Maybe down the line, he’d even consider moving here permanently.
He seems close to his parents, and they’ll be here, so it’s not outside the realm of possibility.
“A great question,” Willow says.“It sounds like the two of you need to have a conversation before he leaves.”
We really do.
As a matter of fact, I’m going to ask her to drive me over there right now so we can figure things out.
All I have to do is get myself off this couch.
Simple.Easy.
What are these cushions made of?Quicksand?Every time I try to move, I sink a little deeper.“Why is your couch so comfy?”
I let my eyes fall closed, and Willow’s laughter slowly fades.
Too many gins.Curse the ferry gods.Not enough time.So,sotired.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
ETHAN
I knewthat leaving Chloe would get to me, but I honestly didn’t think it’d hurt this much.
I dragged myself home last night from the Sand Dollar, feeling as if I just slugged myself in the chest with my own hammer.How did things go south so damn fast that we couldn’t spend my last couple of days in Inner Shores together?
Frat Boy Steve.That’s how.
Thanks for ruining my last few hours with her, jackass.
Guilt presses on my sternum as I stare at the dawn light leaking through the shutters of my room at Mom and Dad’s.It’s not Steve’s fault I live in Philly, and I’ve got no right to try to take Chloe away from him anyway.It’s only a matter of time before he, or some other lucky bastard, wins her heart.
Still, the second I stepped out of that bar last night, my hands were itching to drag her away from him and pull her back to me.To make her laugh.To bring that real smile to her face.
But even if I could, what would be the point?It’d only prolong the torture.
So I came back to the house, heated up a frozen pizza, and sat outside in the breeze with Kat, waiting for Chloe to come home so we could talk.
I’m kind of proud that I didn’t rush back to the bar to wrench Steve’s hands off her, or try to convince her to spend the evening with me instead.The part of me that used to think I had to have a hand in everything, to steer it in the direction I want it to go, feels like it’s weakened somehow.
If there’s anything Chloe’s taught me these past few weeks, it’s that some things can’t be steered.
Especially her.
But that didn’t mean I didn’t sit up late, hoping I could catch her for a talk.
There are so many fucking things left unsaid between us.
I’m sorry for what I said at Mugs.
I don’t want this to be the end.
But I never heard a car pull up outside or even saw her lights switch on.
Every hour that passed left me sinking lower in my chair.When there was still no sign of her after midnight, I forced myself into bed.
As I laid there, still hoping my phone woulddingwith a message from her, I imagined her with Steve.Laughing out loud, her blue eyes shining; leaning in to rest her cheek on his shoulder, the same way she had with mine.Curling an arm around his back, her thumb stroking up and down his side, just like it had on me.
