AllFreeNovel
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I reach up, moving to wipe a tear from her cheek, my heart pounding.
She’s scared.
She’s terrified, even. Not just because our history is so messy, our shared experiences so skewed, but because she feels vulnerable. She tries to show everyone she’s strong and that everything bounces right off of her, but I know Stella. She’s soft, delicate. A beautiful flower I don’t want to see wilt again. I need to show her how much she means to me, to remind her of who we are and why we’re worth fighting for.
I only have one more thing to show her.
“Go away with me,” I whisper. Beg, really.
“What?”
“A weekend. Just for a few days. We’ll drive. I… I have somewhere I want to show you.” Her face goes soft, but her words hold argument.
“Riggs, we have so much to figure out, it isn’t the best–”
“A weekend. If we don’t figure out how to move on together after, I’ll let you go. I’ll let you be free, live your life.” She stares at me for long, long moments, and I panic. I wonder if this is it, if we’re done, and if she’s going to end things once and for all.
“Okay,” she finally whispers, and her star lights up my sky once more.
45 ALL MY LOVE
NOW
STELLA
The silence in the car is deafening, but my mind never quiets. In my lap is a box, heavy and laden with postcards. Some battered and bruised, clearly having gone through the mail, all dated and signed. The most recent was just a month ago. As he drives, I flip through hundreds—hundreds–of postcards Riggins wrote but never sent, one for every stop of every tour Atlas Oaks went on over the last seven years.
Stell—
We’re in Texas today, and it’s hot as fuck. I guess it’s better than being in Jersey. Says it snowed there. I hope you didn’t have to shovel your walk and that you have someone to do it for you.
All my love,
Riggs
Stella—
Remember when you told me you thought Paris would be boring? You were so wrong. You’d love it here. Lots to do and see. And, of course, lots of bakeries. I hope you make it here one day.
All my love,
Riggs.
Little Star?—
I wrote for the first time today, and I wasn’t angry. I guess that feels like a win, even though it’ll never see the light of day. All my songs fucking suck without you.
All my love,
Riggins.
Stell—
It’s raining today.
I miss you.
I’m sorry.
