“I’m well, thank you. Listen, Mackenzie, I have some bad news. Our board has lost essential funding and we have to cut positions and condense classrooms. Since you were one of the last teachers hired, I’m afraid your job is the first one we have to let go. I’m so sorry this is late in the summer, but just how the school world works, unfortunately.”
I’m momentarily speechless. When he tells me I won’t have a job, my first feeling isn’t sadness. It’s relief. This is it—my chance to… What? Break up with the only person I’ve ever loved? Start over at home? The temporary relief is gone and in its place is uncertainty.
“I understand. Thank you for letting me know, Mr. Goff.”
“I am truly sorry. I wish you best of luck in your job search.”
I don’t say goodbye as I hang up the phone. My thumb hovers over the one person I want to talk this through with.
It’s not my boyfriend or Reagan.
And it all becomes clear.
I know what I need to do.
CHAPTER
TEN
MACKENZIE
Today is the day, and I feel like I’m crawling out of my skin. In the last few weeks, I’ve made plans for my future, and it’s time to put them into motion.
I’ve been keeping secrets.
A lot of secrets.
I didn’t sleep last night, worry and anxiety flooding me as I went through every worst-case scenario that could happen when I see Trey today. Luckily, my parents are in the backyard weeding their garden, so I feel safer here. In what world would I ever have to worry about being safe with Trey? Apparently, this one. The thought saddens me, but it confirms I’m making the right decision. Hopefully, he sees it the same way.
I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand as I finish emptying the contents of my stomach. As I wash my hands and look in the mirror, I’m unrecognizable. Dark circles shadow my face, and my eyes are red-rimmed. I’m exhausted—physically and mentally.
I look horrible.
My palms sweat as I rub them down my jeans. I just threw up, and I feel another wave of nausea rolls through me. It’s not the hulking hockey player that scares me; it’s the twisted, toxic mind that manipulates me and guilts me back into his arms. Tears sting my eyes, and shame fills in the cracks between the fear.
My front door swings open, and I freeze. I hear him call my name and whisper a silent prayer, then put on a brave face and walk into the living room.
“Kenzie.” I can’t tell if he’s happy to see me or not. He smiles, but his eyes aren’t in it. A dark countenance overshadows any light he used to have.
“Hey, Trey.” That’s all I can manage as my limbs are starting to shake with fear and anticipation.
Bracing for the worst, I tense slightly. The emotional rollercoaster we’ve been on for the last year has taken its toll and I’m ready to get off this ride. Before I can think, the words spill out, “I’m not going back to California with you.”
“Say that again because I know I didn’t hear you correctly when you said you weren’t coming home with me.” His face hardens. While it typically would cause me to backpedal, it lights a fire deep inside me—anger at this man who claims to love me.
I don’t know where it comes from, but without an ounce of fear, I speak my truth. “Trey, I’m not going back to California.” As the words leave me, I see him take a step closer and a flicker of nerves spark inside. I keep telling myself Trey would never physically hurt me, but at this point, I don’t know.
“Yes, you are. You have a job there. I’m buying a house. We’re starting the next chapter.” His hands fist at his sides, knuckles white with seething anger.
I take a lungful of air before spilling one of the secrets I’ve been keeping. “The school board cut positions, and mine was one of them.”
He does the last thing I expect, he laughs. Not a little chuckle—full-on, belly laugher. I stand there and watch him until he comes to an abrupt stop. Darkness sweeps over his once-beautiful grey eyes, like a storm is brewing.
“You’re serious?”
“Yes.” His perfect mask slips and I see a moment, I see vulnerability and the face of the boy I loved—who became the man I don’t recognize.
“What are you going to do? Are you staying home?” He peppers me with questions, and I don’t want to answer any of them. I stand quietly, looking down at my feet. His raised voice startles me. “Answer me!”
