Page 80 of The Truths We Find

She nods, still chewing, savoring each moment. “Best burritos in town.”

“I wouldn’t know. Haven’t had any since I’ve been here.”

Dani’s eyes go wide. “What? How is that possible?”

I shrug. “I don’t like Mexican food.”

“Hold on.” She puts down her food and wipes off her hands. “Pennsylvania Mexican food doesn’t count. Technically, you haven’t had real Mexican food, so you can’t say you don’t like it. We’re fixing this right now.” She holds up the untouched pollo asado burrito and forces it towards my mouth. “Take a bite.”

I open and rip a big piece off.

“Holy crap, this is good.” It’s juicy and full of flavor. My eyes roll back as I fall onto the blanket.

“I told you!” Dani laughs uncontrollably.

“I will never question you again.”

We get back to our food, switching our burritos back and forth, even though she has to fight me a few times for mine.

After some small talk, and just watching the water, I decide to take a risk. “Can I ask you something? And I need you to really answer, not just tell me what you think I want to hear.”

She looks at me, slightly worried. “Okay?”

“When I didn’t show up… when I made that call… Did you ever debate coming after me? Being the one to fight for us?”

Her eyes shift away from mine, before finding their way back. She exhales. “I did. Every day. For a long time.”

There’s a stillness in the air. As if every seagull suddenly flew away, and the ocean froze in place.

“So, why didn’t you?” My voice is barely a whisper. “Why didn’t you try?”

“Because I didn’t want to be the only one fighting.”

I feel that in my chest. The ache. If only she knew the truth.

“You left,” she continues, voice shaky. “I waited. I waited longer than I should have, if I’m honest. I told myself maybe you needed space. Maybe you’d come back on your own. But I also told myself…” She takes a deep breath. “I told myself if I have to chase you just to keep you, maybe I’m not really being chosen at all.”

I reach out to stroke the side of her face. I want to say something, but I let her finish.

“It wasn’t about pride,” she says. “It was about self-respect. But the truth is, I never wanted to stop fighting for us. I just wanted to know you were willing to fight too.”

I nod. It hurts, because if only she knew the real reason I pulled away. But it makes sense, considering what she thinks happened. But—I think it’s time to finally come clean. Just not now. Soon. I’ll find the right time. I’m done keeping secrets.

“I thought I was doing the right thing,” I force out. I reach for her hands, slowly stroking the backs of her palms. “I wasn’t then,” I say honestly. “Willing to fight, I mean. But I am now. And I know words don’t fix everything, but I’ll keep showing up. If you’ll let me.”

She looks at our hands, her thumb brushing against mine.

“I want to believe you.”

“Then let’s start there.”

Chapter 24

Gavin

Ilift the large sign high in the air, making sure everyone coming into the arrivals area can see it. If my brother is going to insist I pick him up at the airport, you bet your ass I’m embarrassing him in the process.

WELCOME HOME FROM PRISON, EMMETT!