“I told you. I came to check on you.”
I nod. “Well,” I turn around so she can take a good look, “as you can see, I’m perfectly fine.”
She smiles weakly and I sense pity behind her eyes. “Yeah. I can see that.” Her words leave me feeling wanting, as though she doesn’t mean them.
So, I continue. “Then you can report back to everyone that I’m fine and no one needs to jump through any more hoops to check on me. All right?”
“Okay.”
I blink. “So, you can go back to Cedar Brook Falls and live your life as planned.”
She nods.
“Sage, do you hear what I’m saying?”
“Yes. You’re trying to politely ask me to leave. But I already told you I’m not leaving. So, are you going to show a girl L.A. or what?”
20
Sage
I wasn’t prepared to see Casey with his shirt off and his hair dripping wet. I also wasn’t prepared for how different he looked. I couldn’t move, couldn’t think, could barely speak. So, when he left to get changed, I finally breathed out a sigh of relief.
Although I noticed his muscle loss and mentioned it to him, I didn’t say anything about the dark circles under his eyes or the gauntness of his cheeks.
It’s only been a few weeks, but Casey looks like he hasn’t eaten or slept in months. I unpack the food I brought and put the perishable items in the fridge. It is mostly empty with a jug of orange juice, a carton of eggs, and some yogurt inside.
Shortly after he returns, I realize he’s trying to get rid of me, but now that he’s opened the door and let me in, I won’t leave him.
I cock my hip onto the table and ask in the most platonic voice, “So, are you going to show a girl L.A. or what?”
He stares at me and I can see the struggle in his eyes. After a few seconds he drops his shoulders in surrender. “Let me grab some shoes.”
Genuinely excited, I clasp my hands together. “Ooh, I want to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame first. Do you know where that is?”
His mouth nearly hangs open from disgust. “Are you serious? Of course, I know where it is. Everyone in L.A. does and even most of the tourists.”
“Well then, it’s time I find out.”
We take the elevator down to the parking garage, and Casey walks up to this sleek black sports car. I’m not good with car make and models, but I can tell by the fact that the doors open above the roof that this vehicle costs more than Jane and I make in a year combined. Maybe even Charlotte.
Inside, the car is equally impressive. The black interior smells like a fine vintage leather jacket, and the stitching is better than anything my mother could have sewn.
I inhale deeply and smile.
“It still has that new car smell,” says Casey.
“Mmm… It reminds me of the Volkswagen bus my parents used to drive.”
Casey frowns and his eyebrows draw together. “Really?”
I laugh. “It doesn’t look anything like it, but the smell… I don’t know… it just brings me back.”
He pulls out of the parking space slowly, and when he finds the road empty, he presses on the gas, and we peel out into the West Coast sunshine.
Driving with the windows down, and the wind in my hair, I can’t help but smile. I catch Casey staring at me. “What?”
“I can’t believe you’re here.”
