But at that moment, I wanted nothing other than to be in the arms of the man I loved. The man I hoped would see me through this next chapter of my life.
I didn’t want to be alone for what came next. I wanted Connor. I wanted him in my life, however that looked.
I slowed down as I rounded the last curve coming down Westfall and continued straight towards the campsite.
And what I hoped would be the beginning of a new future for all of us.
The storm worsened as I slowly made my way down the highway that connected the Westfall peak with the rest of Watford. What would be a twenty-five minute drive under normal circumstances had turned into an almost forty minute drive. I passed the sign for the Watford campsite and turned right, immediately feeling the gravel road shift in protest.
I only made it a mile down the road before pulling off to the side of the road. It was no longer safe to drive. My car would get stuck, and I’d be far worse off than when I started.
“Damn it!” I shouted, banging the wheel in frustration. The boys’ cabin was less than a quarter mile away. Storm clouds darkened the sky and lightning crackled in the distance, illuminating the clouds. The rain poured relentlessly, creating a symphony of rhythmic pitter-patter on the ground.
I realized that if I was going to do this, I would need to walk the rest of the way to the cabin.
Determined, I braced myself for the wet journey ahead, feeling the rush of cool air and pounding rain as I stepped out of the car and onto the muddy excuse for a road.
I wrapped my jacket tighter around myself, feeling like a complete fool for having started this process in the first place.
My boots slid in the gravel and mud, and my legs grew weary. I reminded myself of what was at stake and took a few more steps, finally seeing the faint glow of a porch light.
I ran towards the cabin, pounding my fist against the door.
“Connor? Kam?”
The closed curtains made it impossible for me to determine if there were any lights on. The small kernel of hope I’d been clinging to faded as my gaze landed on the parking space, now devoid of the one blue Chevy I’d been praying to see.
They had already left. I was too late.
I knew it had been a long shot. Kameron and Lucas had told everyone of their plans to leave Watford. I was foolish to hope that they stayed after learning what happened with my dad.
I was an idiot. A complete idiot.
A hysterical sob escaped me.
I’d abandoned my car on the side of the road and walked here, in the middle of an unseasonably horrible storm, and he was already gone. I leaned against the porch beams for support.
I would find a way forward, just like I always did. I’d live my life, even if that meant living in a world without Connor. Even if that meant I spent the rest of my life wondering what would have happened if I’d made the right choice.
“Abbie?”
I whirled toward the door, and Connor stood there, a towel in his hands, wearing a fresh pair of jeans and a blue t-shirt, concern etched into every line of his face.
My entire body slumped forward in relief. I stumbled towards him.
“I’m so sorry,” I cried. “It was a mistake, all of it.”
Connor’s face was full of concern as he reached for me.
“You’re soaking wet,” Connor said, running his hands down my shoulders and arms. “How long have you been out here?”
I let out a desperate laugh.
“I thought you were gone,” I said frantically. “I drove all the way here after I talked to my mom, and then my car got stuck, so I walked, and Lucy wasn’t parked in the driveway, and thought I’d lost my chance to explain.”
Connor shook his head and took a step back. He slid his hands into his pockets, leaning against the door.
“We decided to stay one more night. It’s not safe to drive in the storm. We parked the cars around back, so they wouldn’t get stuck in the mud. Kam had his headphones on and didn’t hear you knocking while I was in the shower. Now come inside before a tree falls on you.”