“I’m saying we tried. That’s all anyone could expect us to do. We both belong with other people. And if it doesn’t work out with Peter, I have no doubt you’ll meet someone ten times better—someone tailor-made just for you. It’s just—it’s just not me.”
Her mouth opens, and a choking sound emits before she closes it again and acquiesces with a nod. “I still don’t think you’re right. I still think you’re making a horrible mistake—that I made a horrible mistake. And I suppose I’ll be dealing with the repercussions for the rest of my life.”
“I hope not. This sting will go away, I promise. I should know.” I pull her in for a quick embrace, and her arms collapse around me hard, her body bucking against mine as if it were the last time we would ever hold one another again, and she’s right. This is it for us. The first and last time we have this discussion. The final embrace before we part ways and become virtual strangers once again. The road before us diverged a long time ago. I was just too stubborn to notice.
She pulls back and wipes the tears from her eyes while gasping for air. “I’d better get back to Ryan.” She gives a little shrug. “I still think you would’ve made a great father.”
“I hope to one day.”
She closes her eyes while nodding. “Go find her, Abel. I hope it works out just the way you want it to. You deserve to be happy.” She takes off, one careful step at a time, and just like that, I feel the final unspooling of who we were, a weight lifting from me as my soul soars to the surface to catch its first breath in three long months.
“Elizabeth?” She turns, her eyes still tracked with crimson. “You deserve to be happy, too.”
She gives a feeble smile and lifts a hand my way before heading to the opposite end of the lake.
Like the snapping of a twig, it’s over. My entire body fills with relief, the removal of a thousand pound millstone from around my neck in the shape of a wedding ring. I take a deep breath and look back at that empty boathouse behind me.
I don’t waste any time. I head to The Corner Store and try my best to get whatever I can from Neva. But all she can offer is herI’m sorrys, an entire litany of platitudes. She doesn’t look too sorry. In fact, she looks downright pissed at me. She’s a good friend to Zoey in that way, and I can appreciate that. Neva tries to text Zoey right there in the coffee shop while I wait, but Zoey doesn’t answer. For a second, I’m tempted to send an explanation via Neva but think better of it. Zoey needs to hear it from me, not secondhand from a disgruntled girl working her breakfast shift. I thank her and head over to Kennedy and Caleb’s. Kennedy swears she’s tried to get in touch with her all night. Reese swings by and says the same.
I pull Caleb and Mom aside and fill them in on what went down with Elizabeth and me. They both seem to understand. Mom even offers to buy my lunch, but I take a rain check. I can’t stop looking for Zoey. I can’t sleep, eat, or breathe without her. I head over to Gavin and Demi’s. Gavin nearly decks me again, but Demi acts as a buffer to his rage. I spill everything that’s transpired in the last three months at their feet. Gavin closes his eyes as if all the pieces to the puzzle have finally decided to fit.
“I’m headed to Port,” he says, kissing Demi then swiping his keys off the table. “Call me if you hear anything.” He jumps into his truck, leaving a plume of dust in his wake.
“She didn’t go to Port.” Demi shakes her head as we watch Gavin round out the lake on his way to the highway that leads off the mountain.
“Where do you think she went?” A spear of hope spikes through me. “Do you want me to stop Gavin?” I reach for my phone, and she lands her hand over mine to cease the effort.
Demi offers the hint of a knowing smile. “I don’t think Gavin should be the one to find her.” There’s a despondent look in her eyes as if deep down she felt for Zoey and me, for our crooked love story. “I think it should be you. It occurred to me just a few minutes ago where she might be.” She takes a deep breath as she looks to the highway, and then she tells me everything.
“It makes sense.” I offer her a quick embrace, her belly protruding between us. “Thank you. I appreciate this. As soon as I find her, I’ll text you.” I bolt for my truck, fresh mountain air filling my lungs, hope filling my heart.
I’m coming for you, Zoey.
I should have shouted those three little words I’ve been dying to say from the rooftop the second I felt them. I’m so sorry, Zoey. I promise to make it up to you.
You belong to me.
And I belong to you.
