AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You didn’t need to come out in this weather,” I say lamely.
“Obviously I did. My dad thought something was up when you dropped Rayna off.”
“Cas?”
“Yeah, I showed up not long after you left. I told him you were fine.”
I sit on the end of the bed and hide my face in my hands. The bed dips beside me and she wraps her arm around me.
It’s not only Leo and Rayna I’m going to miss. It’s her and Gunner, Nina and Sebastian, and Victoria.
“What are you doing, Holly?”
Everything comes flooding out and I tell her every last hurtful detail, not caring that she’s seeing my tears. I’m too tired to keep trying to make out they’re not wanting out.
“He finally said it… I’m not her. I saw shit that wasn’t there, and he made sure I knew it.”
“So you’re moving into the motel?”
“No, I was leaving when the storm rolled in. It was impossible to drive in the rain, so I decided to wait it out here.”
“Does Leo know you’re leaving?”
I shake my head. “It’s not like he’d pick up my calls anyway.”
“Well, I’m pretty pissed at you. Leaving without saying goodbye.”
“I would’ve called you. You’ve been a good friend to me, Harper. I wouldn’t have done you dirty like that.”
Her smile warms me through, and I lean into her hug and rest my head on her shoulder.
“I can’t stay, not after last night, and not after what was said.”
“What about Rayna?”
My chest tightens with a pain I’ve not felt in a long time.
“Give it time and she won’t even remember me. I’m not her mom and the longer I stick around, the more it would hurt her in the end.”
“I don’t want you to go,” she says softly. “Leo needs to sort his head out.”
“No, he’s where he’s supposed to be. I shouldn’t have pushed him.”
“Fuck that,” she snaps. “You’re allowed to want security and you deserve to have it.”
“I’m gonna miss you,” I say.
“Seeing as I can’t talk you out of it, have this.” She slips out a small envelope from her purse and hands it over.
Opening the unsealed lip, I’m confused when I see a wad of cash.
“I have money. What’s this for?”
“For my peace of mind. I was meant to deposit it for JJ, but you need it more.”
“I can’t take his money. I really do have enough of my own.”
“Starting over is expensive when you don’t have family to run to. Take it.”
