Page 92 of Our Long Days
Patrick stands a few feet away, wearing a confused expression. “What are you doing here?”
Today was our last day as juniors. Our class is celebrating at Piper Beach with a few kegs and a bonfire. It’s only a matter of time until the sheriff comes and shuts this down. After the summer, we’ll officially be seniors, and then, before we know it, we’ll be heading off to college. Not me.
Not now.
With a shrug, I accept the red cup from my best friend. “Too noisy.”
He nods in understanding. My best friend was the first person I called when we got home from the hospital today. He knows me better than anyone, including the fact I’m struggling to accept the news.
“Fuck, I didn’t think,” he says, sitting beside me. “We can leave. Go back to my house.”
I gesture to the blonde down on the beach. “What about Jo?”
“What about her?”
I raise an eyebrow.
“It’s not like that.” Even in the dark, there’s no hiding his infatuation. “Chloe Rodriguez was asking about you. Want me to send her over?”
“No,” I snap and wince at my harsh tone. “No. Not tonight.”
Pat eyes me skeptically. “Sure. No pressure, man.”
We sit in silence. Is this what it’s going to be like? My best friend not knowing how to communicate with me? The doctor mentioned a hearing aid, and while I said I’d think about it, the idea of the device drawing attention to me makes my skin itch.
“I know today wasn’t the news you were hoping for.” He lays a hand on my shoulder. “I’m here whenever you want to talk about it. You’ll get through this.”
My head jerks once.
It’s not life threatening, no, but my life’s dramatically altered. I don’t know what I want to do as a career, but this will limit my options, surely. Fuck, can I drive?
Patrick’s gaze floats toward Johanna, just like it always does.
I think about how my parents were curled up on the sofa together when I said goodbye earlier.
I’m only seventeen, but I wanted that. The start of something new and exciting. A lifelong love like theirs.
But what’s the point? Who wants to be stuck with someone who’s bedridden for days because of an attack or has to learn how to communicate again if they lose all hearing?
Looking out on the bay, I vow to do this alone. It’s my war to fight, no one else’s.
Hating myself.
Hating my stupid fucking condition.
Hating that I fucking love her.
Hating, despising, and resenting.
I forced my hand, and now, there’s no other option but to break a vow. But it isn’t the one I made two decades ago.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
florence
The cuton my arm is nothing compared to vice-like pressure in my chest as I sit alone in the urgent care waiting room.
It happened so fast. Megan kept me close as we maneuvered our way through the crews. We stood off to the side, away from the cabin under construction, when there was a loud snap behind us. She was quick, shoving me out of the way, the logs narrowly missing us. I lost my footing and ended up whacking my arm on a stack of planks.
