Page 11 of Not Until I Found You

“I already quit.”

Ashton’s head jerks toward the phone. The truck drifts toward the center line before he corrects it with a sharp jerk of the wheel. I briefly consider suggesting he pull over so they can continue this conversation in private, but before I can figure out how to say it without making things weird, Ashton blurts, “You what?”

“I quit.”

“Maxinne—”

“I’m not staying somewhere I’m miserable only because it’s convenient.”

The tears are gone from her voice. A few moments ago, she sounded like she was barely holding herself together. Now her words land sharp, and the certainty in her tone leaves no room for argument.

“I’m going to use the money I’ve been saving for the wedding to survive off of until I go back to college in August.” She sniffles. “I’ll be fine. I shouldn’t have called. I⁠—”

“Yes, you should’ve,” he snaps, but there’s more fear than disappointment in his tone. “I can come up there and help you figure something out.”

“What about Dad? You have to be there for him,” she adds.

Ashton falls silent, the weight of that truth sinking heavy in the cab of his truck. I glance over at him. He’s been running himself ragged, trying to keep the homestead together. Meanwhile, his sister is sleeping on someone else’s couch and is about to be rebuilding her life from scratch. An idea hits me, and it seems so obvious that I’m surprised neither of them has said it yet.

As we pull up to a red light, I nudge Ashton with my elbow, catching his attention, and mouth, “Tell her to come here.” He blinks at me, appearing confused, so I repeat it, slower this time. “Tell her to come here.”

Recognition sparks in his eyes and I swear I see a little glimmer of hope in his eyes. Ashton exhales, still watching me like he’s unsure whether the idea will land with her or blow up in his face. Then, he clears his throat.

“I have an idea.”

It’s totally not his idea, but okay.

Maxinne is quiet for a second before she replies, “Okay…”

“What if you came here for a while?”

Even through the speakers, I can hear her breath catch. “What?”

“Just for the summer, until your classes start,” he adds quickly. “You could stay at my cabin since I’ve been staying at Dad’s. You’d said you wished you could help out.”

She’s quiet, and I peer over at his truck’s screen to make sure the call wasn’t disconnected. The seconds tick by until Ashton continues.

“And you could use this time to regroup and figure things out. You wouldn’t have to crash on Piper’s couch or tiptoe around Mom.”

“I— Ash, I don’t know…”

“You know I hate asking for help, but I really could use it this summer.” His voice softens in a way I’ve never heard before.

There’s a beat of silence, and then Maxinne speaks again. “Would Dad even want my help?”

“I think he’d like the opportunity to make things right between the two of you,” Ashton says.

She sighs. “Okay. I’ll think about it.”

“Good.” Ashton’s shoulders drop an inch. “Just let me know.”

They talk a little longer, the tension slowly bleeding out of the truck as the conversation shifts and ends on a promise to call each other later. Ashton leans back against his seat, his fingers raking through his hair. He doesn’t say anything right away, and neither do I.

There was something about the way Maxinne’s voice cracked through the speakers that sort of stuck with me. It wasn’t only the heartbreak I heard but the way she tried to hold herself together, even while unraveling. I can relate because I’ve been there before.

Ashton glances at me, a small grin tugging on his lips. “Thanks, man.”

I shrug, trying to play it off. “What are friends for?”