Page 26 of Home in Nevada

“Bye,” I echo, stepping forward to pull him into a tight hug. My arms wrap around his shoulders, squeezing harder than I probably should. Before I can stop myself, I press a quick kiss to the side of his head, subtle and fleeting, hoping no one’s watching.

Leaving Jamie always sucks.

At least this time, I didn’t make him cry. The last goodbye was brutal. The look in his eyes then—crushed, broken—it still haunts me.

Jamie squeezes me back before stepping away. His face falls just before he gets into his car, and my chest aches all over again.

“Bye, Jeff,” he says softly, his voice barely audible over the sound of his door closing.

“Bye,” I whisper, the word catching in my throat.

I walk back to my car as the roar of Jamie’s engine fills the driveway behind me.

And just like that, he’s gone.

Chapter 8

The one where Jeff delivers a surprise—and gets one back.

Thedrivehomefeelslike a blur, but Lucy keeps me grounded. She talks me through everything, her voice calm and steady, cutting through the noise in my head. It helps, even if she’s not joking around like she usually does.

Instead, there’s a quiet seriousness in the way she talks about Jamie and me. It’s not teasing, but something deeper—and it scares the hell out of me. Lucy never takes things this seriously unless she really means it.

Her words replay in my mind long after we’ve left Nevada behind, confirming what I already know but don’t want to face. I’m in way over my head. Whatever this thing with Jamie is, it’s more than just history or nostalgia. It’s tangled up in a truth about myself I’ve been running from for years.

And the scariest part? I don’t think I can ignore it anymore.

By the time I pull into her apartment complex, I’m exhausted. Physically, mentally, emotionally. But for the first time since running into Jamie at the grocery store, my head feels clear.

Lucy smiles at me as I park, her expression softer than usual. “Thanks for letting me tag along,” she says as we step out of the car. “It meant a lot to me—spending time with your family.”

I struggle to find the words. “I… I’m glad you came,” I finally say, pulling her into a hug. It feels inadequate, but I hope she knows how much I mean it.

Before heading inside, she turns back to me, her grin teasing. “You’re like the annoying brother I never wanted, Jeff.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “You’re like the sister I didn’t know I needed.”

Her eyes get a little shiny, and she flips me off with a smile before disappearing into the building.

Sitting alone in the car, I feel an ache settle in my chest. Maybe it’s exhaustion, or maybe Lucy has cracked me open more than I want to admit. Whatever it is, I need to talk to Tiffany.

Now more than ever.

Still parked outside Lucy’s place, I pull out my phone and dial her.

“Hey, babe!” Tiffany answers after a few rings, her voice warm and familiar.

“Hey,” I say automatically, starting the car and pulling a U-turn.

“You back home safe?”

“Kinda,” I mumble, not sure what the hell that even means. I don’t know how to answer, so I change the subject. “I’m surprised you’re still awake. I hope you didn’t stay up just for my call…” I laugh, scratching the back of my head.

“Of course I did, Jeff. It’s not a big deal,” she says, her words slurring slightly.

“…Yo, are you drunk?” I ask, half laughing.

“Well, a little,” she admits. “I got to take home the extra wine after Thanksgiving dinner.”

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