Page 42 of Overachiever
“That’s a good idea. I’ll talk to him.”
“Will you unlock the SUV? I’ll go ahead and load my stuff.”
The lights flash on the SUV, and we end the call. When I slip back through the door, Owen sits on the edge of the bed. His gaze goes from the packed suitcases to me. “You’re leaving?”
“I’m going home.”
“You’re running away,” he accuses.
Pretty much. “You have three weeks left to get your tuition paid. It’ll give us some time…put some space between us.”
“I don’t want space, Remee!” he exclaims, getting to his feet and running his hands through his hair. It kills me to see him so upset. Owen is the happiest person I know. The one who takes everything in stride with a shrug and a smile. “And you need the grant too! Last night you were worried about being late, and now you’re willing to quit?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say. This is my fault. I started it and now…” My chest aches on a deep breath. “It was my mistake, and I’m the one who needs to fix it.”
“We aren’t a mistake!” His hands land on my shoulders, and blazing eyes meet mine.
“There’s nowe, Owen. There’s you, who needs to stay. And me, who has to go.”
There’s a knock at the door and Graham calls out, “You decent?”
“Come on in,” I reply.
Graham opens the door and leans against the doorway. “I can come back if I’m interrupting.”
“No.” I grab my suitcases and take my chance to escape. “It’s fine. I’m just going to load my stuff.”
Owen doesn’t speak when I step out, but I glance back at Graham and mouth, “Are you staying?”
He gives me a curt nod, and I feel a tiny bit better about the situation. I’m not leaving him alone in another state, or making him take the trip back alone. He’ll have one of his best friends here. Once I’m gone, he’ll be fine. They’ll probably be out picking up women by the end of the week. The thought sends a sharp feeling through my stomach. Jealousy sucks. It doesn’t care what’s best, just what it wants.
The group breakfast doesn’t happen. After I put my stuff in the car, I go to Serena and Zara’s room. Serena’s the only one there since Zara is helping Marty get packed.
“Do you want to talk?”
With a shake of my head, I sit beside the window and watch the parking lot come alive with people leaving for breakfast or the beach or wherever the day takes them. Owen texts a couple of times, trying to convince me to change my mind but doesn’t come up to confront me. Finally, I see him get into his truck to go to work. The droop of his shoulders puts tears in my eyes.
I hurt him.
Zara bursts into the room with Graham right behind her. “I swear Marty is the most uncoordinated person I’ve ever met. He’s going to kill himself on those crutches.”
“Someone’s going to have to stay with him for a couple of days when you get back,” Graham points out.
“Not it!” Serena and I cry at the same time. It brings a smile to my face despite the circumstances.
“Oh no. I’m not getting stuck with him,” Zara exclaims.
Graham shrugs, leaning against the wall. “You all asked me to stay with Owen.”
Zara shakes her head. “Ugh, let’s get his ass in the car so we can go.”
It’s easier said than done, but we finally get him and his cast situated. Luckily, the SUV has three rows of seats, so we’re able to have him sit in the back and rest his leg on the folded down seat in front of him.
Once everything is loaded and ready to go, Serena turns to me. “Are you sure? It’s not too late to stay.”
I don’t want to leave. I want days on the beach with Owen and nights watching the stars. I want his arms around me in bed and his laugh making me smile. Sometimes you have to sacrifice what you want in the short term for what’s best in the end. Fact of life. “I’m sure.”
Graham hugs me before I get into the SUV. “I’ll keep him out of trouble.”
