Page 114 of Break My Heart
Everyone leaves except Gina and me.
‘You don’t have to go with me,’ she says.
‘Actually, I do. When my mom uses my full name, she’s not messing around.’
Gina laughs. ‘Your middle name is Allen? I wouldn’t have guessed that.’
‘What’s yours?’
‘Louise. It was my grandma’s name.’
I walk her to her truck. ‘I’m really sorry this happened to you.’
‘Sawyer, I’m not blaming you. You didn’t do this. And I know you didn’t write those posts online. I should’ve believed you when you told me you didn’t.’
‘And I should’ve believed you about your ex.’
‘You finally believe me?’
‘I know you wouldn’t cheat on me. I just—never mind. Let’s go get your stuff.’
I could’ve told her about my fears of her leaving and explained that’s why I ended it with her, but I wasn’t ready to. I’m embarrassed to admit that, and nervous to tell her, because when I do, she’ll know how much I like her, how much she means to me, and how much I don’t want her to go.
* * *
‘You got what you need?’ I ask as Gina comes out of her bedroom, a duffle bag slung over her shoulder.
‘Yeah, but this really isn’t necessary. I’d be okay staying here.’
‘If you’re here, you’ll just be thinking about G’s. You need to relax and let your head clear before you start making decisions about what to do next.’
‘I already know what I’m going to do. If I reopen G’s and nobody goes there, I’ll close and try to sell the place. I’ll move back to—’
‘No.’ I walk up to her. ‘Don’t say you’re moving. You don’t need to make that decision yet.’
‘Sawyer, if G’s fails again, it’s over. I’ll have nothing left here. No reason to stay.’
‘You have me. And my family.’
She looks down, not saying anything.
‘Gina, I know you have a lot to think about, but you don’t have to make any decisions yet. At least give me a chance to convince you to stay.’
She smiles a little as her eyes meet up with mine. ‘Why would you want that? If I’m gone, you’ll be the only brewery in town.’
‘I don’t want to be the only one. I like having a competitor. It makes me work to be better. And even if G’s didn’t reopen, I’d still want you to stay. I know the past week things haven’t been good between us, but that’s my fault. I didn’t want to believe you about your ex because .?.?.’ I look to the side.
‘Because why?’
‘Because I wanted to end this before I let myself get more serious with you.’ I look back at her, deciding just to tell her the truth. If I want a relationship with her, I need to be honest with her. ‘Kendall, the girl I almost married, took off right before the wedding because she decided she didn’t want to live in Haydon Falls. She wanted us to move, but I didn’t want to leave. I love this town, and I thought she did too, but she decided she’d rather live in a big city. So she left. It hit me hard. I loved her, planned my future with her, and then she was gone. I didn’t want the same thing happening with you. So I found a way to let you go.’
‘Are you saying you saw a future with me?’
‘Yes, and I still can, which scares me because I know how easily it can all be taken away.’ I take a breath. ‘Gina, I know you have to do what’s best for you, and I’m not saying we should get back together today or this week. You need time to deal withwhat’s happened and figure out what to do next. But I’d like you to at least consider staying in Haydon Falls and seeing if we could make this work.’
She nods, then adjusts her bag on her shoulder. ‘We should probably get going.’
I’m not sure if I freaked her out by telling her that or if she just doesn’t want to say anything until she’s had more time to think. I’m not going to worry about it. I said what I needed to say. Now it’s up to her to decide what to do.
