Page 1 of Returning to Rockport

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From Romeo and Juliet to Pride and Prejudice, I’ve always been one for romance novels. There’s just something captivating by the way the characters feel so intensely for each other that they’re willing to risk everything for it. Even as a kid, fairytales were always my favorite. The idea of someone loving me more than life itself has never lacked a certain appeal. Unfortunately, what you don’t learn in the books is that happily ever after isn’t guaranteed, and nothing can prepare you for how you’ll feel if it doesn’t work out.

The pain of living without the one I thought would last forever is all too fresh in my mind, despite the four years that have passed since the day he walked out of my life. I can practically still feel the way my chest ached from the void he left behind. The words from our last encounter replayed in my head for weeks as I tortured myself with wondering if I could’ve done something differently. The conclusion was always the same – he was gone from my life and I needed to come to terms with that. Since then, I’ve learned how to let people in just enough to satisfy them, but not give them the ability to hurt me.

“Hello? Earth to McKenna.” Julia waves her hand in front of my face, pulling me back to reality.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“I said, I can’t believe we’re moving out.”

My eyes glance down at the box I’ve been placing the last of my belongings into. It feels like the last four years have gone by so quickly, I’ve barely had enough time to enjoy them. Julia has been my roommate since freshman year. Needless to say, we have seen each other through some hard times and we’ve only become closer because of it. Now we’re leaving this place and I won’t have her right by my side by anymore.

“Can’t we just stay? Convince the housing office that living here is essential to our mental health or something?”

A small giggle leaves her mouth. “I don’t think your fiancé would appreciate that.” She grabs my left hand and admires the ring on my finger before letting out a dramatic sigh. “I’m going to miss this beautiful rock.”

“You could always come with us.” The familiar British accent echoes into the room, causing both our heads to turn.

Parker is leaning against the doorway looking just as gorgeous as ever. His blonde hair is perfectly styled in a way that screams confidence. He’s dressed in jeans and a button down, making for a well-rounded mix of casual yet sophisticated. I can’t help but smile as I look at the man I’ve agreed to marry.

“You’re early.”

He crosses the empty space, placing his hand on my hip and pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I couldn’t stay away any longer. Are you ready to go, love?”

Not even remotely close. The thought enters my mind but I don’t dare to say it out loud. Instead, I look around the room at what was once perfectly decorated. Now, it’s bleak and bland, lacking any sign of the happy times that have been spent here.

“Almost. Finishing up this last box, but the rest are done.”

“These?” He gestures toward the stack at the end of my bed. Once I nod, he grabs one off the top and flashes us one of his dazzling smiles. “Okay. I’ll bring them down to the truck while you say goodbye to our dearest Jules.”

As soon as he leaves, I stick my bottom lip out at my roommate. “He’s right. You could come with us.”

She groans and throws herself onto my bed. “I wish. Are you sure he doesn’t have a brother?”

“If he did, I think Ivy would have snatched him up by now.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

Julia was with me when I met Parker nearly two years ago. She had pulled me out to a party neither of us had any business being at. It was across town at Columbia University. I tried to talk her into going elsewhere, but she wasn’t having it. She won by getting me to go, and I won by drinking my body weight in alcohol. By the time that I ended up next to the blue-eyed beauty, I was drunk enough to make fun of his pretentious looking outfit; just before I spilled my drink all down the front of him. It was an encounter that should’ve been caught on film, but I’m more than glad it wasn’t. I sputtered hundreds of apologies while he just gazed at me like I placed the stars in the sky.

Having only the fact that I was wearing an NYU sweatshirt to go off of, he spent weeks trying to find me in the overly populated city. It wasn’t until he ran into Julia at another party that he managed to get my phone number. After numerous attempts at asking me out and a long lecture from my best friend, Ivy, about the importance of giving someone else a chance, I finally agreed to a date – my first in almost two years at that point.

To say things have been smooth sailing from there would be a lie. With my trust issues and tendency to push people away for the sake of self-preservation, he’s had to do more than his fair share to make our relationship work, but he’s never faltered. At this point, I’

m not sure anything could scare him away, and he proved as much when he got down on one knee after graduation. He had this look in his eyes that provided a sense of security when I needed it the most. That, paired with his promise to love me for the rest of our lives, had me saying yes without a second thought. After all, that’s what I’ve been longing for isn’t it – someone to love me with everything they have?

“I’m still shocked he convinced you into moving back home.” Julia remarks, propped up on her elbow.

I place the box on the floor and sit beside her. “Well, what was I supposed to say? No, we can’t because I’ve been avoiding my ex for close to half a decade?”

“No, but you could have suggested getting a place in Boston.”

My head shakes rapidly. “I’ve lived in a city for far too long. I’m over it. I could use some small town living back in my life. And besides, his time is going to be consumed by med school. It’ll be nice having friends and family around.”

“And if you see C-”

“I don’t want to think about it.”

“McKenna.” She says my name as a warning. “The likelihood of you running into him is almost a guarantee. You need to be prepared for it.”

“I know and I am, sort of. I’m just going to wing it. It’s been years and I’m engaged now. What’s the worst that could happen?”

She gives me a look that tells me everything she wants to say, but thankfully keeps her comments to herself.

After saying goodbye to the people I’ve grown to depend on, Julia being the hardest to handle, I follow my fiancé down to the truck. The back is loaded up with boxes of our belongings, and the gas tank is filled in preparation for the five and a half hour drive we have ahead of us. Tears build in my eyes as we pull away from the building. I try to quickly wipe them way but Parker notices. He reaches over and places a comforting hand on my thigh. It’s just the right amount to show me he’s here if I need him, but gives me the space to make that decision on my own.

THE RIDE IS SPENT listening to music, making jokes about passing cars, and just enjoying our time together. One thing I’ve always admired about him is his ability to make me laugh, even if it takes making an utter fool of himself to do so. I’m leaning back with my feet on the dashboard when a familiar sign catches my eye.

Welcome to Rockport

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