Page 27 of One Last Chance

Mine focus on Mrs. Mason, and I don’t miss how she discreetly tries to wipe away her tears.

Mr. Mason walks up behind her and opens the door wider for me. “Hey there, son, wanna come in?”

I swallow hard.

Has something happened to Chloe?

Where is she?

Why do Chloe’s parents look as if they have just received the worst news of their life?

Thanking Mr. Mason, I quickly hurry inside their house, not waiting for a second invitation, and follow their lead into their living room.

“Please, take a seat,” Mrs. Mason says, pointing to the couch. “Can I get you anything?”

Shaking my head, I reply, “No, thanks. I’m here to see Chloe. Is she around?” My eyes travel to the staircase, wondering if Chloe is up in her room and will run down the stairs to greet me.

Mrs. Mason gives me a small smile. “She’s not here, honey.”

Hesitantly, I ask, “What do you mean, she’s not here? Is she sick? Did something happen to her?”

“No, not at all. Here… read this.” She hands me the piece of paper that she’s held in her hand since I arrived.

As I take a seat on the nearby couch, I quickly glimpse at the letter, which is obviously written by Chloe. I recognize her handwriting from all the times I sat behind her in History class just watching her as she worked away, oblivious to the fact that I couldn’t concentrate on anything but her.

All the time I was supposed to be in a relationship with Sophia, I was secretly crushing on her best friend. She never knew. Why would she? I mean, I’m supposed to be in a relationship with her best friend, and all I did the whole time we were together was want and crave her best friend.

And now, I finally have her, she ups and leaves, flying out to New York this morning. Well, that’s what her letter says, anyway. She explains that Jim from Sloan’s Photography called her last night and asked if she could get on the next flight to New York as she’s needed urgently.

Well, I for one, am not buying it.

Chloe was with me last night, and she never mentioned that to me. Plus, why would she leave without a word?

She’s gone.

She’s really gone.

Felling my phone vibrate in my back pocket, hope fills me thinking perhaps it’s Chloe, but when I look down at the screen, the name Sophia is displayed.

Sophia, shit!

How the hell am I going to tell Sophia the truth about Chloe and me? I can’t just break it off with her without any reason. Sophia will want to know why, and I don’t want to lie to her, but I don’t want to say I slept with her best friend either. Not when that best friend isn’t around to explain her actions.

No, I’m going to have to think about how I’m going to deal with all of this.

Pressing the cancel button allowing for the call to go to voicemail, I decide it’s not the time to tell Sophia right now. I know I’m being a coward, but Sophia deserves better than a quick break up over the phone, and especially in front of Chloe’s parents.

“Is that Chloe?” Mrs. Mason asks.

Lifting my eyes to hers, I reply, “No, sorry. It’s not Chloe.”

Disappointment flashes through her eyes, and she takes a seat beside me. “I’ve tried to call her, but she won’t answer.”

“She’s probably on the flight. I’m sure she’ll call soon,” I say, not believing my own words.

She nods and sniffles. “I’m sure you’re right. This is just…notlike her.”

Agreeing, I get up off the seat and tell them I need to leave because I have training today.

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