Page 156 of Could Have Been Us
“They don’t get it.”
“Neither do I,” I tell him. When he was living in New Orleans, it made sense. They were living in different states and she wasn’t going to leave, not with her mother sick at the time and then it just became too late. Now, he’s here, and there’s no reason why they can’t try. “Delia is a great girl. She’s had feelings for you since . . . forever. It’s not like the age gap is a thing.”
“I know that.”
“Then what’s the issue?”
He sighs. “I can’t do it, Jack. I can’t get involved with a girl who wants a life I will never be able to give her.”
“Why can’t you?”
He looks over at Delia, who’s laughing at something Winnie and Jessica are talking about. When I turn back to him, I shake my head. He’s so fucked. I’ve seen that look. He’s broken up, trying to pretend otherwise, and doing a really piss poor job at it.
“I just can’t.”
My phone pings with a text, and as much as I’d like to keep this conversation up, I have something I need to do first.
Kinsley: We’re almost there.
Me: Thanks, kid. I’m on my way. Is she suspicious?
Kinsley: Of course she is. She keeps checking her hair and saying that she needs to practice her surprise face.
She wouldn’t be Stella otherwise.
I look back at the crowd and yell, “I’m going to get her!”
They raise glasses, and I earn a few hoots from people. I grab the four-wheeler and head out. God only knows what shoes she has on this time.
When I get to the entrance, she’s just pulling in. She exits the car, a smile on her lips, and she’s wearing a white dress, heels, and her hair is in waves down her back. She is breathtaking, and she’s going to kill me when she realizes she’s about to walk in the woods.
I didn’t think this through completely.
Still, too late to back out now.
“Hey. How was your day?” I ask as she looks around.
“Good . . . why are we out here?”
“We’re camping.”
“Jack.” Stella’s voice is low and full of frustration.
“Yes, my love?”
“I amnotcamping.”
Samuel laughs and grabs a bag from the back. “Jack said he wanted to take us out. I’m sure it’ll be fun.”
She turns to him. “You knew?”
“I’m sorry, Stella,” Kinsley says. “I asked Jack if we could see Melia Lake again because I wanted to check out more of the woods.”
Oh, I love this kid. Stella, who is way too hopeful that Kinsley will want to be in her life, isn’t going to disappoint her.
“Right. I just . . . I’m not dressed for it.”
“I have some clothes in my truck,” I offer.
