Laughter ripples through the group. Saylor and Audrey are back in the sand, this time with other recruits as they play another game, but I can’t take my eyes off my boyfriend. He looks relaxed tonight, offering smiles easily. He’s fully present, and he looks…happy. A far cry from the man I ran into months ago.
He catches me looking and winks as he takes a pull of his beer. I tuck my head, hiding the blush heating my cheeks as I listen to Davis recount one of our childhood memories.
As the sky deepens toward dusk and the volleyball game winds down, the girls collapse in the sand, both breathless and holding their bellies as they laugh. Levi groans about the end of summer and school starting, which means back to a routine and schedule he has to manage as a single father.
“You know I can help whenever I can. Send me your schedules, and I’ll adjust my work schedule to pick up the slack.”
“You’re a lifesaver, G.”
I turn toward Levi. “We’re always here to help, too.”
The sound of a phone ringing interrupts our conversation. Heath digs into his pocket and checks the screen. Whatever he reads changes everything about him.
His brow furrows as his smile drops. He stands without a word and walks away before answering.
“What the hell was that?” Jett asks as we all watch.
“Work?” Greer asks.
Levi shakes his head. “He’s not on call. I would’ve got something if they were calling us in.”
I glance over again, but he’s not there. Scanning the space, I find Heath’s retreating as he jogs down the stairs toward the parking lot without saying goodbye.
“I’ll check on him later,” Davis says.
The conversation slowly resumes, but the air has shifted. Jett leaves his spot, moving to sit in the space beside me. I rest my head on his shoulder, breathing in his mint and vanilla scent. The smell of cigarettes nowhere to be found.
Tonight, we’re here together. And maybe that’s all we’re ever promised, thenow.
I glance around at the people who carry us through every version of ourselves.
Leaning into Jett’s warmth, I admire the love we fought our way back to.
I spent so long believing the scars of yesterday would define me. That they’d follow me forever like ghosts I could never outrun.
But sitting here, surrounded by the people who never stopped loving me,even though I gave them ample opportunities, I finally understand something else.
Scars don’t only mark what broke us.
Sometimes, they prove we survived it.
Those scars no longer own me.
Not when I have everything I wished for.
Epilogue
Wren
Two Months Later
ThedayI’vebeenwaiting for is finally here. Two weeks ago, Tom and his team finished the renovations on the old barn, and after passing county inspections, we’re ready to host. So today, we are celebrating with a vendor expo. There’s no better way to welcome a new event center than by having a party with vendors from all over the tri-county area who specialize in weddings and events.
Standing off to the side, I admire the warm light pouring in from every corner, welcoming the early fall sunlight. Booths line the dining and dance floors, offering opportunities for attendees to learn about different floral arrangements, taste bakery samples, and admire calligraphy on handmade signs and invitations.
I take a few moments for myself, admiring the transformation. The bones of our one-hundred-year-old barn are still here but revitalized with new rustic-modern touches for generations to come.
I rap my knuckles on a century-old beam as I pass by, stepping over the threshold from a side hallway into the main space.
