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“A lot better but I’ll always be working on it,” I answer honestly. Relief fills me when I think about how far I’ve come and worked for this moment. I’ll never take being mentally and physically healthy for granted. Health is a gift.
“How can I help you?” she asks, her blue eyes looking into mine like she’s trying to read me.
“You’re helping me by being with me,” I admit. And she is. Just having her here with me is like the missing puzzle piece I’ve been looking for all this time.
“I’m mad. We should have been together. We lost twelve years,” she says, shaking her head.
“I know. And we’re not losing anymore. Not another single day.” I’m going to make sure of it. She’s mine, and I’ll make sure not a day goes by when she doesn’t feel my love and support.
“I wish things had been different,” she whispers.
I pull her to me. “We did the best we could. We were kids. But you’re mine now,” I murmur.
“There was never a time when I wasn’t really yours, SJ. You’ve always had my whole heart.”
thirty-one
Callie
Then
“Go out with that boy,and there will be consequences. For both of you,” he threatens.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I ask. Why is he threatening SJ?
“It means you’re not going out with him. You need to focus on school, young lady.”
I roll my eyes. So it’s going to be like this. It’s summer now. I don’t start school for months.
“Okay,” I call out.
But it’s not okay. I look for my suitcases. I’ll just pack my stuff and move out. I’m eighteen in a few days. What can they do to stop me?
I call SJ, and it goes straight to voicemail. Weird.
I text him.
Hey, things are imploding here. Can I come stay?
Waiting for him to respond, I pack up as much as I can and check my phone. No response. My parents have gone out for the night. I load up all my bags and drive to the shop. Hopefully, I can stay there until we figure things out.
I frown when I pull into the shop, and SJ’s truck is parked out front. He must have been busy working and couldn’t respond to my texts.
I head into the open bay, where rock music plays softly. I scan and don’t see him, but Sam stands and heads toward me with a grim look on his face.
“Hey, where’s SJ?” I look around for him.
“He’s gone, Callie,” Sam says, looking uncomfortable.
I look around, and the tow truck is here, so he’s not out on a tow. “Where is he?”
Sam turns and places a hand on my shoulder and says softer than I’ve ever heard him speak, “He’s not coming back.”
“What do you mean? Where’d he go?” I ask, confused. My heart is seizing in my chest, and it feels really hot in here. “What happened? Is he okay?” It’s taking me a moment to realize what Sam is saying.
“He joined the Army and left for basic.”
I swallow, and time stops. I feel woozy. I see Sam but not very well because hot tears blind me.
