Page 83 of Loud Unspoken Memories

“Dallas, I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t ask. I offered. And it’s settled.” I turn back to Luther. “Text me when you find out the state of the car. I think it’s totaled, but I’m not exactly a mechanic.”

“I’m guessin’ it’ll be scrap metal. But I’ll let you know.”

“Let me grab a few things and we’ll follow you out. We need to get her suitcase from the trunk.”

“Sure thing. See you there in a few.” He tips his hat to Marti. “Nice meetin’ you, ma’am.”

I close the door behind him and turn to Marti. We both know this is the last time we’ll be in this cabin together.

She thumbs to the bathroom, looking sad. “I’m going to freshen up and then we can go.”

“I’ll put your things in the truck.”

Once she’s gone, I say to Bex, “Hope you don’t get car sick. We’re going for a ride.”

He barks once, wags his tail, and paws at the front door. He must have understood. He’s a smart little fucker. I’m glad I decided to keep him.

I re-cork the bottle of wine, clean up lunch, then gather up a few things for Bex. I load everything in the truck and look back at the cabin just as Marti comes out the front door.

Sadness on a level I don’t expect kicks me square in the gut as it hits me once again.

She’s leaving. I’ll be alone.

And I know when I return, things will never be the same.

Chapter Thirty-four

Martina

We haven’t talked much on the ride. Is he thinking what I am? That once he drops me off, that’ll be it? Maybe it would’ve been easier to part ways at his cabin. At least then I could have had a good cry in a rental car with nobody around to see. I could have gotten it out of my system so all my energy could go toward Charlie.

I glance over at Dallas, knowing the truth—he’ll never be out of my system.

His knuckles are practically turning white as hard as he’s gripping the wheel. The roads have been cleared, so it can’t be that. “You okay?” I ask.

He relaxes his hands, as if he just now realized the death grip he had on the steering wheel. “Fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Because our time together is coming to an end.

Because you’ll meet my big brother.

Because… Charlie.

I almost tell him I’m proud of him for doing this. He’s going way outside his comfort zone. It could be a step in the right direction for him. But I keep my mouth shut.

My shoulders slump when the GPS voice alerts us that our destination is ahead. How can a person be so incredibly happy yet insanely sad at the same time? I’m about to see Charlie. I’ve never gone this long without seeing him. But seeing him means leaving the past ten days behind.

Dallas pulls up in front of the hotel, underneath the massive brick awning.

My heart hurts as much as it did when I got that horrible call from Anita.How do I say goodbye?

I turn to him, unable to keep the tears from welling in my eyes. “I…”

He puts a hand on my arm. Our eyes connect, revealing in total silence there are still things we want to say but can’t.

What doeshewant to say? I’d give anything to know the answer.

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