Page 17 of Final Goodbye
My dad was never too serious. He lived a vivacious life, laughing and making a joke at any moment he could. Funerals were so goddamn depressing, and I wanted to take a page out of his book. Instead of standing up here and crying because I’d never see him again, I had that silent conversation in my head with him to remember all the good times. All the times he made me laugh so hard I’d cry.
My lips curved, the memories that ran through my mind bringing me an overwhelming feeling of comfort and peace. I looked up at the photos passing by once more, a picture of himand me when I was a little girl staring back at me. When I turned back toward my dad’s friends and family, who watched the pictures scroll by, sadness coating their faces, I chose to be at peace.
I knew the moments of grief and sorrow would hit me again later on, but I was choosing a different approach on my path to healing.
I locked eyes with Declan in the back row, a look of curiosity on his face as he tried to read my expression. For now, the memories running through my mind would stay between my dad and me. As for me and Declan, we’d have to pick up the conversation from the bathroom on another day.
The chaosof the funeral had finally come to an end, which meant I could wind down in my old bedroom and collect my thoughts. Staring up at the canvas photo that hung above the dresser, it readmake yourself at home.?The room was comfortable, but it didn’t feel like home whatsoever. It had generic decorations, and nothing about it felt like a place I wanted to come back to at the end of a long day. Unfortunately, it would have to do for now.?
Healing would take time but being home near my family gave me the hope that I would get the closure I needed. I wanted to make sure I was doing my best to check in on my mom and grow closer with her. She may not admit it right now, but I think she needed me as much as I needed her. And the thought of a fresh start wasn’t bad, either.
Sitting there, deep in thought, mindlessly scrolling through my phone, my thoughts were taken back to the moments I spent with Declan today.?
The more time I spent with him, I noticed how attentive, protective, and sincere he was.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want his company even more because of it.
The way he stuck up for me and pretended to be my boyfriend, like he was swooping in to save the day—it was hot. By the way he was acting, it seemed he had the vibe that Logan wasn’t a good guy, something I already knew. And nothing was more attractive to me than a guy who took charge of a situation.
I wasn’t sure what Logan had been up to in the last handful of years, and I didn’t care. Although, I’m sure Declan might know a thing or two about him—the town was small and every move you made was tracked. If someone was a good person, everyone knew it. They would take the time out of their day to say hello in passing. If they were bad, well then, no one would take the time to acknowledge their existence.
Fumbling my phone between my fingers—itching to have a distraction—I remembered I had Declan’s phone number. I’d had it for days now and hadn’t found a reason to use it. I didn’t want to seem desperate by texting him the first day he gave it to me. But after today had come and gone, what better time to text him than now?
Pulling up a new text thread with his name on top, I started to type. It made me nervous, maybe even a little anxious. Like I was back in high school again, texting a boy for the first time. I backspaced every couple of words, not knowing what to say, when I finally settled on something that would hopefully come off flirty. I was sick of being so serious. I needed a reason to have a little bit of fun.
Me: Hey, it’s your “girlfriend.”
I blushed immediately after pressing send.
Was it stupid? Would he even text back?
The three dots at the bottom of the screen showed up, almost like he was right by his phone this whole time, waiting for me to text him.
Declan: Hey, baby girl. Finally found a reason to use my phone number, huh?
Yup. Definitely blushing.
I was so glad he wasn’t here to see me hiding my face behind my hands right now. This was why texting had always been the superior way to communicate. It gave me time to think, and I wouldn’t stumble over my words like I’d done once before with him—as he stood right in front of me like the tattooed Greek god that he was.
Picking up my phone, I had a goofy grin on my face. Who knew texting him on the evening of my dad’s funeral would change my mood completely??It was exactly what I needed.
He gave me a reason to smile, even in the darkest moments.
Me: I guess you could say that.
Declan: Hmm... and what reason would that be?
Me: I guess I just needed a distraction. And I wanted to thank you, for earlier. You didn’t have to step in to rescue me the way that you did.
Declan: Well, I’ll do my best to help distract you. Let me know what would help most:
1. A shirtless picture of me in bed.
2. Picking you up to take you on a joyride.
3. Hand delivering every flavor of ice cream I can find at the store.
Uncontrollable laughter hit me. I knew he was joking, but damn, did I want to say, “All of the above, please.” Instead, I kept it casual.
