Page 5 of Unsteady in Love

It felt freeing to laugh. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d even broken a smile let alone laughed.

“Don’t worry about it. I’d have the same questions if it were you who was moving. I’m moving tomorrow, but it’s still in town, so we can see each other whenever. The deal was too amazing to pass up, and eventually, Luke will move in too.”

I sat up against my headboard with wide eyes. I knew she liked Luke. A lot. But I had no idea it was to the point of them moving in together. “Wow. Things are really serious between the two of you. I guess Mexico was a hit.”

A smile spread across her tanned face. “It was amazing, and so is Luke. Every day, I wake up and have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. How am I living this life? How did I get so lucky to have such an incredible man find me and get along with Mason so well? It’s wonderful and sad at the same time to see. Mason’s father has never given him the time of day, and Luke listens to every single word he has to say. Right now, they’re making pancakes together.” Happy tears filled both our eyes.

“Oh, Alex, I’m so happy for you. And Mason.” Leaping forward, I wrapped my arms around her in a hug. No one deserved a happy life more than Alex. On more than one occasion, I had witnessed her ex standing outside her house yelling and swearing at her. Threatening her.

“Thank you. I didn’t mean to make this about me, but I didn’t want you to find out I was moving when you saw the truck show up in the morning. We won’t be far, and you can come over anytime or call if you need me. Please, it’s going to be so weird at first being in a new house. I need someone to help me pick out furniture because I can’t decorate to save my life.”

“I’d be happy to help. Just tell me when you need me. It’ll help keep my mind off of my dad and Holden.”

“If you need a place to get away or hide from Holden, just say the word. I’d be happy to help. If you’re sure you don’t need anything, I should probably get home to help pack. I have no clue how he packs, and I’d like to know where all my stuff is since he’ll be leaving me to do all the unpacking, and I won’t be able to ask him where everything is every time I can’t find something.”

“Thank you for coming by to make sure I was okay. I really appreciate it. I’m going to miss you and our talks, even as infrequent as they were.”

“Call me if you need anything. I mean it. Day or night, I’m here for you, and I’ll miss you, too.”

“I will, I promise.”

We hugged once more before she left.

This time as I headed back to bed, I felt a little bit lighter.

I wasn’t as alone as I thought I was.

I had Alex. Even if she was moving away.

3

HOLDEN

I heldmy breath as I waited for Prue to answer her door. I’d given her two days, and I would have given her more if I could, but I was shipping out in a matter of days. Time was running out for me to explain to her why I’d disappeared after graduation.

The front door swung open to a scowling Prue standing with her hands on her hips. “Look who came at a decent time.”

“For that, I really am sorry. I truly thought that you might disappear so you wouldn’t have to deal with me.” I tried to explain.

Never in all the years when I thought I’d see Prue again did I think it would be immediately after her father’s funeral. I knew she would be pissed at me, and I didn’t blame her, but now I wasn’t sure if she’d ever listen to me.

“Like I said before, I’m not the one who runs,” she bit out.

I didn’t remember her being so feisty.

“Can I come in? It’s cold as hell out here.”

Letting out an annoyed breath, she stepped back from the door, and I got my first look into her house. It was small. Smaller than the house she’d grown up in. I saw the couch that we had spent many hours making out on now more worn out. The table I’d sat at and eaten more than my fair share of dinners at had a few extra scuffs on it. Almost everything was the same as it once was just in a different place and more worn.

The one thing that had drastically changed was Prue. She was more beautiful now than she had been back in high school. She was stunning and all woman. Her curves had filled out even though she was skinnier than ever. Her hair was long, down past the middle of her back, and her eyes held more hurt in them than she ever deserved.

I knew I’d put some of that hurt there, and I was ready to try to ease her pain.

“I was about to make a cup of coffee. Do you want some?”

“No, thanks. You never used to drink coffee.” I blurted out the last part, but once it was out, I wished I hadn’t.

Tilting her head, her gaze turned cold. “I never used to do a lot of things I do now.”

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