says, grabbing my hand, “I’m here for you. We all are. I will gladly talk about what a loser my brother is if he decides to let you go.” I just exhale in a laugh. “But I have a funny feeling he’s not gonna do that.”

“I hope you’re right.”

chapter forty-eight

MARINA

PRESENT

“Oh, Miles!”Ma traps Miles in maybe the tightest hug he’s ever had as soon as we walk through the front door to their house. “I am so glad you are here,tesoro. I’ve missed seeing your pretty face around my shop!”

“I’ve been a little busy,” he says, his gaze cutting to mine. I can’t help the blush that rises on my cheeks.

Ma smiles that signature approving smile as she hooks her arm through his. “Well, I can’t be too upset then, can I?”

“Hello, daughter of the happy couple, where have you been?” May asks, looking at me from where she’s standing on a dining chair, trying to tack the sparkly bunting up to the wall that Ma probably got from the two-dollar store.

I’d usually be the person organising decorations. I should’ve had this place looking like a decoration store threw up in here, but like Miles said, we’ve been a little busy.

From my doctor's appointment, to Miles buying us a house, to our housewarming party, and girls' night last night, I haven’t made enough time for my parents.

But tonight is their night, and I want it to be as special forthem as possible. Forty years of marriage is no easy feat, even if the two of them always made it look that way.

“Actually,” May holds up her spare hand, “I don’t need to know.”

I just shake my head as big arms wrap around my waist and a heavy head lands on my shoulder.

I can hear the sound of cheers from outside and the sound of Leo complaining, which means that the rest of them are out there playing corn hole. Leo is notoriously bad, and surprisingly, Rafael is a killer.

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