Page 73 of Tell Me When It's Over

The problem with wishful thin

king, is that you can’t rely on it. I don’t want to keep creating heartbreak based on my own expectations.

When nothing else feels right to say, my heart yearns for one confirmation. “Promise that you’ll love me no matter what?”

They both stare at me. Pain, uneasiness, but love and light all mixed in their eyes. It’s Kyler who takes my hand and squeezes, interlocking our fingers together. “I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours, but you never have to worry that we’ll stop loving you. Love is nonrefundable. Once you have it, you can’t give it back. It’s there for life.”

Swallowing, I offer him a grateful smile.

Before anybody can say more, the front door opens, and Harry’s and Mom’s voices call out for us. When they walk into the kitchen hand-in-hand, I instantly see the glow on Mom’s face. My brows pinch at the way she smiles, and I hate that I have to be suspicious when she’s happy, but it’s become second nature.

It’s Mia who whispers, “Holy crap,” and Ky who murmurs, “You’ve got to be kidding me,” before Mom raises her left hand to show off the huge rock on her ring finger.

My eyes widen when she says, “I’m getting married!”

And after the shock wears off, after I look around the room at Kyler’s sullenness, Mia’s surprised expression, and Harry’s seemingly happy one, I let myself believe that this is Mom’s birthday present to me.

A promise of her own.

That we’ll stay.

That everything will be okay.

That I finally have a family.

I hold onto that, to Ky’s words, and for a long time everything is perfect.

Chapter Twenty

Leighton / Present Day

The beginning of July marks the halfway point of summer being over, and the heat has let up enough for us to enjoy it. Like a lot of times since our first date, I spend time in Chase’s pool, swimming while he works at the table set up under the shade.

Today shouldn’t be any different, but the way he looks at me tells me he’s thinking what I’d rather he just forget. Just like somebody else has. My lips threaten to curl downward.

Don’t think about it, Leighton, I scold myself as I float along the cool water. Sighing inwardly, I close my eyes and feel the sun caress my wet skin.

Chase’s sigh comes next. “Are you sure—”

“I’m sure.” He doesn’t even need to finish the sentence because he’s already asked me twice if I want to stay here or go somewhere else for the day.

The tightness in my ribcage resembles sadness and a little bit of anger. Maybe when I was younger, the feeling accompanying my every thought today wouldn’t have been that foreign, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had to endure the feeling of being forgotten. I mean, Mom used to forget about me all the time. But I never expected Kyler too, and no matter how hard I try giving him the benefit of the doubt, the bitter, ugly feeling inside me manifests into something all-consuming.

Mrs. Matthews chooses the perfect moment to come out with a tray of drinks and snacks, offering me a smile when I turn my head to her. I love Chase’s mom. She can’t be more than five foot, maybe five-one, and her blonde hair is graying in cool streaks that she says she quit dyeing a while ago because mother nature is doing it for her.

“How about something to eat?” she suggests with a tiny accent resembling Garrick’s, setting the tray of food down on the table in front of her youngest son. They share a quick look before glancing at me wading over to the pool’s wall and leaning against the tile edge.

“You didn’t have to do that.” I push myself up and reach for the towel Chase set out for me.

Her warm smile is all-knowing. “Well, since you won’t let us do anything special for your birthday, it’s the least I could do. I even got the soda you like.” She points toward the can of cherry Pepsi, while Chase winces. I know he told her what today is because her hug was extra tight when I walked in to say good morning like I do every time I come over to hang out with her son. Even though she didn’t say the words, it was the way she squeezed me, patted my back, and told me to relax and have fun that told me she knew.

“Mom,” Chase murmurs in warning.

“It’s okay,” I tell him quietly, walking over and looking at the assortment of finger foods. I giggle when I see the little chicken tenders and my favorite dipping sauces, honey mustard in one and ranch in the other. Turning to the soft-faced woman, I return the easy smile, grateful for her kindness. “Thank you for this.”

“I’ll leave you two be.”

After she walks back inside, Chase lets out a heavy sigh and closes his laptop. “Sorry. I told her not to—”

---