Page 26 of Coming for His Second Chance
I put my phone away and drive to Grayson's. My stomach churns faster and faster with each moment I get closer. I get to the gate and pause. If he didn't have most of my stuff, I'd just leave it andask him to ship it to me. Determined to get this over with, I take a deep breath and punch in the code.
Parking by the front door, I use the key he gave me to go inside and turn off the alarm. For the first time, I get a good look around the entryway that, other than the size, looks pretty normal.
I had never met his parents and had never been in this house, until our recent first date. I shake out of those memories and head upstairs to start packing my stuff, when my phone goes off again. Then, I take the key off my key ring and set it on the entryway table in clear view.
Grayson:I'm glad you're back. Wait for me. I'm coming home for lunch.
I don't answer, as I just keep packing my bags. Even though I have no intention of being here, when he gets home, I can't leave him without saying goodbye either. Going to his office, I grab a pen and some paper, when I’m stopped in my tracks by the photo on his desk.
It's a double picture frame, and on one side, is the only photo taken of him and me from our first meeting back when I was eighteen. He's standing behind me, his head resting on my shoulder, as his buddy took the photo. I'm holding onto his arms, which he has wrapped around me, and we are both laughing and carefree.
The next day his deployment was announced, and he started training, and a month later, Linda would ruin everything. This was the last happy moment we had back then.
The other photo is one from the Oakside social media page taken a few months ago at a summer BBQ. I'm looking back over my shoulder, laughing at Lexi, who took the photo.
Comparing the two, my smile isn't as big in the Oakside photo. It doesn't reach my eyes, like it does in the one with Grayson. I've been happier with him these last several days, even with everything going on with Linda and Helen, than I have been in years.
How long has he had these photos displayed here? Has he really been hung up on me all this time? I shake my head, because that doesn’t really matter, because there’s no way this can work out.
I write him a quick note, leaving it on the bed, and pack up my car. Leaving quickly, I go back to the cabin, before he gets here.
I grab what little bit of my stuff is left in the cabin and load it in my car, before turning in my keys at the rental office and checking out early.
Then, I get on the highway and head south. I know I’m making the right decision. Our lives are states apart, and I don't see how we can make this work.
Then, why does it feel like I'm ripping my heart out the further I get from him? I know my feelings are real and strong, and that'swhy I had to leave now. There’s no point in staying a few extra days, and only falling harder for him, and then make leaving even harder.
This is what’s best for everyone involved, even if he doesn't see it now.
I can tell, when he gets home and realizes I'm not there, because he starts blowing up my phone, so I turn it off and just drive. Making it as far as Nashville, before I decide to pull over and get a place for the night. I'm out of Kentucky, and the last time I felt this miserable was the last time I ran from Grayson.
I just want to curl up in a bed and cry, until I pass out. Then, I’ll get on the road again tomorrow, get home, and give myself a few days in bed to mourn the loss of him, before going back to work.
Grayson
As soon as I see on the security feed that Kaitlyn is at the house, I race home, thankful that she’s back and so happy to have her in my arms again. Only when I get home, her car isn't there.
Damn it.
"Kaitlyn!" I yell, as I walk through the door, but the house is eerily quiet. That's when I see her house key on the entryway table, and I just know she isn't here, but I want to be proven wrong. I race upstairs, and sure enough, all her stuff is gone, confirming my biggest fear.
Then, I begin calling her and sending a few text messages, only for it to start going straight to voice mail. Of course, she turned her phone off.
I sit on the bed, and that's when I see the envelope with my name on it. I pick it up with shaky hands and find a letter inside. Already knowing this is her goodbye, I dread reading it, but can't wait to soak up her words at the same time.
Gray,
The last time I left I never said goodbye, so I wanted to make sure I did this time. I just knew I couldn't do it face-to-face.
These last almost two weeks have been perfect, thanks to you. If things were different, I have no doubt how hard I'd fall for you, and how fast it would happen.
But your life is here, and mine is in Georgia, and I just don't see how to bridge that gap. After yesterday, I have no intention of coming back here. I'm sure you understand why.
So, this is goodbye. Just know you are an amazing man, everything I always wanted, and the standard I will hold everyone up to. No one has ever treated me better than you have.
I hope you get everything you have ever wanted, and thank you for the most magical time. I will never forget it.
All my love,
