Chapter Thirty
Evangeline
It helpsto be friends with my boss. I was due for some vacation time anyway, and Kamii was able to get me some time off to deal with my emotions. I cried for a few days and sulked for the others, finally coming to the conclusion that I need to face my past.
When I left Minnesota, I promised myself I’d never go back, yet here I am, on a plane, about to face my worst fears. When Kamii first suggested I go home, I thought she was crazy, but I finally broke down and contacted Kaitlyn. We both cried and then talked for hours about everything, and by the end of the conversation, I was ready to pay her a visit.
I have to fly into Minneapolis, and it’s a six-hour drive to Warroad. I was even more excited for the trip when Kaitlyn said she’d come pick me up. Being able to talk to her for that time, alone, will help ease me back into coming home.
After the plane lands, I turn on my phone to text her that we’ve landed. Of course, there’s also a text from Cole, but I don’t read it. Not yet.
He’s texted or called every day, but I haven’t read or listened to any messages. I can only handle one thing at a time right now. His persistence is surprising me, though.
When I walk out, I see Kaitlyn jumping up and down when her eyes meet mine. She and I were two peas in a pod, both crazy as hell and loving every minute.
I run to her, for the first time not nervous at all about coming home. My soul needed this to both heal and move on.
We scream like little girls with both of us letting tears fall down our faces.
“It’s so good to see you. I’ve missed you so much,” I say, squeezing her tight.
“You too! I can’t believe you’re actually here.”
She helps me with the carry-on I brought on the plane, and we head to her car, getting ready for our trip back to Warroad.
“God, I’m just in shock right now. It’s been too long,” she says as she gets on the freeway.
“It has. How have you been?”
“Not much has changed here. The second round of kids is happening with our friends, and we even have our first divorce. But even we knew back in high school that Eric was gay, so that’s no surprise.”
“He finally came out?”
“Yup. Shelly acted all surprised, but she must have been in blind denial if she never knew. The new gossip is that he’s dating Max, though.” She eyes me in amazement.
“No!” I say in disbelief. “The quarterback from the year before us?”
“That’s the one! He’s dated just about every single girl in town, but now we know why none ever lasted.”
“Well, good for them. Everyone deserves to find their special someone.”
“What about you then? Have you found that special someone?”
I sigh, dropping my head back. When we spoke on the phone, I didn’t tell her anything about what was really going on. I knew I’d have to, but the thought fills my eyes with tears.
“Oh, Evangie,” she calls me by the nickname she always has. “What’s going on?”
“It’s almost so unbelievable it’s hard for even me to fathom.”
“You can tell me. You know I’m here.”
“I know. It’s Carter,” I admit and she swerves the car, over-correcting to the other side, and I grip the door handle when she steadies the vehicle back to a straight line.
“How did he find you? Or, holy shit, did you contact him?”
“Well—”
She interrupts, “He’s looked everywhere for you, for many years.”
