Page 66 of Crossroads

“I have to leave in two days, Bodhi.”

I felt like the world fell beneath my feet, my chest aching, and I turned to her, not letting her go.

“Two days.”

“I have to go back to my life. I thought I was going to take this break to find myself or a place to live, and instead I started off by hiding.”

I leaned forward, cupped her unhurt cheek. “You found a place to heal. Though it still surprises me it was here.”

“You kept me safe.”

I scowled. “The bruises on your face say otherwise.”

“You did. You gave me time. You taught me how to stain furniture.”

“Because that’s going to help you so much in life.”

“You helped me laugh and figure out that it was okay to be weird and want to have everything and nothing. I don’t know. You just let me breathe, Bodhi.”

“You just needed space, Kiera. To figure out what you wanted. And I tried to give that to you.”

“And you have. You truly have. And I don’t want you to think that I’m not grateful.”

My stomach tensed. “I would never think you aren’t.”

“I just don’t know what we’re doing, Bodhi. I didn’t mean for this to happen. For me to fall for you. For you to fall for me.”

I shook my head and let out a breath. “I never want to hold you back. I don’t want to be the person who makes you think you have to stay. Or that leaving will tear us both apart. Because I know there has to be another answer.”

“And I never want you to feel like you can’t stay. This is your normal, Bodhi. You fought so hard to make it your own. Especially after your dad. Your family is here. They need you.”

“But I need you.” I ran my hand through her hair. “I need you. I never thought I’d need anyone else. I was so afraid to do that. Listen to me. I don’t say these fucking words, Kiera. You’re the one with the lyrics.”

“And you sing right along with me.”

“And you can never tell anyone else that. That’s just between us.”

“Always.” I looked into her eyes, and she kissed me softly, but neither one of us said a word for a moment.

“I don’t want to be the person who stands in the way of your family. But I also know I’m not a replacement.” She lifted her chin, and I cursed under my breath.

“You aren’t. Believe me, you aren’t.” I gripped her chin, careful of her wound. “You stood right by me at that gravesite, and you spoke to Courtney. I can’t erase my family, and I never want to. But they aren’t the ghosts that haunt me anymore. I can’t say I’ve moved on because those words feel like I’m erasing them.”

“And I don’t want you to do that. I promise you I don’t want to do that.”

“I know, Kiera. Your heart is so fucking big that it scares me sometimes. Even for a person in your position, you put your heart and soul into everybody that you meet. You make sure that they know that they are your center of attention. Every person in this town adores you.”

“There are a few people who don’t.”

“Then fuck them. I’ve learned to ignore them. And you have too. But what I’m saying is that I want to find a way to make this work. I want to find a way to be with you, but we need to make it on our terms. I don’t know how to do that. This is uncharted territory for me.”

Her eyes widened, and a smile covered her face. “Really? You want to?”

“What the fuck do you think I’ve just been saying? I love you. I love every part of you. I’m always going to love Courtney. I’m always going to miss her. Just like I’m going to miss Henry and Josie for the rest of my days.”

“And I would do anything to have them alive, you know that, right?” Kiera said quickly.

I leaned down and kissed her softly, whispering against her lips. “I know.”