I hate that he was right.
Moving from room to room, I find something in each one, a memory tied to my parents, to my life here.
If I sell this house...I’d be letting go of a lifetime here.
And suddenly...everything becomes crystal clear.
My parents didn’t get to finish what they started. They didn’t get to grow old and gray. Their lives were cut short. But they fell in love, and they made a family. They built a beautiful life together. They made their lives worth something before they left this earth.
And what amIdoing?
I need to make my time count. I need to build a life worth living, not one filled with fear, and missed chances.
Ivori and Evan are such great friends. I’m lucky to have people like them.
Marie is still here, smiling through all the horrors she’s gone through.
Even Jayden was brave enough to cut off all her hair and admit what she truly wanted.
Then there’s Landon.
His handsome face is all I can see. He kick-started my heart, even after all this time. He’s in my blood, coursing throughout my entire being, pumping life back into me. For years, I’ve been so lost. So alone.
But I don’t have to be.
Not anymore.
For the first time in a long time, I know what I want to do.
Chapter 32
Ainsley
Senior Year
“Stop hogging the ball, Morgan.”
I spin around and get in Landon’s face, knocking my helmet against his. “And let you throw another turnover? No, thanks.”
“Fuck off.”
I lift my right hand and stick up my middle finger.
“Get into position,” Coach yells. “Get your head in the game, both of you!”
I jog into place just in time for the draw, and sprint to the middle of the field to scoop up the ball. My defender trails half a step behind me, unable to catch me. I lower my stick to the ground but Landon scoops it up instead.
“What the fuck,” I shout.
Landon takes the ball down to the goal, but he’s surrounded. Their defense is good. It’s been hell trying to score all game. But it’s the championship game. Everything is on the line. And I won’t let anything stand in my way of victory.
“I’m open!” I lift my stick and let him know he can pass the ball.
Landon glances at me.
Our eyes lock.
He spins around and takes a shot at the goal from a terrible angle. The ball ricochets off the pipe with a loud clang. The other team recovers the ball and takes it back down the field to our side.
