Page 51 of Come Back To Me
“If you can’t, you can’t, but we’ll miss seeing you.”
“I’ll miss you all too. I’ll let you know if I end up being able to make it after all.”
“Nah. Just show up and bring a bottle of liquor or a case of beer with you,” he says with his lips turning up in a smirk.
“Will do.” I lean forward to wrap him in a hug and his arms swing around my back.
“It’s good seeing you out and about.”
“I’m only heading out to grab my meds.”
“Hey, that’s a major hurdle in my book.” He breaks the embrace first, looking down at me.
“Yeah . . . it’s better than when I wasn’t taking them at all.”
“I hope things keep looking up for you. We’re always here when you need us.”
“Thanks.” I lift the container between us. “And thanks for these.”
“Take care, and maybe we’ll see you sooner than Monday.”
“Yeah, maybe,” I say, sounding more chipper than before.
He hugs me again, and this time it’s longer, before he gets in his car. I don’t get into mine until he drives away, and I’m backing up when my neighbor has me hitting the brakes by jumping behind me.
“Your trashcan’s on my side again, and they better not be real candles in those pumpkins.”
I grit my teeth, roll down my window, and shout, “They aren’t, and I’ll move the trashcan when I get back.”
“Or you can do it now.” He slams a hand down on my trunk.
“Please keep your hands off my car, Mr. Mendez.”
“Only when you keep what’s yours on your side.”
Shifting the gear into park, I jump out of the car and stomp to where he’s pointing. I bring the trashcan over by two inches and then lift my hands in front of me. “There. Can I leave my house now?”
Stepping out of the way, he waves his hands to the side. “Go on, then.”
I get back in my car and pull all the way out of the driveway in one sweep once he’s back in his yard. I really can’t stand that asshole. It’s no wonder he never has any visitors other than his twin sister, who seems just as awful as he is. I drive faster after passing his house and go to where I told Gareth I wouldn’t. To the cemetery where he’s supposed to be buried.
When I arrive, I think I’m the only one in the whole place, until I see someone in a blue hoodie hunched over in front of Gareth’s gravestone, leaving yellow flowers. I’m marching over, ready to give who I assume is Arkansas a piece of mind, and then I stop dead in my tracks when Leo turns around.
His face goes two shades lighter and then he peels back his hood. “Oh, hey. I wasn’t expecting to see you here today. If I’d known you were coming, I would have suggested we come together.”
“What are you doing here?” I sound accusatory without meaning to. Or maybe I do mean it. I’m not sure with all the mixed emotions burning a hole inside my heart
“I wanted to come visit. I noticed some assholes were stealing his flowers when I came to visit my sister and thought I’d bring him some new ones.”
“Oh.” I retract my claws, my body growing less tense. “That’s nice of you.”
“It’s the least I can do. I didn’t really . . . I feel like I could have gotten to know him more. For your sake.”
“It’s okay. You’re my friend, not his.”
“Exactly. I’m your friend, and I barely paid attention to the guy whenever he was around.”
“You paid attention to him just fine,” I sputter.
