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It’s just after one in the morning when Tessa bows out. “It’s been fun, but we still have some packing to do tomorrow before we hit the road.” She stands, and Nixon follows her. She gives Reese a hug and waves to us as they head upstairs.
“You ready?” Reese asks Hunter.
“Wait. Where are you going?”
“Home.”
“You’re not staying here?” Through my alcohol-fogged brain, I know that I already knew that she wouldn’t be in my bed, not with Hunter by her side. I guess I had hoped that he would leave and she would stay. Like old times.
“No.” Her reply is soft, and is that regret I hear?
“You’ve been drinking.”
“She has. I haven’t. No way I would risk her or me, or anyone else for that matter,” Hunter says. His voice is calm with his reply, but it screams sincerity.
“I’m leaving in the morning.”
“I know.” Reese looks down at her lap.
“Will I see you before I go?” This is fucked up. Her boyfriend is standing here, and I’m pleading with her, but I can’t seem to help myself.
“What time are you leaving?”
“Sometime before noon. Maybe we can get breakfast. You know, just the two of us for old times’ sake?” I toss that out there. I don’t want my last minutes with her to be filled with Hunter’s hands all over her.
“Sure. I’ll text you.”
“Just come by. When you’re up and ready, I’ll be ready.”
“You sure about that?” She gives me a teasing look to match her tone.
“I’m positive.” No matter the alcohol coursing through my veins, my mind still knows that I’m leaving her tomorrow. Every trip I’ve ever made home since we came to CU, she’s been with me. Life is changing rapidly, and I hate it. I just… need some time with her before I go. I need to make sure we’re on the same page. That no matter the distance, she’s still my best friend and the most important person in my life. I’ve let this divide between us take root, but I’m fucking chopping that shit down. It ends now.
“Okay. See you tomorrow, Coop.” She stands, as does Hunter. With a wave to the room, they leave quietly.
“You good?” Dustin asks.
“Nope,” I admit. I’m sure if I weren’t buzzed, I would never have spoken the truth, but I can’t seem to fight it right now.
“Didn’t think so.” Dustin empties off his beer and sets the bottle on the table. “Want to talk about it?”
“Nope.”
“Didn’t think so.” He stands and stretches. “When you do, you know how to reach me. I’ll see you before you leave tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I’ll make sure I say goodbye.”
“Good.” He claps me on the shoulder as he passes by me to head to his room in the basement.
I sit here for hours, just staring off into the distance. This is supposed to be the happiest time of my life. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration. It was, but it was also a huge reality check for me. I’m leaving her. I knew this day was coming, but it’s just finally hit me. I can’t call her and ask her to lunch. I won’t get to see her every day in the flesh. I knew it was going to be hard, but this… this vise squeezing my chest. I didn’t expect that.I slept like hell. As soon as the sun began to peek through the blinds, I was up and moving. I downed two bottles of water, and some Tylenol, took a shower, and finished packing my shit. I’m grumpy as hell, and there is no need for me to try and figure out why. I know why.
Just after ten, the front door opens. I turn to see Reese walking in. “Hey, you.” She smiles, and it’s her happy smile.
“Hi. You hungry?”
“Starving, actually. I slept in a little.”
Did he stay with her? I mean, of course he did, right? She’s his girlfriend and she’s Reese. She’s a fucking knockout. Of course he stayed over. I clench my fists. “I’m ready when you are.” I stand and shove my hands in my pockets.
“You driving?” she asks, tossing her keys in the air toward me.
I have to scramble to pull my hands from my pockets to catch them. “You know it.” In two steps, I’m standing next to her. I place my hand on the small of her back and lead her out to her car. “I was thinking we could go to that little diner the next town over? Maybe hopefully try to avoid being recognized.” I don’t want to be recognized, but also, I don’t want any of our friends or her boyfriend crashing our time together. This is it for a while, and I need my Reese time.
“Sure. I’ve got nothing going on today.”
“You plan on coming home to visit your parents anytime soon?” Like before I leave for Indy.
