Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
On Friday night, I took the kids out for dinner. I thought about inviting Veronica, but I wasn’t sure I could handle seeing her across the table from me. We hadn’t spoken more than a few words to each other all week, and when we did, it was only about the kids or my father. There was a text from her on my phone that I couldn’t even bring myself to read. The first few words were You don’t have to drive me…
She probably thought she was doing me a favor by getting another ride to the airport. Maybe she was. It’s not like I was looking forward to goodbye. Or maybe she just didn’t want to see me again. Fine. Good. Great.
She just needs to go, I kept telling myself. Once she was across the country, I’d work on getting over her.
At dinner, both kids were quiet and withdrawn. I’d given them some quarters to play video games, but neither of them had gotten too excited about it. When we got home, the lights in the garage apartment were off, and I wondered if Veronica had already gone to sleep. I pictured her sleeping, and the fierce longing to hold her struck me in the chest.
I would never hold her again. Never kiss her. Never touch her. Never be the one to keep her warm or safe, or make her laugh, or put a mark on her skin.
The realization hit me so hard, I nearly doubled over on my way up the stairs to put the kids to bed. Someone else was going to do all those things. Veronica was gorgeous and sweet and sexy. And maybe she guarded her heart, but she’d let me in, hadn’t she? She could let in someone else, and that someone else might fucking hurt her.
My brother was right—I was a total fucking idiot. And as soon as I got the kids in bed, I was going to go over and talk to her.
When I was tucking Owen in, I noticed a new stuffed toy under his arm—a green apple with a face on it. “What’s this?”
“It’s from Veronica. Because she’s moving to the Big Apple. She said this will remind us of her, and if we miss her, we can hug it.”
“That was nice of her.”
“I’m sad about her leaving,” he said. “I don’t want her to go.”
“Me neither, buddy.”
“She told us she wished she didn’t have to leave,” he said. “Can you make her come back?”
“I’ll try.”
In Adelaide’s room, it was more of the same, this time with tears. “I’m going to miss Veronica so much,” she said, hugging her apple—a red one. “It was so sad to say goodbye.”
“Well, she’s not gone yet.” I tapped her nose. “Maybe we can convince her not to go.”
“But she is gone. She left.”
My heart stopped. “What?”
“That’s why I’m so sad.”
“Her flight is tomorrow,” I said, my entire body suddenly on high alert. “I was supposed to drive her to the airport.”
“This morning, she said Ari was driving her. And she was leaving tonight.”
What the fuck?
I jumped off Adelaide’s bed and raced out of the room.
“Daddy! You forgot to give me a kiss!”
“Fuck,” I muttered, halfway down the stairs. I took them up two at a time and ran back into her room, dropped a kiss on her forehead, then bolted down the steps again.
Locating my phone on the kitchen counter, I read Veronica’s full text.
You don’t have to drive me to the airport. I changed my flight, and it leaves late tonight, so Ari is going to drive me. The kids will be in bed.
I just want to say that I’m sorry for the way things ended with us. I never intended to make a mess here. I just wanted a fresh start. But I had so much fun with you and the kids and your family that I got a little carried away.
It felt like home, like a dream come true. But I’m awake now, and I know it wasn’t real. At least you all showed me what’s possible.
Take care of each other. I will never forget you. And I’ll always wonder.
I love you, Austin.
“FUCK!” I roared. “No!”
I called her. No answer.
I found Ari’s number and dialed. No answer.
I texted Veronica.
Please don’t go. I have to talk to you.
Holding my breath, I waited for her reply. Nothing.
“Dammit!”
I dialed Xander. “Hey,” I said when he picked up. “Did Veronica say anything to you about leaving tonight?”
“No.” He paused. “But come to think of it, she was a little clingy and emotional when she said goodbye to me and Dad last night. She doesn’t usually hug me.”
“Dammit!” I yelled, bringing a hand to my head.
“What’s wrong?”
“She changed her flight and snuck off to the airport tonight without telling me!”
“Shit. Why?”
“Because I’m an asshole!”
“Okay. Stop yelling. I’m on my way over. I’ll stay with the kids. You can go get her.”