“Yes! He needs to finally live his life.” She turns to him and says, “And stop using me as an excuse not to take the next step. I saw that fine ring you have hidden in your sock drawer. I was there when you picked it out. Ask that girl to marry you already, or she will walk away. And then what? I won’t be there to pick up your sorry ass like I used to.”
“And she has one more message for you,” I smile. “Chelsey, maybe don’t listen for the next few seconds, or I might ruin a surprise.” Chelsey widens her eyes but covers her ears, making me grin and Tally snicker.
Brad looks at me, wiping away his tears with the sleeve of his sweater.
“She says you should ask Chelsey to marry you. She knows you have the ring. She helped you pick it. And she won’t stand for you using her as an excuse not to marry the love of your life.She likes her. She thinks Chelsey is the best girlfriend you ever had. She wants you to marry her and be happy.”
“Damn, Isa.” He laughs a watery laugh and wipes away the remaining tears from his eyes. “Still bossing me around from the afterlife.”
Chelsey cautiously uncovers her ears and looks at Brad, puzzled. “What’s going on? What did she say?” she asks, her eyes wide with curiosity.
“You’ll find out soon enough.” He smiles at her, grabbing her hand.
As Brad leans in to kiss Chelsey, Isabelle has a satisfied smile on her face. She looks at me and appreciatively nods before she vanishes.
Tally’s eyes meet mine, a silent question in their depths.
Am I okay?
It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
I am. I really am okay.
TWELVE
The locker roomis abuzz with chatter and the sounds of wet clothes being peeled off. We’ve all just returned from the boats after a long, exhausting day getting in cages, and Mother Nature decided to rain all over us. It’s not as bone-chillingly cold as it was a few weeks ago, but the rain has a way of seeping into your bones, making it feel colder than it really is.
I’m fumbling with my locker, trying to open it with cold, clumsy fingers. Thoughts of Sloan fill my mind as I search for the extra hoodie I brought.
She must be freezing in that damn van.
I hate that she’s back in there.
Back to being alone.
Just as alone as I am. I still couldn’t bring myself to wash the pillowcase Sloan laid on when she slept in my bed. The faint smell of Piña Colada lingers, and I ache to drown in it.
But it’s just a faint wisp now, a distant memory.
And I have to do everything I can to ensure she doesn’t become just a memory too.
I’m a total asshole. I should have never listened to North. I should have never let him decide for me. I know I was a coward. I chose his recognition over her.
Stupid, so damn stupid.
The moment I realized she wasn’t lying, what I had already suspected, to be honest, there were enough instances where I caught her smiling or talking to air. It hit me like a ton of bricks.
I’m in love with her.
Not just catching feelings, not just liking her as a friend.Love. I fuckingloveher. It’s something I’ve never felt for anyone before. It gutted me and changed my DNA, only for her to walk out on me.
Correction. For us to push her out.
We did this, and I didn’t do a damn thing to stop it.
I would do everything differently now if I could. I would stand up against North. I would rush down the steps and help her up. I would walk away with her and let her explain.
Would have, could have.
