Before anyone has a chance to say anything else, the man’s phone rings.
“I’ll help her,” she says, turning to the man. “Why don’t you head inside? I’ll be there soon.”
He nods, holding the phone to his ear as he walks away.
Once he’s far enough away, Mom steps closer to me. She puts a hand on her hip, scowling at me. “What are you doing here?”
Tears sting in my eyes because she didn’t even take the time to greet me. Nothing’s changed. I wanted her to miss me, but it’s clear my presence only annoys her.
I know I should say something, but I don’t know what to say to make her want me.
She opens her purse, pulling out her wallet. “Is it money? Did you come here for money?”
I shake my head. “I just wanted to see you.”
She sighs, pulling out a wad of bills and holds it out to me. “Go home.”
I don’t want her money. I want my mom.
She pushes the bills into my hand and forces my fingers around them. “I don’t have time for this.”
“I miss you,” I whisper.
She hesitates for a split second. Then she steps back, leaving me with the crumpled bills. “It’s time to grow up.”
I search her face, determined to find some justification for what she’s saying, but she means every word.
She puts her wallet back in her purse. “Don’t come back.”
I’m consumed by sadness, and my tears start falling, hitting the pavement like raindrops.
Is this why Mallory refused to take me? Did she know this would happen?
I want the ground to split open and swallow me whole to stop the pain. It would be easier than finding where I belong, and I don’t want to hurt anymore.
There aren’t any buses home until tomorrow morning, so I find a quiet spot in the bus terminal to sit. My legs are sore from walking so much, and my stomach won’t stop growling. I try to ignore it by resting my head on the wall and closing my eyes.
At this point I’m numb. I’ve replayed what my mom said over and over again in my mind. Was I so awful growing up that I deserve to be treated that way? That’s the only thing that makes sense. She left because of me.
“Emma?”
At first I’m convinced I’m dreaming because his voice is deeper than I remember, but when I open my eyes I see him.
Myles.
He stands across from me, breathing heavy like he’s been running. His face softens when I meet his eyes, and I can’t help but notice the relief written across his face.
Did he come all this way because he was looking for me? He couldn’t have. He should know better than to waste his time on a person like me.
“What are you doing here?” There has to be another explanation because there’s no way he’d ever talk to me again after the way I treated him since Duke.
He steps closer. “I came to find you.”
My brow furrows. “Why?”
“Emma!” Mallory yells, running toward us. She grabs my shoulders, shaking me. “Do you realize how worried I was? You can’t just run away!”
Myles moves off to the side with his hands in his pockets and his head down like he’s trying to give us space.
