She doesn’t say that final half, however she doesn’t should.

Now I get it. She’s eager about how her mother left, supposedly for a summer season, and by no means got here again once more aside from random visits. She all however deserted her daughter, and like Lucy stated…it occurred slowly.

She doesn’t need that ache once more. And I get it. However she’s not being honest. I’m standing right here, attempting to decide to her, to this, and he or she’s appearing prefer it’s nothing. “Lucy,” I say softly, reaching for her hand. However she doesn’t give it to me. I sigh, frustration clinging to the sides. “I’m not your mother. This isn’t the identical.”

“Isn’t it, although?”

“No. It’s not.”

“Even when it’s not, it’s clear to see that we would like various things. And that’s not simply one thing one in every of us can compromise on.”

Is that the crux of it, then? As a lot as I take care of her—as a lot as I need to make this work—is it actually so unimaginable? She needs to be right here. I’ve to be in Los Angeles.

I need to be in Los Angeles.

Don’t I? It’s what I’ve wished for therefore lengthy. Can I actually even contemplate giving it as much as be right here along with her? What if issues didn’t work out between us? Would I nonetheless be pleased right here, working my meals truck enterprise, dwelling close to my sister?

I rub my brow. “I would like time to assume.”

“Time’s up, Blake. You made positive of that once you determined to depart sooner than deliberate with out speaking to me about it first.” She cocks her head. “I actually do want you effectively, and I’m not mad, okay? Simply unhappy. However let’s half as associates this time.” She’s whispering now. “I don’t assume I may bear to be your enemy once more.”

After which, she’s slipping from the room, leaving me with a hole ache I don’t know what to do with. So I do the one factor I can.

I head to the kitchen…and begin to prepare dinner.

* * *

Perhaps Dad was proper.

Love is a distraction. As a result of the final 4 days with out Lucy in them have been depressing, and regardless of a number of calls with Dale, I can’t take into consideration a lot else than her.

“Earth to Blake.”

I snap my head round from the place I’m standing in entrance of a dart board, holding a number of darts in my hand. Jordan’s subsequent to a fridge in his storage, which he’s reworked into the final word “man cave”—boasting a black sofa and TV, pool desk, and audio system connected within the corners.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“You need one thing to drink?” With the fridge door propped open, Jordan holds up a Dr. Pepper in a single hand and a Eating regimen Coke within the different.

“Certain, I’ll take the Dr. Pepper.” Lucy would tease me about that selection—to her, Eating regimen Coke is the be all and finish all of sodas.

Aw, man. Even right here, at a last-minute guys’ evening, I can’t escape the considered her.

Jordan flicks a have a look at Frederick and Landon, who’re engaged in a aggressive recreation of pool. “How about you guys?”

Landon’s received on his customary outfit of denims, a black T-shirt, and his devoted Stetson, whereas Frederick has lengthy ditched the black fits I hear he used to put on when he was Chloe’s bodyguard for fitness center shorts and a tee.

They each wave him off, too targeted on their recreation. Landon’s taunting Frederick, and Frederick is all narrowed imaginative and prescient and focus.

Shrugging, Jordan shuts the fridge and carries the drinks to me. He arms me the Dr. Pepper and takes the Eating regimen Coke for himself, popping the highest and taking a swig earlier than setting it on a cocktail desk close to the dart board.

“Thanks, man.” I chug my very own soda, letting the carbonation burn a path down my throat. “And thanks for inviting me over. I undoubtedly wanted the distraction.”

“I’m positive you’ve received rather a lot to do earlier than leaving in a couple of days.” Jordan picks up a couple of pink darts from the desk. “You gonna be busy tomorrow with all of the competition prep?” He squares up with the dart board, eases his arm again, and launches one. His dart lands on one of many exterior rings.

“Not likely. I already purchased all of the provides for the burgers and arranged all of the stock, and Tiny and I are going to tag-team cooking burgers the day of since his journey to go to his nephew received postponed. As for the remainder, Thomas is caring for the brownies, and Lucy’s doing the whole lot else. Chips, drinks, recruiting volunteers to run the meals tent, that kind of factor. I feel she’s been serving to Chloe with a bunch of different non-food associated stuff too.” Or so I’ve heard by way of the grapevine of Marilee.

“Makes me glad I’m solely in command of the volleyball event.” Jordan sinks one other dart into the board, this one nearer to heart.

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