Page 50 of Take Me to the Valley

When I check my room and the bathroom, I find a hair scrunchie and a necklace.

As stupid as it is, I leave the necklace in the bedroom. Maybe it will be a reason for him to call me. An open line of communication. If not, it’s a reason to call him in a few dayssaying I think I left it. It’s stupid and Kaylee would tell me not to, but I leave it anyway.

When I get back downstairs, I find Evan out front talking with Cody, so I join them.

“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask,” I tell Evan.

“Thank you for everything,” he says, pulling me into a side hug.

“I don’t want you to leave! Who will do my hair for school?” Skye says, pouting.

“Well, I taught your dad a few tricks. And when picture day comes around, call me and I’ll meet you at school to do something fancy,” I say. Then I scoop her up into a hug.

I’m going to miss this little girl just as much as I’m going to miss Evan. She hugs me tightly, and I hug her back. Then the tears I’ve been holding back finally hit. Evan reaches out and wipes them from my face with a look I can’t quite read on his face. When I pull away from Skye, I force a smile that I don’t feel.

“Alright then, I need to head out as Kaylee is expecting me,” I say, going to my car.

“Text me when you get there,” Cody says, and I nod.

Growing up with protective parents and four brothers, they always want to know where I’m going and that I made it there safely. So now when I get where I’m going, it’s second natureto text them. Even so, they still say it and it still makes me feel cared for every time.

The drive back to my apartment is a blur. Grabbing my tote bag, my duffle bag, along with my purse, I head upstairs, collapsing on the couch.

“Did you tell him you changed your mind?” Kaylee joins me with a margarita in each hand, giving one to me.

“No, he kept saying one last time. Though there was one opening just before I left, but I chickened out.” I take a huge gulp of my drink before setting it aside. Getting drunk just doesn’t hold any appeal to me tonight.

“And Cody still knows nothing?” she asks.

“Nope, and I’m glad he doesn’t, since it looks like it’s over. It’s just better this way.” I’m trying to convince myself as much as her. “Distract me?” I almost beg her.

“Well, I had my meeting with Jack this morning.” She stops, pausing to take a sip of her drink.

Today she was going to come and help me, but Jack insisted on meeting this morning, so I told her to go that I’d be fine.

“And?” I ask her and she smiles.

“He was amazing, Cal! Even though I can go back home tonight, I thought I’d stay and do a girl’s night and go home tomorrow?” She says it as more of a question.

“Sounds perfect. I have no desire to be alone tonight.”

“That’s what I thought,” Kaylee says, nodding her head, sipping more of her drink.

“Well, Jack also got the charges dropped. Apparently, Evan did a bit of digging and found out one of the rookies was working with Calvin. The rookie planted the drugs in the house, so they were there when Calvin told them to go look. Apparently, they were in a box of frozen peas.”

“Evan knows you hate peas,” I laugh.

“Exactly, so I knew I didn’t buy any. Plus, trying to get Calvin to eat any kind of veggie, well you’d have a better chance of winning the lottery! But it really was Evan who saved my ass. The rookie is now in jail and I’m free to go.”

I didn’t even know Evan was working on the case. He never said a word. I assumed he wasn’t talking to me about it, but also when did he have time? Every moment Sky wasn’t there, we were all over each other. When Skye was home, he was focused on her. Still, he found time to get work done. Fuck! I find the perfect guy who can balance me, his kid and work, and I just let him walk away. Of course I did. What the hell was I thinking?

“Okay, no more moping! Let’s get changed into our pajamas and have some girl time. We are going to put on face masks, eat ice cream, and watch some movies until we pass out!” Kaylee giggles.

I’m happy to let Kaylee take charge of keeping my mind busy. Just like she did with my last breakup.

Only this one hurts so much worse. I feel numb to everything. But when I think of Even, then it’s a stabbing pain… right in my chest.

Chapter 26

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