Page 113 of Love Unavoidable
“Can I get you anything?” Ethan asks.
“No, I’m just going to pack a couple things. Would you mind dropping us at the airport?”
“Of course,” Ethan says. “Are you okay to do this? All things considered?”
“I think so.”
“If you need me . . .”
“I know,” I tell him, grateful he’s here. Sad he won’t be there. “Thank you.”
I pack in record time, throwing I don’t even know what into my suitcase. It doesn’t matter since I have plenty of things to wear at my parents’ house. I will never forgive myself if my mama dies before I get there. I continue to try and call my daddy and my brothers on the way to the airport. My daddy’s phone still goes straight to voicemail and none of my brothers answer.
“Does everyone have their phone turned off?”
“If they are in the ICU,” Ethan says. “They can’t have cell phones.”
“Sadie, you remember how terrible the reception is at South Gen?” Aaron reminds me.
“Oh, she’s there? I hate that hospital.”
“It’s closest.” Aaron shrugs.
Ethan holds my hand as he drives, it’s soothing which helps to calm me. But before I know it, we are pulling up in front of the departures sign at the airport.
How do you kiss your current boyfriend goodbye when leaving on a trip with your ex-fiancé?
Ethan helps me with my luggage, then pulls me into his arms and holds me tight. “Will you call me when you land?”
I nod. Tears pool and spill over. I’m scared. Not just about my mom and whether she will be okay. But about leaving Ethan so soon after we finally got together. And now he’s literally driven me to the airport so I can leave with my ex? How does he feel about that? I can’t believe we didn’t get a chance to talk about this before I leave.
And what if she dies? How do I leave my daddy and come back here?
You don’t.
I’m grateful to Aaron for thinking ahead and already having tickets. But I’m also angry that it rushes everything. And forces me to spend time with Aaron. And what all that will mean. Ethan wipes the tears away gently and places a long kiss on my forehead. He breathes in deep and lets it out slowly, looking me in the eyes. His expressive eyes that say so much at the exact time I need them to.
“Me too,” I tell him. Then lean up and give him a quick kiss on the lips and walk into the airport. Not turning back to see if Ethan is watching or if Aaron is following. I already know Aaron is not a part of my future. But depending on what’s waiting for me in Texas, Ethan might not be now either.
