“Okay, Okay.” I hang up, and my smile from earlier disappears. Being with Kai has opened my eyes to something different, something I might have been longing for all these years, but never found. The inkling of what might be between us doesn’t outweigh this sign to keep moving. I don’t let my heart be vulnerable; I can’t, I won’t. It’s time to say goodbye, though it will pull at my heartstrings.
It’s for the best…right?
I sigh and stare out onto the lake, watching the boats pass by. In my own world, I don’t hear him walk up to me. Kai stands there when I turn around. I hope he didn’t hear my conversation. “I need to head out to my sister’s.”
“Is everything all right?” he asks as he rubs my shoulder.
“Ah, yeah, she’s fine. Thank you.” I peck him on the cheek and walk straight to my car. I don’t have the courage to look back at him, which tugs harder on my heart. It’s like I’m walking away from the nicest guy I’ve ever met, who has me feeling everything in my body, every nerve ending firing. I shake my head and focus on the drive back.
This is what I do; there’s never anyone holding me in one place. I’ll forget all about him once I’m with Lia and the crew. They always know how to keep my mind off things. Once I’m there, I won’t look back—I never do.
The drive to my sister’s is a blur. I slam the shifter into park and slap my hand on the steering wheel. I left Kai standing there. He deserves better than that, better than me. It’s definitely for the best.
I jog into the house yelling, “Theresa, Theresa…”
“What’s wrong?” She comes around the corner, belly first. She is a beautiful pregnant woman, although she’s so tired. It stops me in my tracks and reminds me why I’ve been considering staying here long term.
“I got the spot at Virginia Beach,” I say with a fake smile plastered on my face, with a dab of enthusiasm to sell it.
Why am I not happier about this?
She stares at me, her head tilted and curiosity written all over her face. “Then why do you not sound excited like you did when you told me you applied for it?”
I throw myself onto the couch and groan. With my arm over my eyes, I say, “I’m not sure. I’m sort of excited.”
She pulls my legs up, sits down, and lets my legs fall back on her lap. “Alright, what happened?”
“What do you mean? What happened?” I groan.
I can see the face she’s giving me without taking my arm off my eyes. “Ava Lee, you’ve been talking about Kai ever since the cookout, and you spent the night. I’m not an idiot, I know where you were.”
“Ugh, he’s the best. A nice guy and too good for me. It will wear off, like it always does. It’s only a physical attraction.” I blurt out my thoughts.
“If you believe it in your heart, then you should go to Virginia Beach.”
Did she agree with me? Where did my sister go?
“Okay, fine! I’m feeling slightly torn between staying and going. But I don’t stay anywhere, how is this any different?”
She rubs my legs and says, “That’s a question only you can answer.”
Why isn’t she telling me what to do like she always does?
My phone dings with a notification. I pull it out of my pocket.
Kai:
Are you okay?
No, no, I’m not okay! Why did I have to meet him?I can’t stay, and I told him I would.Was it a lie?Not when I said it, I really thought I’d be here for at least a few weeks. I never thought I would get the call for this opportunity in Virginia Beach. It’s one of the biggest events on the East Coast. I can’t say no.
“Hey.” She pulls me up to a seated position. “When do you need to leave?”
She says it so matter-of-factly, like she’s used to me picking up and leaving. “I’ll pack up my things upstairs and leave right away. I need to be there by Monday morning.”
“Are you at least going to tell Kai you’re leaving?” She looks at me with sympathy written all over her face.
It’s like something is gripping my heart, ready to rip it out. “I’ll text him. It’s only been a week.” I don’t think I can tell him I’m leaving in person. I won’t be able to handle the extreme disappointment on his face. So, I take the easy way out.
