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Enclosed in this envelope is my gift to you. I’ve already had my lawyer transfer the deed into your name. If you have any questions, his card is in there too. Please don’t try to tell me it’s too much, or that you can’t accept it. This place was yours from the start. It’s only right that I leave it to you.
I hope you achieve everything you want in life. I’ve been so lucky to have known you.
I love you.
I sign my name and slip the letter into the envelope with the deed and the keys. Admiring the breathtaking view once more, the swing catches my eye. I can picture it already – McKenna rocking back and forth with a little girl in her lap, reading her a story. It’s almost painful to picture, knowing I won’t be a part of it.
THAT NIGHT, I’M CARRYING my suitcase out to my car when Maverick pulls in the driveway. He eyes me with disdain before sighing and giving me a manly hug. I know he’s not happy about me leaving, but he understands why I feel like I need to.
“You’re not going to become one of those stuck-up California guys, are you?”
I laugh. “Not a chance. And if I do, I’m sure you’ll come kick my ass for it.”
“You better believe it.” He leans against my car and eyes the envelope on the seat. “What’s that?”
“Oh.” I reach in and pull it out. “I need you to give this to your sister for me, but wait until after the wedding.”
He takes it from me and, despite my protests, opens it. As soon as he sees the deed, his eyes widen. “Is this…?”
I nod. “You can see it when she does, but you have to promise me you’ll give that to her.”
“Any chance of you giving it to her yourself?” He asks hopefully.
I shake my head. “You know I can’t do that. Saying goodbye to her last night was hard enough. I can’t do it again. Besides, I don’t want to ruin her wedding day.”
He reluctantly places the envelope in his car, but takes out a smaller one when he does. “Apparently, you two think alike. This is from her.”
It’s a white, card-like envelope with my name written across the front. A part of me considers opening it now, but I don’t need Maverick watching me as I do. I slip it under the visor in my car and remind myself to open it when I get to the airport. Roman will be coming to pick up my beloved GTO after the wedding, and he’ll be shipping it to California for me in a couple weeks. Unfortunately, I just don’t know if it would survive a full drive across the country.
“Alright, let’s go have a drink for your last night in town.” Maverick suggests.
I consider turning him down, but I know it would be a lost cause. I’ll tell him no, and he’ll tell me I have no choice in the matter. Better to save us both some time and energy, and just agree to go.
“HERE’S TO YOU, BROOKS. May you be just as much of an overachiever in LA as you were here.” Maverick toasts.
As soon as we got here, Tatum, Roman, and Ivy were all waiting for us – a makeshift going away party of sorts. We spend the night drinking and reminiscing on the good times. Of course, Maverick has enough embarrassing memories to last a lifetime, and the more he drinks, the more he shares. By the end of the night, Ivy and Tatum know more about me than I had ever wanted.
When it hits midnight, we all decide it’s time to go. I have a flight to catch in the morning, and they have a wedding to attend. We head out to the parking lot and I start to say goodbye.
Ivy is first. I give her a hug and chuckle when she whispers ‘you two are idiots’ into my ear. I don’t even bother denying it. After the summer we put that girl through, she deserves a medal.
Roman is next, and significantly harder considering he’s been at my side every day for the last three years. I make sure to tell him to make his move on Ivy already, because if he doesn’t, someone else will. The last thing I want is for him to be in the same predicament I am.
After giving Rome a hug, I climb into the car with Maverick and Tatum. The whole ride back to the house is quiet and it isn’t until we get inside that Tatum starts to cry.
“Tate.” I murmur.
She rolls her teary eyes and slaps my chest. “Shut up.”
I pull her into my arms and kiss her head. This girl may be a royal pain in my ass at times, but she’s one of my best friends. At times, she was the only one who could talk some sense into me, especially when it came to McKenna. I don’t know what I’m going to do without her constant nagging.
“You know I’m just a seven-hour flight away. I’ll even buy your ticket.”
She sniffles. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
“I hope you do.”
As we let break apart, she goes into her room and leaves Maverick and I alone. He needs to leave bright and early tomorrow, so I know this is going to be the last time I’m seeing him for a while. If I thought saying goodbye to everyone else was hard, nothing beats this – except McKenna.
