“Matter of fact,Harpoone, I do.” She didn’t specify whichfriend, just stood up and grabbed a box. “If you fuckers will follow me!” Lena made her trek towards the door and waited for us to grab a box and follow her.
It didn’t take long to finish loading up the truck. Walking back into the empty apartment was so sad. She was really going. This fucking sucked. I feel like I have lost everything, or was in the process of it.
What was I going to do when it was Wren’s turn to move out, or when she became too busy with my brother to remember I existed? I could feel myself start to spiral when Wren pulled me from my thoughts. She wrapped an arm over my shoulder before she asked Lena an excellent question.
“Le, where are you sleeping tonight?” Wren asked at the perfect time because Lena was too tired to deflect and just answered the question.
“At Dax’s. Why?” She went from lying on the bare floor to standing within a matter of seconds. Wren gasped, and I threw a hand over my mouth. “Please tell me I didn’t just say that out loud.” Her hands covered her face.
“WHAT?” Wren was shocked. Flabbergasted. Stunned. “Why the fuck is this the first time I am hearing of this?”
Lena uncovered one eye and huffed, “Because you weren’t supposed to know. With me leaving, we decided not to say anything.”
I laughed. Far too loud for far too long. “What the fuck, Lena? Why wouldn’t you tell us! It’s us, girl, come on.”
“I can tell you now because after I get to Portland, we are done.” Now I understand the real reason for her tears. Her eyes glistened in the dimmed light. “Come sit with me for one last girlie chat in this living room.”
Wren gave a weak smile and then sat first. I sat next to Wren and Lena in front of us as she explained. “It was during that bonfire at the start of last summer that we had. You guys remember?” We nodded in unison. “Wren, when you left to getfucked in the woods, Dax and I exchanged numbers.” Her smile softened, turning almost shy.
“He told me the first impression I made was everything he’d ever wanted. That I was confident. Independent. That I knew who I was. And he said he didn’t want to change any of that—not even a little. He just wanted to be with me as I was.”
She was glowing as she told us, like she were reliving the moment all over again.
“I said no to him and explained that I was worried the thirteen-year age gap would leave us with nothing in common. I couldn’t have been more wrong. We texted for a few days, then those turned into calls and video calls. Eventually, I agreed to a date, and the rest is history.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “Guys. I am so in love with him. Like, I don’t think I have ever loved or been loved like this. He is everything to me. I know it’s been like what? A little over a year, but the man knows what he wants. Perks of him being thirty-nine, I guess.”
I was smiling so hard I had to rub the ache out of my cheek. “Lena, I wish you had told us. I’m so happy for you. I love Dax, and I definitely could picture you two together. Are you sure you want to go? Or break things off? Isn’t that like the opposite thing you're supposed to do in these situations?”
Wren hit my arm and shot a glare. “What Harper means to say is we are so happy for you, and we know you probably weighed the options for a long time. We are so proud of you for following your dreams, Le.”
Lena laughed through her tears. “I don’t know. I want to do what I have been working towards for the past few years. Being a hair and makeup artist on the set of a movie is such a rare opportunity bu–”
I didn’t let her finish. “Lena, so is what you have with Dax. At least give a long-distance relationship a try. I think if you brought it up, you would be surprised at the outcome.”
Wren gave a shrug as a sign that she agreed. Lena sighed, “Ifit were up to me, I would just stay or even try the long-distance thing. I’d marry the idiot and have five hundred kids with him. But it’s not just my choice. Dax wants me to go. He doesn’t want to be the reason I give up my dreams. He told me he loves me, but once I am gone, we are done because I deserve to be happy, and he worries if I meet someone who makes me happier than he does, side note, not possible, then I should be free to be with them. If you love something, set it free, or so he says.”
Wren huffed. “Well, fuck. So, this is it. Your last night together before the move?”
Lena smiled, but she didn’t meet her eyes. “Yup. So, whenever you guys go, I’ll head over there. This is actually my first time going over there. We wanted to keep everything private, and with him and your boyfriend living together, that would’ve been kind of hard.”
I reached out my hand and rested it on her knee. “We get it, Lena. Let’s say our goodbyes so you can be with the man you love. I am happy for you, but heartbroken at the same time. I love you so much. Don’t forget about us when you’re rich and famous.” I stood and pulled her up into an embrace.
As I hugged her one last time, we all cried together. Wren held Lena after I pulled away and whispered something in her ear that I couldn’t quite make out. We said our final goodbyes and walked out of the apartment for the last time.
12
HARPER
That was the hardest goodbye I have had since we left my mom. I knew eventually Lena would come back to Sawyers Cove, or at least I hoped, but this wasn’t easy for me. It was like losing a piece of myself.
Our next stop was my house. The email I sent last night instructed them to use the spare key to get inside and assess the damage. Tucker responded, saying they’d be at the house sometime in the afternoon. He told me he would email or text me the price they decided on, what was going on in the house, and how they were going to fix it. From previous conversations, he knew I preferred having everything in writing.
I hadn’t even realized we drove in complete silence until we got to my house. I put the car in park, rested my forehead on the steering wheel, and let out a sigh. I heard Wren undo her seatbelt and shift in her seat.
“I’m sure it’s not as bad as you remember, Harp. It’ll be okay.” I turned to face her and greeted her sad smile with a smile of my own.
“You’re about to see how wrong you are.” I unbuckled myseatbelt and hopped out of my Wrangler. I looked up at the roof that was now covered in several blue tarps. I didn’t even consider doing that, glad I called him.
Wren came around the front of the car. She was using her hand to shield her eyes from the sun behind me. Summer turning into fall was the best. I think September was one of my favorite months. The sun would be starting to set soon, so we headed inside so that we could make it back to Wren’s before dark. Ihateddriving in the dark.
