Page 66 of Choosing Forever
Tell me everything.
Brooklyn glaresat me when she gets into the room, already reaching into her pocket for her earphones. My music isn’t loud by any means, but she hates it. That’s one of the first things I learned about her this year.
“I didn’t know you were still here,” I say in defense of myself breaking one of her thousand rules.
“Clearly. I just forgot something. Carry on.”
“Weirdly, I think I’m going to miss you this summer.”
“Weirdly?”
I laugh and tug my final pillowcase off before dropping it in my laundry basket. “Yeah. All year, we’ve avoided becoming friends, but I still got used to having you as a roommate.”
“Who’s to say we won’t be stuck together next year too.”
“Awe, are you a bit hopeful, Brooke?”
She rolls her eyes and lifts her mattress, revealing a tiny hunting knife. I choke on a surprised inhale.
“What? It’s not like I ever stabbed you with it.”
“Yeah, lucky me.”
“I’ll see you around, Delaney. Good luck with that guy.”
I flush, nodding. “Yeah, see you.”
She disappears, leaving me alone again. Her side of the room is empty, and mine is still overflowing with stuff I’m behind on packing. I blame that on Darren. He’s kept my mind occupied these last few days as I tried not to be too upset with him bailing on going home for the summer.
Sure, I knew it was a long shot, but I just thought with how often we were talking that he’d want to see me. It was a ridiculous thought. This break was my idea, and he’s only making sure we don’t cross any more lines since we’ve jumped right over the no texting or calling one.
It’s just been hard only being able to see his words or hear his voice every few days. I want to see him . . . touch him. My heart yearns for him, wondering why I ever thought of doing this in the first place. This year was a complete waste. The only thing I’ve learned about myself is that I’m a total hermit and hate college parties.
Maybe things will change when I go home. A summer by myself . . . I don’t remember the last time I had one of those.
I check my phone again.No messages.
The last one I sent says it was delivered, but there’s no indication that he saw it. Grandma waves at me from the front steps, her silver hair ruffling in the August breeze. I set my phonedown, abandoning any hope of Darren texting me back before I head back to school for another year.
“Drive safe, Laney! And call me when you stop for dinner.”
With the front windows down, I shout, “I will. Love you, Grandma. Don’t forget to call the pharmacy tomorrow!”
“Stop worrying about me and hit the road. You have a long trip ahead of you!”
Impossible. With the cold she had these last two months, I’ve become used to driving her to and from the hospital and making sure she was taken care of. The version of myself that’s going back to Vancouver this year is tired and more worried than I was the first time I left town. Other than several hours spent in the kitchen teaching myself how to cook, the entire summer was just . . . hard.
Two months flew by. One blink, and I’m back in my car, my heart heavier than the last time.
“You’re really here?”I ask, tears pricking my eyes.
Darren’s chuckle sends a shiver down my entire body. “Yeah, Elle. My cab’s pulling up right now.”
Without a second thought, I drop the call and run down the sidewalk to where I can see the yellow cab stopping along the curb. My pulse races as I run straight to him, not giving him a chance to get his bag out of the car before I’m jumping.
He catches me, his strong arms coiling around me as I cling onto him, legs curled at his hips. Burying my face into his throat, I breathe him in.
“I’m taking this as you’re happy to see me?” he rasps.
