I frowned and turned to look at him. My heart raced from the words. I had expected as much. Or maybe it had been hope? Either way, I knew Weston felt for me what I felt for him. Regardless of everything going on.
“Why are you apologizing?” I wondered. “Only apologize if you don’t mean it.”
The moon shone through the cracks in the bedroom curtains. Light pooled around Weston’s face, showing me a clear view of his profile in the nearly dark room. His hair was tousled and skin red from our workout. He looked irresistible.
“Of course, I mean it.” He pressed his lips against my forehead. “I’d never dream of saying it if I didn’t.”
“Then don’t apologize,” I told him with a small smile.
“It’s not fair of me,” he confessed. “To say it, knowing that I’m leaving soon. It’s cliche. I don’t want you to think I’m manipulating you.”
“Weston, you’re not capable of manipulation,” I said in a low voice. Even though we were already alone, it felt good to whisper. Talking low made me feel like this moment would forever be stuck in time. Maybe if we spoke low enough, time would forget about us, pausing so we could enjoy each other.
“Maybe not,” he whispered. “Still. I want you to know that I’m not saying it because I want you to rearrange your life. I don’t want you to wait. I don’t want you to come with me. You deserve more than that. You’ll get it.”
I quickly brushed away a few tears that fell onto my cheek. Weston helped by kissing the drops away. I smiled as he did. “I promise not to wait, if you promise to stop offering every part of yourself to everyone and leaving nothing for yourself. Weston, you don’t have to save people. You can just be.”
“Maybe,” he mumbled. “I’ll try, if you try.”
I nodded and moved closer so our noses touched. “Deal. And when you’re ready, come find me.”
“I told you not to wait,” he reminded me.
“I won’t,” I promised with a sad smile. “Still come to find me. I want to see what a stable Weston looks like. And you can see what a healthy Covee looks like. Okay? Because I promise, I’m going to get better. You are too. I want us both to be ready for each other next time.”
He was quiet for a moment. Just when I thought he wouldn’t answer, he replied, “Deal.”
Just like that, we sealed our fate. Goodbyes were brief with the promise - the hope - that separation was only temporary. And a reunion would include two better people. People who were ready for each other.
Chapter 39
When I wokeup on the last morning, I waited a few moments before opening my eyes. I knew I was alone. The sheets were cold when I moved my leg. There was no heavy arm around my waist. No soft breathing in my ear.
After a few deep breaths, I looked at the opposite side of the bed. My fingers gripped the empty sheets as I willed the tears in my eyes to not drop. A part of me hoped he’d change his mind last minute. His scent lingered on the pillow. It took every ounce of my body not to tug in close and cry into the cotton.
Instead, I pushed myself up and went to the shower. The house felt haunted without anyone to fill it with sound. As promised, Lawrence left a pair of keys on the counter. I ran over the list of things I needed to do before locking up.
Lawrence wanted me to burn our notes. Empty the fridge. Wipe down as many surfaces I could with Clorox wipes.
I had three hours before David and Dakota picked me up. In silence, I started my tasks. I was halfway through my list when my phone buzzed.
He didn’t want to wait?? This is wild
I frowned at Ari’s text and wrote back,How did you find out?
Have you seen the news??
My heart dropped. I hurried over to the living room and picked up the remote with a tissue. The screen clicked on. I flipped through the channels until I landed on a news station. They weren’t talking about anything of significance. I could still feel my heart pounding when I unlocked my phone to do a search on my phone.
Before I could type there was a knock at the door. I jumped and cursed at myself before carefully tiptoeing to see who it was.
“Have you seen this?” David asked once I opened the door. He held out his phone.
I shook my head, taking the outstretched phone to read the update.
“They weren’t supposed to take them off campus,” David said while pushing passed me towards the living.
University Football Coaches Reported Missing
