Wow. I can’t believe I just said that.
I did it.
I told him, and it wasn’t as hard as I thought it’d be.
I’m ready to move on.
I’m seriously ready.
With an awe-filled laugh, I rise from the ground, brushing off the back of my shorts.
“My therapist is going to be so proud of me.” I laugh again. “And I didn’t realize I was ready to say all that to you. I thought bumping into Reef again was like this trigger and I was set back, but… it was more like the final switch I needed. The final button to be pushed.” Kissing the pads of my fingers, I then rest them on his gravestone. “But I’m okay. I can do this. It’s time for me to say goodbye now.” I smile, my chest swirling with this warmth I wasn’t expecting. Like the weight I’ve been carrying all this time is starting to burn away… dissolve… I don’t know, but I kind of like this feeling.
“Goodbye, my first love. Thanks for all the good things you gave me. And thanks for having such an amazing best friend, because… I think it’s time for me to see him again.”
That warmth expands, spreading through my body as I nod and let out a watery laugh.
“I love you, Atlas.” I place one last kiss on his gravestone, my voice a husky whisper as I finally say, “Goodbye.”
Then I turn and walk away.
I don’t look back like I usually do.
I place one foot in front of the other and I make it all the way to the car, feeling lighter with each step.
CHAPTER 51
TYRELL
It’s nearly four in the morning when I creep into the house. Everyone will still be sleeping for another few hours, and I don’t want to wake them, although I’m desperate for a shower. Hopefully me clattering around in the bathroom won’t disrupt anyone. I stink after a labor-intensive shift.
A soft meow catches my attention, and I glance down as Peaches follows me into the house. “Where have you been, girl?”
Lifting her up, I nuzzle her against my cheek before placing her back on the floor.
I need a hot shower, a cold drink, and then sleep. Lots and lots of sleep.
Padding through the kitchen in my work socks, I try not to trip over Cyrus’s cat as she weaves between my legs, then nearly jump out of my skin when I reach the living room and find my parents sitting there.
“Holy shiii…” I let the word trail off because Mama don’t like cussin’.
It’s kind of become a family joke in a way. Anytime anyone gets a little mouthy, we all put on a drawl, wagging our finger and saying, “Mama don’t like cussin’.” It’s especially great when we get to do it toher.
“Mmmm-hmmm.” She gives me one of her looks, and I sag into the wall, leaning my shoulder against it and looking between them.
“You guys good? Why are you up?”
They’re both looking at me in a way that’s setting off alarm bells.
Shit, I am so not in the mood for a serious talk right now, but it’s obvious they set an alarm so they could be sitting here when I walked in from work.
There’s no getting out of this. They mean business, and that shower’s gonna have to wait.
“Sit.” Mama points to the ottoman on the other side of the room from her. She can obviously smell me.
“You sure I can’t shower first?” I mumble, taking a seat on the worn-out leather.
“This is important, and you always shower for way too long. Then you’ll want to crawl into bed, and this conversation won’t happen.”
