Page 103 of When We Met

If only I had known what was coming next.

Maybe then I wouldn’t have been so quick to leave.

-lost

Finally, closure.

BARRON

Monday morning, I’m miserable. What the fuck was I thinking letting her leave?

Uh, I wasn’t. What the fuck?

Why’d you let this happen? I’m talking to you. People. You should have smacked me upside the head and said damn it, suck up your goddamn pride

I hope you’re happy, you fucking dumbass.

And fuck you, Ray LaMontagne, and your song “I Was Born To Love You” because I don’t like that song, and I’d really like it if you’d stop playing it on the radio. That’s how being at work goes. We’re swamped with repairs, and I’m depressed, cursing out the radio.

“I hatin’ dis song,” Sev tells me, clanking wrenches together. “I’m hungry.”

I smile at her, leaning into my toolbox to scoop her up into my arms. “Let’s go see if Lillian has snacks.”

She wraps her arms around my neck. “Okay.”

Camdyn’s still mad at me over Kacy leaving so she stayed with Morgan today. Can’t say I blame her. Even I don’t want to be around me.

Inside the office, Lillian tosses an envelope on the counter in front of me. “FedEx dropped this off for you. And Jace left.”

I nod, not paying attention to the envelope, and hand Lillian my cell phone. “Answer this if it rings.”

“I’m hungry,” Sev tells Lillian, digging through her snack drawer she keeps for Sev. Okay, all of us.

“Why do I need to answer your phone? Is Kacy going to call?”

“No. I’m expecting a call from Earl, and I can’t hear it in the shop with all that noise.”

“Fine.” She sets my phone down on the desk.

“Don’t you dare call her, Lillian,” I warn.

“Why did you let her leave?”

“Because.”

“That’s not an answer.”

I glance down at Sev who’s eating a package of fruit snacks, uninterested in anything we’re talking about.

“You were falling in love and let her leave because you were scared.”

“I wasn’t falling in love. Stop talking to Morgan.” I stare down at the envelope knowing that’s a lie. I was falling for Kacy and it scared the shit out of me. Then I realize what she said. “Jace left? Where?”

“Not sure. Abi showed up in town the day after Christmas and now nobody has heard from either one of them.”

I snort. “He probably kidnapped her.”

“It’s romantic,” she gushes, batting her lashes at me.

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