Page 107 of Choosing a Forever
“Oh, please. You almost passed out when you got your helix pierced!”
“Yeah, well, that’s different. The needle wentthrough my ear. It wasn’t just a surface scratch.”
I roll my eyes, but a smile tugs at my lips. Lizzie and I have kind of gone overboard on body art since we graduated. Lizzie needs the practice, and I have plenty of blank skin for her to use as a canvas.
For me, it’s a way to separate myself from the girl I was and the woman I want to be.
Whoever the fuck she is.
I leave for Oregon in a month, despite my parents wanting me to stay. They haven’t been pushy, luckily, but I can tell they’re sad I’m leaving.
I don’t like upsetting them, but I can’t stay in our small town with all the memories,good and bad.
I can’t move to Provo or Orem and go to college there because I risk running intohim,and I can’t handle the anxiety.
No, moving states will be the only way I can find some peace. It’s the only thing that can help me move on.
Leaving my parents, the twins, and Lizzie will be hard, but I know it’s what I need to do.
I’ll be happy in Oregon. I’ll thrive. I’ll get my business degree and hopefully land a good job which will allow me to travel. I’ll fall in love and get married and have my happily ever after.
Life will be great.
After our group hug, the twins took turns showering before we had to leave for Talmage’s parents’ house.
Every inch closer to their place ramps up my nerves, and my leg won’t stop bouncing from the passenger’s seat.
Tal’s palm lands on my thigh, and he gives it a gentle, reassuring squeeze. “Everything will be fine. They invited us, remember?”
I nod, taking a deep breath. I still remember the things Laurie said about me to another theatre mom when she didn’t know I could hear her. I was already in a bad headspace, and hearing the mother of the boy I still held out hope could love me was…
Devastating.
“Why does your mom not like Mack?” Kinsley—nosey little bugger—asks from the backseat.
Tal tosses me a quick, questioning glance, and I shrug. I don’t want to explain it.
“Mack and I dated before we were technically allowed to back in junior high, and my mom kind of blamed Mack for um, corrupting me, I guess is the best way to explain it. Mack and I never did anything more than kiss, but to my mom, that was unfathomable.”
Kinsley hums. “Your parents are still part of the church? Even though you aren’t?”
“Yep. They still believe.”
“Well, I promise to be on my best behavior and rave about how great Mack is, then. Hopefully earn some brownie points for her so they like her again.”
Oh God, no.
“Kinsley, please just be polite. No need to talk me up, okay? Just… answer their questions and make conversation. Talk to Lacey about school or ask Tim about track, I don’t know.”
“Oh my GOD. It didn’t click Tim will be there! Oh no, I’m going to be sick. Take me home. Siren, you’re getting fur all over me!” Kinsley whines. I hear Siren panting from where she’s strapped into the car, not a care in the world about shedding on Kinsley’s dress.
I roll my eyes. “You’ll be fine, Kin. We’re not going home. Everything will be fine.” Maybe if I tell myself enough times, I’ll actually believe it.
Before I’m ready, we’re pulling into the driveway of Tal’s childhood home. A home I used to drive by more than I'd care to admit, trying to get a single glance of him during the summer months.
I’ve come a long way since the pathetic, pining teen I was.We’vecome a long way. Instead of feeling dread because I’ll have to put on a show and pretend we’re married for reasons other than financial, I can be genuine. Touching Tal casually doesn’t fill me with longing, only peace, now that we’ve confessed our feelings for one another.
Tal opens the car doors for all of us, and he holds out his hand, interlacing our fingers as we follow Siren up to the front steps with the twins tagging along behind us.
