Page 102 of My Promise To Keep

Well, shit. Today isthe day.

Zoe showing up at my place and asking to come to San Diego with me was not on my bingo card, but man, did it feel fuckin’ good.

Not having her for those two days after months of her being mine was a hotter hell than all the years of wanting her in secret.

The second she said we were coming clean about us, I realized how badly hiding it had been weighing on me.

We made up over and over, ordered pizza, sat on my bed with a notepad and my laptop, and planned our road trip to California. I had been planning to fly, but since I didn’t actually have to be there for a while yet, we decided to drive, visiting places we always wanted to see and staying in motels and guesthouses along the way.

When we were happy with our plan, we made up some more, and she headed home to start putting stuff in place for her to leave.

Now I’m in my old bedroom getting ready for a goodbye meal she convinced her mama to throw for me, and in a couple of hours, they’ll all know everything.

‘Well, don’t you look handsome.’

Lucy smiles as I meet her and Pop on the porch.

‘Thanks, Lu.’ I turn to my dad. ‘You ready?’

‘Yep.’

The walk to the Campbell house is short, just a couple of doors down, but that doesn’t do anything to settle the buzz in my stomach: excitement, nerves — I just can’t wait for us to be truly official.

‘Uncle Leo.’ Bowie is in the yard with her dog, Harley, when we arrive, and I sweep her up into my arms as she runs at me. ‘You’re really leaving?’

Her little cheeks and nose shine pink from the cool air and the exertion of running around the yard, but this kid will never quit — cold, tired, but still going.

‘I am, honey, just for a bit.’

‘I’m going to miss you.’ I hold her close.

‘I’ll miss you too, Miss Bowie. Maybe your daddy will bring you out to visit, and we can go to the beach.’

Her beaming smile fills me up as Pop, Lucy, Bowie, and I climb the porch steps up to the house.

‘You’re here.’ Lynnie rushes at me, wrapping me up in a huge hug. I love Lynnie. I love that despite my not living in Forest Falls for almost fifteen years, and despite this not being the first time I’ve taken a guest spot in another state, although this is the longest, by some way, Lynnie didn’t hesitate to throw me a going away party.

The smells of the food Merv is skillfully preparing create the perfect mix of excitement and nostalgia that makes me smile. The hugs, kisses, and handshakes fill the room with love and joy, and I can’t help but feel amazing, but there’s something missing, and I need her to get here.

‘So, when are you leaving?’ Cara asks as she, Doug, and I sit on the couch watching Bowie play a board game on the floor with Pop and Lu.

‘Next weekend. It’s a long drive.’

‘Why in the hell are you driving?’ Doug asks in his usual no-bullshit tone, and I’m trying to find a way to answer when the door opens again, and the two women entering steal the attention of the whole room.

Jesus, fuck, she’s beautiful. These family settings, before we tell them, are hellish. I feel like I can’t look at her because they’ll know, and she wants to wait until after we eat.

‘Hey, Leo.’ I stand to hug the approaching Bree. ‘Are you excited for your trip?’

The sparkle in her eyes makes me smile. Bree knows everything.

‘I am, yeah.’ I gift her a smile, and she sidesteps to greet the rest of the family as I lay my eyes on my girl. ‘Hey, munch.’

Leaning in to kiss her cheek, I get a full hit of her perfume, and it almost takes me out. It’s quickly become the scent that I want on my pillows and on my hoodies — when I finally get them back.

‘Hey, Leo.’ She smiles up at me, and I see no worry, no hesitation. We’re doing this.

‘Wait, do you rememberhow obsessed Zoe was with driving to California when she was a kid?’ Doug asks as we sit around the table, letting the meal digest.

---