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“Come on, sweetheart,” my mother said gently as she pulled me back inside and directed me to my room.
She no longer offered reassurance. There was nothing anyone could say to fix this. I just had to keep moving, pretend that I wasn’t constantly being crushed under the weight of my grief.
The pain of losing a mate was said to be unbearable and now I knew it was true.
Just knowing that Lake needed me would keep me going. I’d give it a year and if the pain still hadn’t stopped, reading my letter with Lake would be the end for me. I’d pretend everything was fine, say my goodbyes…then?
Then I’d join Everett.
Knowing I had a plan in place to see him again filled me with a rush of relief. The weight lifted slightly and each breath was just a little bit easier.
One year, I could do that.
I’m coming, Ev.
ChapterFour
Shaye
One Year Later
Dear Everett,
Today is the day. I’m heading back to Lockwood to say goodbye to Lake. Well, we’re finally reading those letters you left us. I couldn’t bear it before now. Knowing he was waiting kept me going but every single day is awful. My heart hasn’t recovered and even though my tears have dried, I don’t want to do this anymore. Life without you isn’t living.
I can’t wait to see you again. Wait for me.
Love,
Shaye
The drive to Lockwood was surreal. Good and bad memories were warring in my mind as I saw the sign come into view.
It was a town I’d spent many summers at. Our parents both had properties that were on the outskirts of town on the edge of the forest and Lake Greer. We spent the warm months together swimming and having fun.
Now it was the beginning of the end for me.
I’d made it through my year. Everyone thought I was improving but it was only because I knew this was almost over. It allowed me to keep going but I was honestly only a shell of myself.
I woke up, took care of myself, did the motions, pretended to smile, and focused on my studies… rinse and repeat.
Every day I wrote Everett a letter. It was my way of keeping him with me each morning and I snuggled into his blanket at night. It no longer smelled like him but my memory was strong enough it didn’t matter.
In my little blue Kia were the only things I owned. I should have just left them but for some reason I couldn’t. I’d dissolved my lease, quit my job, and unenrolled from school.
My three bags and a suitcase was all I had left of my life. That and Everett’s blanket and letter sitting by me in the passenger’s seat.
My pain would be over soon. I’d be with him again. Nothing else mattered now.
Knowing I’d need caffeine for the night ahead, I stopped at the Raven’s Nest. Back then I’d get delicious hot chocolate. Now I needed extra espresso.
The bell dinged over the door as I pushed it open and several people turned to look at me.
“Shaye King, is that you?” an older woman said excitedly. It took a second to recognize Victoria Klein. She always came over to welcome us back for the summer and shared a pie or two.
“Hello, Mrs. Klein,” I said, giving her a fake smile. Her smile was bright before it faltered and the look of pity I was far too used to moved over her face.
“Shaye…” she trailed off before starting to speak but I beat her to it.
