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“I’ve really hurt Austin,” I tell them both. “And Will too.”
“Will is like your father. He is stronger than you think and right now he is probably more worried about you. As for Austin, he will need time to heal.”
And so, we sit for what feels like forever until I begin to shiver uncontrollably. Eric insists we head back, the two of them holding onto me as we walk slowly back to the house.
When we step back onto the patio, the party is well over. Servers are cleaning the area, all the while making me feel guilty for ruining the night. I need to apologize to everyone, especially Uncle Rocky. Only Dad is standing outside.
“Where’s Austin?” I ask, defeated.
“Julian drove him back to Manhattan.”
“And Will?”
“I’m not sure,” is all he says.
“I think you should go to bed. It’s been a long night,” Eric suggests, lacing his arm back into mine. “Tomorrow is a new day, but for now, you need sleep. No good decisions are made when tired.”
I nod and quickly mumble goodnight to my parents then stop in my tracks.
“I’m…I’m sorry, for disappointing you both again,” I stammer, barely able to hold myself together from crying again. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
As we begin to walk away, I faintly hear my mom ask my dad if he is okay.
“I will be,” he begins, then stalls. “As long as my daughter is okay, I will be fine.”
His words may be the only light at the end of the dark tunnel. More than ever, I need my family. I was a fool ever to think I would outgrow my need for my parents, for my sisters, aunts, and uncles, not to mention cousins.
Nothing can break our family bond. Its strength far outweighs anything or one who tries.
Inside my room is an empty bed. I can’t be alone tonight, craving the warmth and love from another person. I tiptoe out of my room to knock on Ava’s door.
“Come in.”
The second I step inside, she offers a deep sigh with a thoughtful expression, patting the bed beside her. I move toward the bed and climb beneath the covers, allowing Ava to wrap her hands around me while stroking my hair. Ava may always be my little sister, but it doesn’t stop me needing her to comfort me in times of need.
“I saw the spark, Millie,” she whispers gently. “All weekend, I saw it between you and Will. Tonight was hard to watch. But the war is over, you’ve fought, and now it’s time to go live the life you deserve with the man you love.”
“But Austin,” I croak, struggling to hold back my tears.
“He is hurt but will move on. He’s a good man who, one day, will find someone that he cannot help but fall in love with. You guys had this amazing chemistry in high school, but the truth is, you guys are just best friends. You can’t confuse that with real consuming love.”
For once, Ava is right. Austin and mine's relationship had run its course years ago, although neither one of us wanted to let go of what was comfortable. We forced the hand of the universe, and in the end—we both paid the price.
“And Will? I should go find him.” I suddenly panic, worried about him.
“You know what, Millie? For tonight, just let him be. Love doesn’t disappear overnight. I promise you nothing will change. Tomorrow, you will wake up and inside that kitchen will be a man who is ready to start again with you.”
“You promise that?”
Ava leans over and turns the lamp off. “I promise, Millie. Tomorrow is a new day.”
19
WILL
My hands continue to clench while I pace the driveway outside the front of the property.
Amelia ran off toward the beach after the fucker humiliated her in front of everyone.
