Page 64 of Wrecked for Love
“God…” I sighed, struggling to accept that this was really the end.
This time, running away didn’t feel like muscle memory. Every mile felt like pushing through thorns—dense, prickling, painful, but never quite enough to stop me.
You’re leaving Buffaloberry Hill, where your heart always has a home.
Tears poured down my face. The sobs came out of nowhere, hitting me hard.
Why? Why now? I’d driven through this very sign just hours ago.
I guessed I still had hope back then. I’d come back for him, for Elia. But now? Buffaloberry Hill meant nothing without him. A place is only as beautiful as the people in it. You could be in paradise and still feel like you’re in hell with the wrong person. But even the grimmest corner of the world shines when you’re with the right one.
I reached for myBatman Foreverpendant and pressed it to my lips. “I miss you, Code.” He’d been the only one who ever truly mattered.
Now, reality stared me in the face. I was still tired of running, and maybe this time, I’d stop. My next destination? Who knew? New York? Maybe.
25
ELIA
The next morning, I stepped out of the house and was greeted by a puzzled Hank standing by the barn with his brow furrowed the way it always did when something didn’t quite add up.
“Morning, boss. Um…looking for your mattress?” His words came out as if he was testing the waters.
I glanced over to where I’d left it the night before—tossed off the porch in a fit of fury and exhaustion. But now, it was gone. Of course it was. Just like everything else in my life lately.
I shook my head, more to myself than at Hank.
He scratched the back of his neck, adding, “Tucker’s cleaning it up. Thought he’d hit the jackpot or something. You want it back?”
“Ah, nah. He can have it.” I kept moving, heading toward my truck. “Hey, keep an eye on Koda for me, will you?”
“Where’re you going?”
I shot Hank a look, and he didn’t need any more hints. With a silent nod, he turned back to his chores, giving me the space to drive off.
First stop—though it made my skin crawl—was The Willow. I had to find her. Not to beg, not to plead. I’d spent hours turningit over in my mind, and I concluded that I couldn’t just leave it hanging. I owed it to myself to know the truth. She owed me an explanation. Who was she really? What had she done? Did she even have the guts to be honest with me?
I had braced myself for whatever poison she might throw my way, whether to try to reel me back in or push me away for good. But this wasn’t about that. I was here for answers, plain and simple.
“Claire!” I called out as I circled the perimeter of the cottage, glancing through the windows. The furniture was still there. Most of her things too. But no sign of her.
I drove to Paul’s next. Annette was stocking up a shelf.
“Hey, Annette, is Claire here?” I asked casually.
Her eyes flashed with surprise, and even though she knew I’d been close to Claire, she hesitated. Instead, she quickly called for her father.
“El, what can I do for you today?” Paul asked, as cheerful as ever—the kind of warmth only the town’s favorite hardware store owner could pull off.
“Is Claire here?” I cut to the point.
“Uh…no. It’s her day off.”
I sighed, feeling the tension creasing my forehead.
“She might be at the shelter,” he suggested.
I gave a nod, keeping silent, and walked out.
