Page 66 of Falling For Alaska

It was here all along, waiting for me to find my way back.

Chapter Twenty-Three

JACK

“How come you’re not coming back to Minneapolis?” my mom shouts through the phone. “Your sisters are here, your work is here, what did they do to you over there? Is this some kind of spell those barn folks cast on city people?” I suppress a laugh because, unlike Jared, who can literally hear my mom yelling from across the room, I know she’s genuinely worried about me. I’m a bit tired ‘cause I’ve already had Captain Raines on the phone to tell him the news and he wasn’t so thrilled about it.

“Mom…n-nothing like that,” I say, shaking my head. “Life’s good here. I’ve made f-friends, work’s solid, and,” I clear my throat bracing for impact, “and…I met s-s-someone.” There’s a long beat as she processes the bomb I just dropped.

“Oh.” Her voice is softer now, cautious. She’s never properly met anyone I’ve dated, probably because I never really considered anyone my woman before.

“What is she—how is—what does she—” She stumbles over her words, and I can practically see her gripping the phone, trying to figure out the right question.

“Her n-name’s Alaska. She owns a b-nookshop. You’ll love her.”

Mom clears her throat. “Maybe…we could come visit next month?”

“Next month, yeah,” I say, a slow smile tugging at my lips. “I’d l-love that.”

We aren't as close as she is with my sisters, but maybe with time, things will get better. And once she sees the life Alaska and I are building, I hope she’ll be thrilled.

“I g-gotta go, Mom, but we’ll talk soon.”

“Bye, honey, be safe, alright?” she urges me.

I roll my eyes but can’t help smiling ‘cause even at thirty years old, my mom still talks to me like a teenager.

“You too m-mom,” I tell her before ending the call. Jared kicks his feet up on his desk, eyeing me with a smirk.

“So, this is getting real serious now.”

I nod, grabbing my jacket as my phone buzzes with a text from Alaska.

Alaska

Waiting for you at home around seven.

I reply instantly, my heart skipping a beat at the thought of home, the life we might be building together.

Me

I’m leaving the office now. See you soon, sweetheart.

Jared scoffs, pointing at me. “Come on.”

“What?”

“That look on your face. Is this a permanent thing now?” He scowls, but I can see the amusement beneath it. Was I smiling at my phone like an idiot? I sling my jacket over my shoulder, shaking my head. “Don’t worry t-too much, man, my stern self is still very much here.”

Jared leans back in his chair, arms crossed. “Oh, I’m not worried, I'll be there to remind you what a manly man looks like.” I flip him off on my way to the door with a grin.

He just laughs. “Ah, come on, get out of here, lover boy.”

I step outside, the evening air biting at my skin. The calm of Lakeside hums around me as I get in my car and drive to Alaska’s. To the only place on this earth I’d rather be.

There was a time when I thought peace wasn’t meant for me. That my stutter was just part of who I was, something I had to carry, something I couldn’t shake. Lakeside softened me in ways I didn’t expect. The stillness, the way life moves at its own unhurried pace, gave me room to breathe.

By the time I pull into her driveway, the porch light glows softly, a golden hue over the front steps. Through the window, I see her silhouette standing in the kitchen. I raise my hand to knock, then pause, feeling the weight of something in my pocket. I reach in, my fingers close around the cool metal of her backup keys. I forgot to give them back to her. Isn’t it ironic how happiness was here all along, right in the palm of my hand? I just had to be brave enough to hold onto it. The door swings open on my Alaska, with that disarming smile that never fails to steal the breath from my lungs.