Page 10 of The Heart You've Borrowed

“Remember in the fifth grade when your dad left and you told me you didn’t think you would ever survive it? Look at you now. You survived that and you will survive this too. You are stronger than you think you are, you may not feel like you are right now but trust me you are. And you will survive this heartache.” He smiles at me and grabs my bags from me as we make our way through security.

I really hope he’s right. I know it’s a cliche when people say they never saw something coming but I really didn’t. I knew Jett was an asshole and could be mean but I never thought he would be this evil. Why not just end things with me when he wanted to sleep with someone else? Why did he have to keep me around and go behind my back? I have so many questions that I know I will never get the answers to. I don’t know if I want the answers honestly.

Chapter Six

Lio

When we land in Texas, I gently wake Charlie up. She had to take an anxiety pill since she hates flying. I still remember the first time we took a trip to Mexico for Spring Break our Senior Year, I didn’t think she would actually get on the flight. She was a mess, I should have noticed the warning signs back then. Jett refused to sit next to her because of how bad her anxiety was. He said it was embarrassing. We switched seats and I kept her calm the whole time. We talked about our dreams for the future and everything we wanted to accomplish. It seems like that was so long ago, not only five years ago.

I really do hope that one day she gets to accomplish everything she wants to, I hope that moving to Texas will be good for her. I know she had to get out of there and start over. It will be a significant change for her but I love it here. It’s quiet and peaceful and nothing ever happens. You could leave your doors unlocked and nothing would ever happen, I would never do that because I’ve seen one too many episodes of Criminal Minds but you still could. I think she will like her new place, it’s not the nicest but it’s a big one-bedroom right above the shop and she has the best bathroom. I know she will go crazy for the bathtub. She once told me that her perfect bathtub would cover both her legs and her boobs and this one will do that. Shit both I and her could be in and be completely covered. Not that we ever would be in the bathtub together, I know she doesn’t look at me like that and that’s not why I brought her here.

“We’re here already?” She yawns and stretches her arms over her head.

“Yeah, you were knocked out for the whole flight.” I laughed.

“Sorry.” She mumbled.

“Don’t be, I know you hate flying. I waited to wake you until the flight was almost empty anyways. I hate being one of those people that have to jump up the second the plane lands.” I shrugged.

“Me too.” She shook her head, standing to grab her carry-on.

“I can take you straight to your new place if you want or we can grab a bite to eat.”

“I need some food if you don’t mind.” She smiled behind her shoulder as we made our way down the aisle.

“Sounds good to me. I know the perfect place.” I winked at her. I’ll take her to my favorite food truck that is in the same parking lot as our shop. It seriously has the best tacos I’ve ever had in my life. If I didn’t go to the gym every day you’d be able to tell I eat there almost every day.

After I call for an Uber and we make our way to the taco truck I notice that she hasn’t said a word.

“You okay over there?” I brush her shoulder with mine.

“Yeah.” She clears her throat.

“Talk to me.”

“It’s just a lot in a short amount of time ya know? A few days ago I was in a long-term relationship and now I moved out of state after I caught him having sex with someone else on our seven-year anniversary. It’s just a lot to take in.” She took a deep breath.

“I know it is and I know a lot of it doesn’t make sense right now but it will. I know it will. If anyone can overcome this, it’s you.” I squeeze her thigh.

“Thanks. It just feels weird. Guess it will just take some time to get used to. Hopefully, Texas is a fresh start for me and I can move on.” She turns to give me a small smile.

“I know you will move on and make a life for yourself. Even if you only stay here for a year or so, I know it will help you move on.”

“Thank you again for all of this, I wouldn’t have been able to get out without you.” Tears are in her eyes.

“I would do anything for you, silly girl.” I grab her hand and kiss the back of it.

“Can I ask you something?” She swallows.

“Anything.”

“Can you stay with me tonight? I-I just don’t want to be alone.” She looks away.

“Of course, I can stay as long as you need,” I whisper. We used to have sleepovers all the time as kids, so this is nothing different right?

Chapter Seven

Charlie

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