Page 111 of Catch You

“So, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

I shrug, wondering exactly what to tell her. “I … um … I’m having a rough day.”

“Is everyone okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, everyone is fine. I … I met someone.”

“The girl Milo mentioned when you were here last?”

“Yeah. Harlow.” I can’t stop my lips curling at the mention of her name, and if the delight that appears on my aunt’s face says anything, she didn’t miss it.

“Okay, so what’s happened?”

“I fu—I screwed it up.”

She reaches over and squeezes my hand that’s resting on the table. “I’m sure that’s not true, Corey.”

“She did something really nice for me, and I freaked out. Now she’s lost someone close to her, and she isn’t letting me anywhere near her to support her and …”

“You’re in love with her?”

“Um …” My heart pounds and my head spins, but I know that I need to stop running from this.

“Yeah. I think I might be heading in that direction.”

“Oh, Corey,” she sighs. “Relationships are hard. Especially the beginning. Trying to figure out who each other is, all their little quirks …” She smiles fondly as she reminisces. “But if you think she’s worth it, then you’ve got to fight.”

“I know,” I mutter, ashamed that I haven’t fought harder for her.

“So, why are you here?”

“It was the funeral today. I sat outside the church so I could be there for her. Milo and the guys went to support her as well. But I couldn’t.” She nods in understanding. “I’m planning on going to see her once she’s home. I just needed … I don’t know. But being at that funeral … it’s the first one since …” My words falter, and my aunt reaches for my hand once again.

“Does she know?” I shake my head. “If you think she’s the one, then you owe it to her to tell her everything.”

“I know,” I whisper. “It’s just finding the words. She’s been through so much herself, and I’d hate to burden her with more of my baggage.”

“If she feels the same, then your past won’t feel like baggage. It will help her get to know you, know what’s in there.” She nods down to my heart.

“I didn’t think there was anything in there until I met her.”

“Sometimes all it takes is the right person. Some just have the ability to see inside us and help take the weight of the things that press down on us.”

I stare at my aunt, wondering for the first time what her story might be. She shakes her head, clearly sensing where my thoughts are.

“You need to go to her tonight and tell her, show her how you feel. And when she’s strong enough, you need to tell her everything.”

The buzzer on the oven beeps, and she jumps up. “My cake!”

We chat about much more mundane things until my uncle comes home, and I end up eating with them.

“I should probably head out,” I say after being forced to stay where I am and not help with the cleaning up.

“Would you like to borrow the camper?”

“That would be fantastic. Are you sure?”

“Of course. Keep it for the weekend, if you like. Make use of it.”

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