Page 7 of Final Goodbye
With zero hesitation, I walked right out to the middle of the creek where the water was the deepest, fully submerging myself. I took a large inhale, filling my lungs with air and holding it, as I plunged under the icy cold water.
I held my breath under the water as long as I could, eventually popping up with a large exhale as I gasped for air. My head shook back and forth, releasing water from my dirty blond locks as I made my way out of the water to grab my discarded clothes and head up to the porch where I always kept dry towels.
My body craved sleep. With another early morning wake-up call in my future, I made my way inside. After my dip in the creek, I opted out of a shower tonight. I would take one in the morning before I left to pick up Myles at my mom’s house before work.?
Sleep was all that ran through my mind.
I threw my dirty clothes in the hamper and didn’t bother putting on any new ones before sliding into bed. Nothing could beat the way the silk sheets felt against my bare skin. That feeling of relaxation I’d been chasing all day hit the second my head touched the pillow. Before I knew it, every thought from the day drifted away.
My parents’ house wasn’t too far up the road from where I lived on Cherry Creek. I always enjoyed being out in the open without neighbors right next door growing up, which had influenced me to build my own house where I did.
Normally, when I arrived to pick up my brother, I’d honk to let him know I was there. But this morning, my mom texted me to come inside, that she needed help with something. Not sure what thatsomethingcould be, since Myles was here and could easily help her out. But just like her, I was a people pleaser, and if someone needed help, I didn’t see why I should say no.
Especially if that person was my mother.
I parked the truck in front of my parents’ modern log cabin, taking in the beauty of it all. It looked like it belonged perfectly here within the mountains, with rows of pine trees surrounding it.?
Heading for the front door, I walked up the stairs that led to the expansive patio. Once inside, I was greeted with the most amazing smell of my mother’s baking. My stomach growled. I was so worried about getting over here and helping my mom that I forgot to grab the usual protein bar this morning.?
“In the kitchen, honey!” I heard my mom yell.?
I wandered in through the open cabin and took a minute to appreciate the massive antler chandelier hanging from the vaulted ceilings. My mom had impeccable taste in home decor. My family had always been in the business of improving homes.Us guys would do the exterior work, constructing the homes, and my mom stayed busy working on glamming up the interior.?
“Mom, it smells amazing in here.” I greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. “What do you have in the oven? And what are you willing to give me?” I rubbed my stomach as my mouth started to salivate.?
“I’ve got casseroles baking and just took out some fresh blueberry muffins. Help yourself, honey. I’ve made more than enough.”
I grabbed a muffin and let out a satisfied groan. “I’m so glad I woke up a few minutes earlier this morning if it meant having some of your homemade muffins for breakfast,” I mumbled with a full mouth.
Smiling softly at me, she said, “I actually need a favor from you… If you wouldn’t mind dropping by after work and picking up some of these casseroles and muffins, I need them to be dropped off at the Wilsons. I’d do it myself, but I have a completely booked afternoon.”?
Well, that wasn’t what I expected my mom to need help with. Maybe changing the oil in the car or switching out a light bulb on the vaulted ceilings.
But I couldn’t be mad about it. Another reason to run into Paige wasn’t something to be upset about.
“Anything for you. You know I’d love to help. It’s a shame to hear everything the Wilsons are going through right now. I actually ran into Paige downtown yesterday. She looked good, considering…” I cringed the moment her name slipped out of my mouth, because I knew it meant my mom was going to pry.
“She looked good, huh?” Mom looked back at me with a crinkle between her eyebrows. “You know her father just died, and it may be a bad time to be checking her out.”
Yeah. Thanks, Mom, for the reminder. Now I felt even more like an asshole.
She had always been real with me. No bullshitting when it came to her. My mom was the most honest and blunt woman I knew. But now I felt the need to cover up the fact that I had indeed checked her out as she walked away from me yesterday.?
“You know what I mean. She looked good considering everything that just happened. I wouldn’t have even expected to see her out and about the day after the news broke. But I’d love to drop by and help out the family with some meals for the week.”
Mom gave me that look, like she knew something I didn’t, when she hummed, “Mhmm,” under her breath before getting back to her tasks in the kitchen.
Myles came around the corner, ready to head to work. He swiped a muffin for himself, and we both gave Mom a kiss on the cheek. I told her I’d see her after I was clocked out for the day.?
After I got off work, I dropped Myles off and grabbed the care package my mom had put together. Sweat formed on my forehead as the nerves ran through me with the anticipation of seeing Paige again. The windows were down, and the cool air swirling around calmed me as I made my way toward The Wilson’s house.?My hands gripped the steering wheel as I cranked up the radio, blaringAnimalsby Nickelback through my truck speakers. I didn’t know what I would be walking into by showing up at her house, knowing her family could be there.
Care package in hand, I made my way up the gravel driveway and rang the doorbell, waiting for someone on the other side to answer. I felt like a selfish asshole for wanting it to be Paige.?
Moments went by with no answer. Looking around, I saw a couple of cars in the driveway, so I knew someone had to be home. I lifted my hand to ring the doorbell again, and I was just about to touch the button when the door cracked open.
I released a relieved breath. Paige stood there, dressed like she had been lounging around all day, cleaning maybe. Hair thrown into a pile on the top of her head, skin-tight black leggings, and a small white T-shirt that slipped off her shoulder just enough that I noticed there was no bra strap in sight.
So fucking gorgeous it took my breath away.
