“No!” She grabbed my arm. “I don’t want you to go!”
I glanced at Lemon and Silas for help. I didn’t have a choice. Lemon held up a finger at Holden, asking for his patience.
“Go on.” He nodded. “We’ll wait.”
Lemon took Anna from me. “I’ve got her. We’ll walk you to the car.”
“I got it, babe,” Silas said, trying to spare her the effort. Lemon waved him off.
I took a step toward the car, blinking back tears. But Silas stepped in front of me, blocking my way. I looked up at Anna’s dad-uncle. She called him her Duncle. He and Lemon were her guardians now that Anna’s mom had passed away. Silas had taught me so much about what it meant to be a real man. Not like my dad. But someone who was good and kind. Firm when necessary but patient and gentle at all other times. I was going to miss him and I could tell from the look he was giving me that he felt the same.
His ridiculously long arms pulled me into a bear hug. It took my breath. Not the intensity. Just the action. My dad never hugged me. Ever. And this was the first time Silas had ever done it. I pounded him on the back.
“See ya, Mr. D.,” I said as I stepped away. I had to go before Dad began honking the horn. Or before I broke down like a baby.
Silas nodded and I swear he was about to cry. I knew I’d won him over but I guess I didn’t realize just how much. I forced a smile.
Anna tackled me, practically knocking me over. I squeezed her to me, her body shaking in my arms.
Man, I loved this girl. With my entire heart. There wasn’t a single thing about her I didn’t love. Her goodness, her sense of humor, her beauty, how she’d befriend anyone, especially someone who was friendless. How hard she loved me.
Lemon peeled her off of me and I let her, but only because I really did have to go. I turned again for the car.
“Bye, Blue!” Christy yelled. Everyone else followed her example. But I couldn’t look back. I could barely breathe. I knew if I let myself glance at this family who’d taken me in as if I was blood, I might not be able to leave. So I went, one step at a time, my personal death march, all the way to the car.
Lemon had been Anna’s mom’s best friend. Normally, Lemon was very chill and not one who liked contention or disagreements. I think at that moment, she was doing what Anna’s mom would’ve done. Because she rolled her shoulders back and waddled over to the open car window. “Hi, Mr. Bishop,” she said sweetly. “Since we weren’t expecting you until five, I think you’ll understand if these two need a minute.” She gave him a stern look.
Though he looked livid, he nodded. “One minute.”
Lemon waddled off, standing fifteen feet away, giving us some privacy. She looked like she wished she could do something to make it better.
Anna and I stood by the car, hugging. I gulped back sobs, trying to be strong as she fell apart in my arms.
“Please don’t go.” Anna wept against my collarbone. “I can’t do this without you. Please stay.”
“Hey.” I cradled her perfect face in my hands. “It’s going to be okay,” I choked, even though it felt anything but. “I’ll be back for two weeks at Christmas. And then next summer, I’m spending the entire summer here with you and Mom and Colt. We just have to get through this next school year.”
Her hands wrapped around mine as a tear slipped down her cheek. Then she shook her head. “And then you’ll leave again. I can’t.” She gasped. “I can’t do this.”
“Hey,” I repeated, quieter, forcing my tone to be calm even as panic clawed at my chest. I needed her to do this. I was all in. I was going to wait for her. But she had to wait for me too. It had to be mutual if we were going to make it. I brushed a tear off her cheek with my thumb. “Big picture, remember? We can do this.” She nodded but she wouldn’t look at me.“Two years of high school and then I’ll get a scholarship to Tech or UVA and we’re in the clear. I’ll be right back in Virginia. Right back with you. Then when we’re done with college we’ll get married and we’ll never have to be apart ever again.”
The passenger window rolled back down. “Minute’s up!” Dad yelled from inside. “Get in the car. Now.”
“Hold on,” I growled. “Just give me half a sec, okay?” He didn’t understand and didn’t care either. All Dad could see was the nationally renowned football program waiting for me at Oceanview Prep. Dad didn’t give a crap that I was leaving Mom and my little brother, Colt, all alone. Or Anna. He only saw her as a distraction.
“No.” He swore. “We’re going now. Get in if you know what’s good for you!”
I hopped in the car but rolled the window down and leaned out.
Sobs wracked Anna’s torso. I smoothed her hair back and pulled her to me. Then I pressed one last kiss to her lips. “Big picture.”
“Yeah.” Her sobs were coming harder but she was trying. She forced a smile. “Big picture.” She patted the base of my neck. “You have the necklace?”
I lifted it for her to see. “I’ll never take it off. Ever. I promise.” I tucked her bangs behind her ears so I could take one last look at her beautiful face. “I love you. All to pieces.” It was something she’d taught me. Something her mom used to say to her before she’d passed away.
“Love you too. All to pieces,” she whimpered.
The car started to move. She gripped my hand. “Blue!” she yelled as we reversed. “Blue!”
