Page 144 of Luci’s Lullaby

I run. Like a bat out of hell, I run from him and all the words I’ve wanted to hear him say. I jump in my car and never look back. I drive down Highway Seventeen and don’t stop until I’m at Cherry Grove Pier.

Parking, I take off my shoes and head to the beach. I’m thankful it’s dusk, I’d hate for anyone to see how red my eyes are. I can’t even fathom why we just open our souls that way.

“Who in the hell reopens scars, wounds so deep they’ve left a mark that has remained for all of time?”

We do. Alden and I are so much alike it scares me. He’s so afraid of being alone that he’d rather go ahead and live that way. I suppose it has to hurt less; I know I wish it would’ve when he left.

“I didn’t mean to fall in love. I know he didn’t want to leave us, so why did he? Momma always said hearts were made to be broken. He didn’t realize it was gonna be his. He thought it would only be mine.”

I grab my phone and make a call. I need my girls. Reese doesn’t answer; she’s probably with Alden. Emerson’s out of town. Who can I call? Who will even understand me right now?

I scroll down until I come across a number. I can’t do that, it might be weird. Wait, I’ll call Sarah. I need to see Jordan. I find her number and hit call.

“Hello, Charlee Girl. How are you?” Sarah’s been so happy lately, maybe this was a bad idea.

“Hey, Sarah. Not so good. Alden and I just had a huge blowout.”

“Come on, you need girl time, and I’ve got the perfect girl for you.” I love her.

“I’m on my way.” I hop up as a storm brews off the coast. Most storms bring destruction, some can bring rejuvenation. I’m praying we get the latter because I really do love him.

I’m in my car and at Sarah’s in a matter of minutes. I tap on the door in case Jordan’s asleep. Chord answers and I want to flee; he’s going to hate me.

“Hey, Chord.”

“Come on, tell us what’s going on.” He hugs me as I step inside.

I break into tears. “I messed up, I’ve made a horrible mistake.”

We walk into the living room, and Sarah’s holding Jordan. “I thought I could do this, but I can’t. I miss them terribly.” I fall into the chair.

“Charlee, what happened? When I left, you were talking.” Chord’s brows furrow.

My heart races. “He told me he loves me.” Sarah and Chord look at each other with a smile.

“Is that a bad thing? Cause we all thought you loved him too?” Chord asks.

I wipe my face. “It shouldn’t have been, but I made it bad.”

“How, sweetie?” Sarah takes my hand as I stare at Jordan.

“I said so many awful things to him, but he stood there and told me in so many ways, he loves me. Why did I hurt him?” I’m wrecked, and I can’t figure out why.

Chord leans in. “He hurt you, and you’re scared. Charlee, it’s normal.”

“Why would anyone want to hurt the person you love with words like I said?”

“It’s human nature, it sucks.” Chord twists his mouth. “I know he loves you, give it some time.”

“It wasn’t him, it was all me.” I pound my chest.

Sarah holds her mouth in a firm line. “Could it have anything to do with your dad leaving?”

I avert my eyes. “Everything to do with it.”

“Charlee, it’s okay. You were there for Luci because you knew what it would take and you knew you could do it.” Sarah smiles.

“I just can’t understand why he would leave her? What did she do to him? She’s a baby, why desert her?” My body quakes with anger.