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My phone rings, breaking apart the moment.
“It’s probably Tristan.” I fish it out of my pocket and see my dad calling. Ignoring the call, I let my phone fall back into my pocket and smile at Lex.
It’s hard walking away. I’ve loved spending as much time with her as I have. Both of us being off work allowed us to truly reconnect.
“Go on.” Her hands land on my chest.
“I don’t want to.” I screw my face.
Being in Hartville the last few months, even if for short periods of time, has given me time to reflect on my life. It’s true that I enjoy selling houses. It’s exciting, but I did have other dreams. However, I haven’t made much progress with the sports app Toby and I discussed.
I’m not sure where to begin. It was a pipe dream when I was younger since I studied business and real estate instead of computer science. For so long, my path was carved for me that I didn’t even know what I wanted to do.
“I don’t want you to go either, but it’s inevitable. We’re prolonging it, which will only make it harder.” Lex is the reasonable one out of the two.
“Whatever,” I roll my eyes playfully.
She chuckles and kisses my cheek. “Call me when you arrive. Drive safe. The roads are wet.”
“Always, and always.” I peck her lips. “Tristan will keep me company.”
“Good. Tell him I said bye and not to take so long to return to our slice of the world.”
“Will do.” I hug her. “I’m going to miss you, Lex. More than you’ll ever know. Please don’t give up on us.”
Her arms tighten around me as if imprinting herself on me. She’s already imprinted in my heart.
“See you soon.” I refuse to say goodbye.
“You will,” she smiles. “Ten days and counting.”
My hand trails from the side of her face to her shoulder and down her arm, and I give her hand a squeeze as I step back, holding on until the last second. She blows me a kiss and giggles when I catch it and save it in my pocket.
“I’ll have it for later,” I wink.
“Soon,” she nods, determined.
I let go of her hand and open her front door. “We’ll talk tonight.”
The drive to New York is going to feel interminable. I’m grateful my brother will be with me. Even if he’s obnoxious at times, I know he’ll keep me entertained and distracted.
“We will. Now go before I trap you in here, and don’t let you leave.” I know it’s a joke, but the idea is tempting.
Walking out of her house is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. I want nothing more than to build a life with Lex, but I need to figure out how to make that happen.
Lex
I stare at Hudson’s retreating form and watch his car drive away. I stand by the door, the cold air seeping into my bones long after his car has disappeared from my street. My throat hurts from holding back my tears. My eyes sting from the cold and the tears filling them. My lips tremble from the impending tears.
I knew this would happen. I can’t pretend it’s a surprise, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be sad about it. Hudson and I have always been traveling on two different roads. We’ve met at an intersection, but eventually, we need to continue on our paths. Is crossing every so often enough to make this relationship work? I don’t know, but I’m certain I love him.
People risk a lot for love, right? At least go to war for it, battle it out to see if it can survive.
Closing the door, I drag my body to the living room and drop on the couch. I hug my knees and stare until my gaze blurs.
Screeching ringing fills my living room, jolting me from my dazed state. I look around and find my phone with the screen lit up. Hope’s name flashes and I have the temptation to let it go to voicemail. I fling myself after it at the last minute, rolling off the couch face first.
“Ow,” I call out. My body lands on the floor with a thud. The corner of the coffee table stabs my side, but besides that, I’m safe from any injury.
