“We’re not back together, Nate,” she interrupts, soft as always, but final. “You know that.”
My chest tightens at her words, and I can’t keep my emotions from bubbling up to the surface, saying shit I shouldn’t. “Why not? You know I’m sorry about what happened. I mean, after everything, are you seriously still mad?”
She hugs her arms around herself, pressing her lips together. “I know it was a mistake. But that doesn’t change anything. And you don’t need this, Nate. Especially now.”
“Yes, I do,” I respond, too loud, panic coursing through my body at the thought of her leaving me again. “I needyou, Iris.”
Her posture changes at my tone, defensive now. “We’re not doing this tonight.”
“The hell we’re not,” I shoot back at her dismissiveness. “I’m tired of you acting like you don’t love me.”
She shakes her head, looking anywhere but me. “It doesn’t matter how I feel. You know how this town is, you know what they’d say. Everyone knows now, Nate.”
“I don’t give a damn what they’d say!” My voice cracks as the frustration boils over. “They’re not the ones losing you!”
“Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”
“Harder?” I laugh, humorless. “Feels like you’ve already made up your mind. Probably going to see your newboyfriendright now.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“You think I haven’t seen you with Holloway? You’re with him, aren’t you?”
Her eyes widen, but not like she’s been caught. And maybe I made a mistake there, because right now, she just looks offended. “Oh my God, Nate. Are you serious right now?”
I take a step toward her, desperate and doubling down. “Why else would you be so against giving me another chance?” Nothing can prepare me for what her next words are.
“I’m leaving Rosehill.”
“Huh?”
She looks away, blinking fast. “I can’t stay here, Nate. Not after everything. Everyone knows now. And they’re never going to let me forget it.”
The fight drains out of me. The anger, the jealousy, all crumbling under the weight of what she just said. “Iris—”
She shakes her head before I can reach for her. “I love you.” Her voice breaks on the word that’s supposed to mean somethinggood. “But I can’t stay here. It’s too hard.”
I stare at her, wide-eyed, mouth open to speak, but I don’t even know what to say.
She said she loves me.
She said she’s leaving.
“Goodnight, Nate.”
Her mind made up, she slips through the front door, not looking back once.
And standing there, watching her little green car pull out of my driveway, I know this isn’t just her leaving for the night.
Iris
When I pull into Ms. Price’s driveway, I sit in the driveway, staring at her house for way too long. The porch is faded from old paint, and a wild assortment of plants is growing up and around it.
I wouldn’t expect anything different.
The letter is open beside me, while my nerves flutter in my stomach. It’s been so long since I’ve seen Ms. Price.
I hope I haven’t let her down.
