head back to the hotel, Ava’s in my arms with her head on my shoulder fast asleep. She had a busy day; I’m not surprised she’s already out.

My parents didn’t squawk about Laken and me sharing a room. Of course we have Ava with us, so it’s not like we’re going to be doing the nasty.

I lay Ava down on the king-size bed in our room. Everyone is pretty tired after our day at the beach and our big dinner.

When I’m ready for bed I turn off the lights and slide into bed behind Laken, wrapping my arm around her waist. She’s got her arm wrapped around Ava. I smile in the dark when Laken grabs my hand and laces our fingers together, and together we hold Ava.

***

I pace back and forth, waiting for Laken to get back from her last exam. I’m excited but nervous to tell her that I accepted the paid internship at Nike. I can’t let this chance pass me by, and I hope she wants to go with me.

My exams are all finished, and my presentation went amazingly well. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to my college career. I stop in front of our cap and gowns that are hanging on the back of the bathroom door. I smile at the gold cords since we’re both graduating with honors.

The door opens, and my girl comes walking in. She smiles and comes right to me. I pull her into my arms. “How’d it go?”

“It went great, and I’m so glad it’s all done. I feel like I could sleep for a week.”

I bend down and kiss her lips. “That’s great, babe.” I grab her hand and lead her to the sofa. “Come sit. I want to talk to you about something.”

We sit, and her knee bounces which tells me she’s nervous. Fuck me, I’m nervous too. “I-is everything okay?”

I grab her hands between mine. “Yes, or at least I hope so. Last week I heard from the people at Nike. They’ve offered me a paid internship working on their soccer line. This morning I accepted their offer.” I take a deep breath. “I want you and Ava to move with me to Oregon. I want us to start our lives together, the three of us.”

Laken doesn’t say anything as she stares at our hands. My heart starts hammering away in my chest. I feel my stomach sink when I watch a tear slide down her cheek. She pulls her hands from mine and stands.

She paces back and forth in front of the coffee table. “Laken, please say something.” I stand and move around the table until I’m in front of her.

She looks up at me. “I-I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to uproot Ava from the only home she’s ever known.”

“People move all the time. She’s young enough that it shouldn’t affect her.” I feel myself beginning to panic. Laken can’t say no. I can’t do this without her… Okay, I could, but dammit I don’t want to.”

“She’s my daughter, and I know what’s best for her, and moving far away from her family is not it. Why would you say yes without talking to me first? You want us to go with you, but I don’t get a say in anything?” The tears continuously slide down her cheeks.

“This is a huge opportunity for me, Laken. You knew that this was a possibility after I went out there. You supported me and cheered me on, but now you’re pissed because I didn’t ask you before accepting the position? Do you love me?”

Thankfully she answers immediately. “Yes, of course I do.”

“Do you want a future with me? Even if it means we move away from our families, because yes, I’m leaving mine too?”

“I want a future with you, but I can’t just uproot my daughter from everything…”

I hold up my hand to stop her from talking. “Stop using Ava as an excuse. She’ll be happy because I’ll fucking make sure of it.”

“I’m not using her as an excuse.”

I scrub my hands over my face. “Do you want to go with me, yes or no? It’s that simple, Laken.” She bites her lip. “Answer me, yes or no?”

“No.” Her voice cracks, and she starts to cry.

Fuck, I could cry right now too. I grab my keys, but I stop when I reach the door. “This right here is why I should’ve fucking stayed single. Thanks for wasting my time. Have a good life, Laken.”

I slam the door behind me, and her sobs can be heard through the door. Part of me wants to go back in and comfort her; instead, on autopilot, I head out, climb into my car, and drive away from what I thought was my future.

Chapter Twenty-seven

Laken

By the time my tears dry up, my throat aches and my eyes feel like sandpaper. My phone pings, and I run to grab it out of my bag. I see Chance’s name and quickly open it.

Chance: Have your stuff gone by the time I get back. Just slide my key under the door.

Tears flow down my cheeks again. I quickly type out a message.

Laken: Are you sure that’s what you want? My stomach sits in my throat as I watch the tiny dots dance while he types his reply.

Chance: Yes, I’m sure. There’s no point in dragging this out.

Laken: Okay, if that’s what you want. A sob slips past my lips.

Chance’s reply kills me.

Chance: Sure is. Have a good life.

I call Nicole, asking her to come help me grab my stuff. I need to be gone before he comes back. It would destroy me if I saw him right now.

There’s a knock on the door, and I rush toward it. I pull it open, and Nicole pulls me into a hug as I cry. “Sweetie, what happened?”

Through tears I tell her. “He got the Nike internship. I knew he would, but when he asked me

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