“I didn’t really know what to do with it, and honestly, I thought he was lying. But today I had to go into his office and into a secret little drawer, and I found a little lockbox, and it literally holds every single big major memory we have together. What do you think that means?” I ask, feeling completely exasperated.
“If I had to guess, it means my brother is still hopelessly in love with you.” Her gaze is soft, and I know she’s right.
“Did he ever date anybody after me?” I don’t really know if I even want to know the answer. I’ve obviously dated, so I can’t hold it against him. But the thought of him being with somebody else feels like a knife through my chest.
“He’s never brought anybody home, talked about anyone. This is a small town; if there had been something going on, it would have gone through the rumor mill.”
“Would it be crazy if I still had feelings for him?”
“No. It would be crazy if you didn’t, you guys are Weston and Willow. I don’t think there’s ever been a more famous couple from this town. Everyone thought you guys were it for each other.”
“I’m not sure I can truly forgive him; he broke my heart. t. How do I get over that?”
“I’d love to be able to answer that for you, babe. I will tell you this, I don’t think he’d make the same mistake twice.”
Weston has alluded to the same thing himself, and I believe him. More than that, I want to be his again. I want him to be mine. More than all of that, I want this ache in my heart to stop, and the only person who can do that is the person who broke it in the first place.
Chapter 29
Willow
Istare blankly at my computer this morning, thinking over the conversation I had with Aspen yesterday, when my phone rings, I pick it up, and see a number I don’t recognize.
Answering, I bring it to my ear, “This is Willow.”
“Hi Willow, I am a nurse here at the hospital in Windy Peaks. Your grandfather, Vern, is here. You were one of his emergency contacts, and we were wondering if you were in the area and if you could head this way?” The woman's voice is calm, the polar opposite of what her words have done to me.
“Yeah, I can be right there. Is he okay?” I stand up from the chair, grabbing my purse.
“He’s being evaluated right now; it’s looking like he potentially had a heart attack. We should know more upon your arrival.”
“Okay, I will be right there.” The second the call ends, I run to the truck as fast as my legs will let me. My hands shake as I fumble with the key, trying to put it in the ignition, tears blurring my vision.
I won’t believe he’s okay until I see it with my own eyes. He’s all I have left in this world. The only person who has ever chosen me, and the thought of him not being okay, makes my heart feel like it’s being torn apart.
When I turned the key over in the ignition, the engine made a rumbling sound. This truck is older than I am; hell, it’s probably olderthan Jack, and sometimes it takes a few times to get going. I try again and again and again, no luck, no sound of the engine roaring to life.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck. Why today?” I say, as I angrily slap my hand against the steering wheel, my breath coming in quick, heavy pants.
My head sinks into my hands as tears stream down my face. I can feel the panic taking over, all sense of logic and rational thinking is out the window.
Reaching over the cab, I pull my phone out of my purse and search for Aspen’s contact. I click on the call option and press it to my ear. Aspen’s voice comes over the speaker, but unfortunately, it’s her voicemail. Why today of all days is this woman not answering her phone? She’s supposed to be off work today.
I go back to my contacts and click on Weston’s contact. He picks up after the first ring. “Are you on your way to the hospital?” He spits the words out so quickly, I have to take a second to process them.
“No, the stupid truck won’t start, and I couldn’t get a hold of Aspen, and I really need to get there, West.” My voice cracks as emotion floods through me.
“Okay, I was already on my way to you. I’ll be there in about three minutes.”
“Thank you, I’m sorry.” I feel bad for taking more time out of his day. He’s constantly having to switch things up for me.
“Don’t be. I was on my way to you the second I got the call.”
Confusion halts my panic attack, and I’m grateful, but so very lost. “How did you know he was there? I just got the call.”
“Well, when you moved away, he needed a new emergency contact that could, you know, be local, so he put me down.” He says the words slowly, as if he’s walking on eggshells.
An overwhelming feeling blooms in my chest. “You’ve been my grandpa’s emergency contact while I’ve been away?”
