I read on.
With that in mind, I felt as though drilling a hole in it would be unwise,
“Duh.”
…so I took it to a jeweler and asked them to turn it into a necklace. You can have the casing around it removed if you choose to sell the coin.
There’s nothing else written on the page, but as I’m folding it up, I see he’s written something on the back.
I miss you, Lou. I regret leaving, but I had a life I had to get back to. I’d love to talk to you again—explain myself—if you’d give me a chance. My number is: 480-928-7667.
I blink at the words and the phone number. Part of me is thrilled about this new revelation, but that part of me is still drunk as a skunk. I need to sleep on it so I can read this letter with a clear head. Plus, I need Bella to read it too. She’ll know what to do. Bella always knows what to do.
I take the note with me to bed. Stripping out of my jeans and old tee, I slide beneath the cool sheets. I’m tempted to put the paper beneath my pillow. Maybe I’ll dream the answer to the question about whether or not I should call him.
I know I shouldn’t.
Why would I? He left and, when he did, he acted like it was nothing. Like our time together was nothing.
Unfolding the paper, I read the short note on the back again.
And then it hits me. “What the hell.” What do I have to lose by calling the man?
Nothing. I’ve got nothing to lose.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
CHASE
When my phone rings,I look down to see who’s calling. I don’t recognize the number, but the area code is familiar.
Could it be her?
“Hello?”
“Chase?” Her voice cracks. “I mean Ryder.”
Fuck. How did she…?
“I just read your note. I guess I didn’t see it in the envelope, then Timmy told me he thought it was odd you’d send me a necklace and not write a note too, so luckily my dad is a pack-rat especially as it related to envelopes because he hates, and I mean hates, to pay for those bubble envelopes. He thinks they’re just way too pricey. Anyhoo, I finally looked inside and BAM, there it was. A note. Granted. I didn’t understand some of what you were talking about in it so that’s why I’m calling. To see if you could explain. Especially about the part about missing me and giving me the wrong name all that time and using a fake number at the bed-and-breakfast. Bella thinks you’re a grade A asshole, by the way, and I do too, sort of. But I’ve got to say, I enjoyed our time together. Heh-heh-heh if you know what I mean.”
I’ve missed her so much. And while I assume she’s drunk off her ass, I don’t care. I’m about to respond to some of what she just said when she starts speaking again. I shut the hell up and let her.
“And my dad, well, he’s on the fence. I think he just wants me to be happy. Did you really go to Stanford?” She gasps. “Oh. My. God. I forgot to tell you. Someone broke into the house and destroyed it. I mean—”
“What?” I say it loud enough for her to hear me above her chatter. “Lou. What did you just say?”
“Someone de-destroyed it.” And I hear her sniffle. “They got inside and brokeeverything. Every single thing. All of my-my work, Chase. I mean Ryder. I’m going to have to sell it to the shoe guy, Mr. Firnstrip. You know, the one from California. He was going to pay a shit ton for it, but I just couldn’t sell it then. It’smyhouse, Chase, I mean Ryder. It’s always been my house. But not anymore, though, because I can’t afford to fix it again. There’s no way I’ll ever be able to keep it now. Because of what they did, it’s how I know your name. They, Finn, had to run all the fingerprints. Yours were one of them, but the, whoever did it, they didn’t leave any fingerprints.” She sniffles again and I can tell she’s starting to cry. “Wh-Why did you lie to me, Chase?”
“Lou….”
“I deserved better.” I hear her voice start to slow, to soften. “Don’t you think?”
“Yes.” I sigh. “You deserved better.”Isure as shit don’t deserveher.
“I really liked you, Chase. Or Ryder. Whatever your name is.”
I hate that she’s referring to me in the past tense. “I really like you too, Lou.”
