Page 94 of Subscriber Wars

I swallow. “You too.”

And that’s it. That’s how dudes say their goodbyes. Rowan turns and walks away while I’m left with a bag and pair of binoculars I stole specifically for this occasion. I walk to the window and raise them to my eyes, peering out for the last time at the girl who taught me that friendship comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s disguised as hate and sometimes as a fake girlfriend. Either way, as I watch her pacing her bedroom, I know that she deserves better than me. She deserves a real boyfriend. Someone who will be with her the next three years of her college life.

She deserves someone better.

I just hope that Vance isn’t that someone.

I know it’s selfish but leaving isn’t easy. It should be, because that’s what I want, at least I think it is.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I look down, hoping to see it’s Vee saying goodbye or at least giving me hell about watching her with binoculars, but I’m disappointed.

Maverick: You have one minute to get in the fucking car.

I smile. I knew he would show. He might have called me and said he didn’t do goodbyes, but I knew he would. Deep down, Maverick Lexington is a softy.

Me: Aww. You did miss me.

Maverick: I owed you a favor and since you won’t be here to claim it, I’m taking you to the airport. I always pay my debts.

He doesn’t owe me any kind of favor, but this is who he is.

Me: If you say so. Let me grab my shit.

Maverick: I don’t have all day.

I pocket my phone and take one last look at the girl next door. She’s gone from the window, and my heart sinks. I should go over there, at least give her a high-five, but for some reason, I can’t bring myself to make it final.

Grabbing my bag, I sling it over my shoulder and walk to the front door. I turn and give everything one more look before I close the door and lock it, leaving everything behind.

“Took you long enough,” Maverick says, as soon as I open the passenger door and chuck my bag into the back seat. His eyes follow its landing, and he frowns.

“Thanks for taking care of the Jeep while I’m gone,” I tell him, ignoring the sour look he still has. His leather is fine. It’s not like my bag was made of jagged metal.

“Yeah,” he mumbles, pulling away from the curb and gunning it down the road, not even giving me the opportunity to look back.

“Fuck. Seriously? You told them?”

My friend is the devil.

Maverick shrugs, not bothering to look up from his phone. “Ainsley made me. I told her you didn’t want to see them.” He flashes me an apologetic look. “She didn’t care.”

I shake my head. “Tell her I’ll miss her sensitive self.”

I swear, she’s worse than Vee about saving the world and shit.

“Get out of the car and text me the address when you land.” Maverick sounds a lot like my father instead of my friend, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I nod. “I’ll see you soon.” It’s not a question with Maverick. He keeps up with his family and I have no doubt he won’t allow me to disappear out west and never speak to him again.

With one last fist bump, I get out of the car and open the back door to retrieve my bag and then turn to face my mom, dad, and sister.

“Maverick told us what time your flight was leaving. We wanted to say goodbye.” My mom wraps her arms around me, her body shaking.

I loop my arms around her, exhaling.

“We are so proud of you,” she says between sobs.

I snap to attention. “You are?” You can’t fault me for having doubts. All my parents have ever wanted for me to do is go to school and get a good job. I think I always felt like they just wanted me out of their house. Once my sister married and moved out, I was the last hurdle in their way to freedom.

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