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“I’ve seen her around,” was all I told him. He never did like her. But my mom did. And I was closer with her so really, her opinion was the only one I cared about. In the beginning that is.
“I heard she’s single.”
I looked at him then. “I never pegged you for a gossip, father.”
He shrugged. “I know you two were together for a while.”
“When we were kids.” It wasn’t his business that I wanted to pick things up again with her. And it also wasn’t his business that I actually wanted to move with Marley to wherever she wanted. I just never told her that.
Before he could add anymore to the conversation, I excused myself and left the house. We were burying my grandfather tomorrow and, as sad as it was, I just wanted to get it done and over with. I wanted to move on. This town had always been a shadow looming over me because I knew what I had left behind. I should have begged for Marley to come with me but then the rational side of me knew that I couldn’t. Her parents would never have let their sixteen-year-old daughter run off with her boyfriend. It didn’t make sense. But it didn’t mean that I wished I never tried.
My name was called, words of sympathy were said but I couldn’t tell you who was talking to me. Friends. Family. Acquaintances. People I didn’t bother to keep in touch with over the years.
Moving off to the side of the house, I looked out into the large yard that went off into a field. The graveyard was behind the old home. My grandparents were adamant that they be buried near the home they spent their whole marriage in. It was sweet in a way, although also morbid as well if you really thought about it.
“Atlas?”
My body buzzed.
Marley slowly walked toward me. A small red purse was in her hand but other than that, she was dressed completely in black. The form fitting dress hugged her curves that I could spend hours sinking my teeth into. If it wasn’t frowned upon, I would do just that.
“How are you doing?” she asked gently, stopping in front of me.
“I’m not sure.” I shoved my hands in my pockets and leaned against the side of the house. “I hate funerals. Not that anyone likes them really but this…it’s just…”
“Weird?” she offered, giving me a small smile.
“Yeah.” I looked toward the field, wondering what my grandfather would say if he were still alive. He would probably give my dad shit for only showing up because he had died.
“Well…” Marley placed her hand on my chest, closing the gap between us. “If you need anything, I’m here.”
I looked back down at her, meeting her dark eyes. Eyes that had held so much lust for me only a couple nights ago. Eyes that also held so much pain from when I broke her heart when we were kids but warmed every time they saw me.
“I need you,” I told her.
She sighed, stepping away from me.
“No.” I grabbed her upper arm, pulling her back against me. “I mean it. I’m not proposing, Marley. I just want you. Hell, if it has to be a long-distance relationship, I’ll do it. But I’m not leaving this town until you tell me yes.”
She frowned. “You’re serious. Aren’t you?”
“I don’t joke about this shit.” I released her, running a hand through my hair. “Listen, I care about you. Fuck it…I’m in love with you.”
Her breath caught, her eyes widening at my admission.
“I’ve been in love with you since we were kids. What I feel for you…” I pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I love you, Marley.”
“Atlas.” She hesitated. “I…this…I can’t move just to date you.”
“I’ll move back here,” I blurted.
“What?” Marley pushed away from me. “You can’t do that. You have a career you have to stay in the city for.”
“I don’t care about that.” I reached for her hand, bringing it up to my mouth and kissed her knuckles. “I will, Marley. I’ll do it. I’ll move for you.”
“That’s the thing, Atlas.” She pulled from my grip and cupped my cheek. “I don’t want you to move for me. Because if you did that, you’d end up resenting me. And I’d rather not be with you then to end up having you hate me.” She kissed me softly on the lips. “Thank you for everything.” She kissed me one last time before turning and walking up the side of the house and disappearing into the crowd of people.
I headed in the direction that she went. I would win her over. I would stay in this god forsaken town until that happened. But she was right. I couldn’t stay just for her. As much as I wanted to be with her, my life was no longer in Shefford.
