Page 101 of The Change Up
“The words felt like acid, and I wanted to take them back as soon as I said them, but I couldn’t, the words were already out. As I watched his face turn into a twisted smirk as if he’d won, I decided enough was enough. The backbone I’d been slowly growing took shape, and I finally confronted him.” Her head snaps in my direction as shock laces her pretty, albeit tear-stained, face. “I told him our relationship was done. I didn’t want to hear from him, didn’t want to see his name on my phone, and our twisted relationship had me downplaying my relationship with the women I love.”
“I never should have said you weren’t enough because the thing is, I don’t feel like I’m enough when I’m in your presence. You’re so good, Chloe. You have the purest heart, and I feel like I’m going to dim your light.”
“Never, Cody Jacobs—” Her words are cut off as her lips find mine. Reaching my arms around her, I pull her to me, never wanting to let her go.
All too quickly she’s pulling away from my arms. “Karma will get him. In the meantime, I hope he walks across Legos without shoes on and then stubs his toe on the stairs and then has hair in his food.”
“Damn, feisty Chloe turns me on.”
Her chuckle fills the space as she leans forward, her lips finding mine.
Damn, I’ve missed these lips.
“Take me home, Cody,” she murmurs against my lips.
“Your place or mine?”
The late afternoon sun streams through the library windows casting the space in a warm, golden hue. Tables are packed with students busy cramming for finals. That’s exactly what I’m doing here. I’ve been living on a Red Bull and Twizzler diet all week as I try to cram any last-minute information into my brain. The baseball team has had two back-to-back away series, which hasn’t allowed much time for final exam preparation.
Do I feel overwhelmed? Yes.
Am I panicking? A little.
Do I want this week to be over? Hell, yes.
It’s been a week since Cody and I reunited. Well, we weren’t really separated. Both of us just needed space to work our shit out. I knew deep down I was being a child by not giving him a chance to explain, but I needed to work out my childhood trauma.
Dad drove up one evening, and I told him everything about Camilla. It was hard for him to hear that she moved on and found a family of her own. Both of us have the overwhelmingfeeling of not being good enough. But he reassured me that there was nothing wrong with me. That Camilla’s issues are solely on her. She decided to ignore the best person in the world—his words, not mine—and that’s something she’s going to have to live with for the rest of her life. With a big parting hug, my dad told me he’d see me soon as he departed for three months in Arizona where he’ll be overseeing the completion of his new restaurant while getting it up and running.
While I was sorting through my trauma, Cody was busy working on his. He’s officially cut ties with his dad. It wasn’t an easy decision, but after a long conversation with his sister, one in which Leah assured Cody she could handle whatever came her way. Cody decided to block his dad’s number.
It’s like a weight was lifted from his shoulders. He’s walking around with a lighter air. I think he’s grown to love the game again. No longer does he carry the weight of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Now baseball can be his only focus.
Grabbing my planner from my book bag, a piece of paper falls out. Reaching down, I pick it up and flip it over. I smile at the words on the page.
There’s no doubt in my mind that my favorite florist helped spruce up his words. And her little note on the bottom of the card was the perfect touch.
Wildflower,
The sun shines brighter with you in my life. I’m lost without you. Since the day I met you, I knew you were it for me. My world is trapped in your orbit, and it spins in chaos when you’re not around. You’re more than enough for me. You’re my everything. I love you.
-Cody
PS-Put the boy out of his misery. Life’s too short. Don’t let love pass you by, sweet girl.
“Hey, Wildflower,” Cody whispers in my ear, kissing my forehead.
I lean into him for a second, savoring his warmth. “Hey, babe. How was your exam?”
“Not bad,” he says, dropping down into the empty chair next to me. “What time is your final?”
Hitting my phone screen, I check the time. “In an hour. I think I’m ready.”
“I’d say.” He laughs, reaching his arm around my shoulders. “You’ve been here for days, and you’re starting to shake from all the energy drinks.”
“Lattes weren’t cutting it.” My body involuntarily twitches. Maybe I’ve had too much caffeine. “I want to sleep for a week straight.”
“You’re lucky we’re off all weekend. And we’ll have the townhouse to ourselves since Brynn will be in Kansas City with Quinton.”
