Page 210 of Heartache Duet

Connor nods again as he chews the corner of his lip, and I know him well enough now to realize that means he’s thinking, contemplating.

“What’s on your mind, number three?”

He huffs out a breath. “What are your plans for next year or the year after?”

That’s the million-dollar question right there, and I really should’ve seen it coming. “I’m not sure. I’m actually meeting with Miss Turner about it all today. Hopefully, she can guide me.”

“Isn’t that what the guidance counselor’s for?”

“Yeah, but Miss Turner’s invested in me. I’m her little pet project. Besides, I like her. She’s a good person.”

“She is?”

“Yep. You know she grew up around here? She went to West High. I’m pretty sure she loves her job, but she hates St. Luke’s. You know she’s been asking for funding for three years, and they just keep shutting her down?”

“That sucks.”

“It’s like no one takes mental health seriously around here, especially at that school. We’re the future, and no one gives a shit how we feel. It’s like, your brain’s an organ, right? It should be treated the same way as if you had pain in your kidneys or something. You’d go get it looked at, and everyone around you would tell you to go see a doctor. But when there’s a pain in your brain, these fuckers—”

“You’re preaching to the choir, Ava. I get it.”

“Sorry,” I mumble. “It just sucks for her that no one takes her seriously.” I look through the windshield when he begins to slow down, his gaze focused on the green light.

“Why are you slowing down? It’s green.”

“Go red, go red, go red,” he whispers, then smiles when the light turns amber, rolling the car to a complete stop.

“You could’ve easily made that.”

“I know, but I didn’t want to.” He faces me, a smile tugging on his lips right before he leans across, his mouth pressing to mine, kissing me slowly, openly, perfectly. When he pulls back, he says, “Hi, remember me? I’m your boyfriend, and I’m leaving today for four whole days. I won’t be back until Monday night.”

“I’m sorry.” I hold his arm to my chest while he takes off again. “I know.” Believe me, I know. It’s all I could think about last night while he was sleeping next to me. That, and all the worst possible things that could happen while he’s gone. But I don’t need him to know those things. I want him to go and make the most of it. “It’s only four days,” I say, hoping he doesn’t hear the forced effort in my laugh. “I’m sure you’ll survive.” But I’ll struggle without you, I don’t say.

“I guess we should get used to it, huh?”

I nod, even though the prospect of being away from him for who knows how long kills me inside.

“Well. Duke’s just over two hours away, so if you do stay here, hopefully, I’ll be able to come back whenever I can. You’ll have to keep your bed warm for me though. I’m pretty sure Dad’s planning on going back to Florida.”

“He is?”

Connor nods but doesn’t say much else. When we get to school, he finds a parking spot and gets out to open the door for me. The whole chivalry thing isn’t something I ever thought I wanted—I have arms and legs and can do it all myself—but I kind of love that he does it for me. As soon as I’m out of his truck, he gets bombarded by people wishing him luck for the weekend. I can tell it makes him uncomfortable, but he smiles with every kind gesture, and when it begins to die off, he reaches for me, both his hands linking with mine. “I’ll miss you so much,” he says, just as the warning bell goes off. He curses under his breath, and I kiss him quickly.

“I have to go,” I rush out. Another short kiss. “I’ll see you on Monday.” Then I shrug out of his hold and start running up the steps, the ache in my chest causing the heat behind my eyes. It’s just four days, I keep telling myself. I can do this. With each step up, each inch I move farther from him, the stronger my emotions become. Tears well in my eyes, and I can’t fight them off. And I don’t want to. Shit. I turn quickly, thankful he’s still there watching me. And then I run back to him, faster than I’ve ever run before. I didn’t want him to see me like this, but I can’t let him go without saying goodbye properly. He pushes off his truck when I get near enough, his arms open, and I practically jump into his embrace, my arms around his neck while he wraps his around my waist. Feet off the ground, my legs circle him. “I don’t want you to go,” I mumble into his neck. It’s stupid and petty, and I’m The Worst Girlfriend Ever.

“Dammit, Ava, don’t mess with my emotions like that!”

I rear back, still holding on to him. “I didn’t want you to know how badly I’ll miss you,” I murmur, unable to control my pout.

He sets me back on my feet but keeps me close. “I’m going to miss you, too. Like crazy. But we’ll call and message every day.”

I nod. “It’s four whole days.”

“It feels like forever.”

“I know.”

“Don’t go getting any other boyfriends while I’m gone.”

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