Page 75 of What Comes After

God, I’d known she was so much more than just my best friend for a long time. I’d done everything I could for years to forget that, because I’d witnessed how easily she’d moved on with her life after I left.

But after hearing my mother’s words, it was all beginning to make sense to me. Devyn had no choice but to move on, just like I had. She just did it by searching for something she was never going to find with anyone but me.

I hated to think how much hurt and pain I’d caused her.

“Do I even stand a chance now? Can I fix this?” I questioned my mom, a bit of desperation leaking into my tone.

She left out a small sound of laughter before she answered, “Probably not without a good grovel, but yes, I think you can. I still believe the two of you are meant for each other. You just need to prove to her that she has reason to open her heart up to that possibility.”

“What do you think I should do?”

Smiling, she countered, “You really want me to answer that?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“Talk to her,” she urged. When I stared at her in disbelief, she added, “It’s not rocket science, Theo. There’s nothing groundbreaking here. It’s communication, and that’s everything in a relationship, especially a romantic one. Give Devyn the truth. Tell her how you feel. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but that really is the bottom line. Talk to Devyn, and I promise you, everything else you’re worried about will naturally fall into place.”

She made it sound so easy.

I’d been twisted up inside for weeks over Devyn.

At first, it had been all the worry and fear I felt about whether she’d survive and if I’d get the chance to talk to her ever again. Then it became about her recovery and what I could do to see her through that. Next it was the death of her ex, the mess he’d gotten her into, and the truth about all she’d suffered because of him.

But the one thing that remained present throughout all of it was the love I felt for her. I wanted the very best for her. I wanted to give her the world, and I wanted to spend my life with her. In a matter of weeks, I’d gotten a taste of that, and I was well aware that I’d only scratched the surface of what life would be like with her.

Maybe my mom was right.

Perhaps the biggest problem in all of this had been my lack of effort in communicating to Devyn exactly what she meant to me and where I wanted us to go.

I inhaled deeply and blew it out before I said, “I think I have to go and make a phone call.”

My mom grinned at me. “Before you go into it, Theo, make sure you’re prepared to fight her for her heart. Whatever you do, no matter how difficult it seems, don’t give up on her.”

I stood from the couch and promised, “I could never do that.”

Once she was standing in front of me, my mom wrapped her arms around me again and said, “It’s all going to work out.”

“I hope you’re right. Don’t you want to wish me luck before I leave?”

She loosened her hold on me, stepped back with a smile on her face, and answered, “You’ve never needed it.”

I smiled back at her, gave her a nod, and walked out feeling an overwhelming sense of determination and hope.

Today was the day I was going to fight to get my girl back in my life, and make sure she stayed there permanently.

EIGHTEEN

Devyn

“And if you know anyone who’s looking, please send them my way.”

“Will do. I’m glad you’re feeling better, Devyn. Take care.”

I disconnected the call and let out a deep sigh.

Another one gone.

It was only a matter of time before the bad luck started again. I knew it would happen; I just hadn’t anticipated it happening so soon.

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