J

I needed my things and I needed to sell my truck. It would never make it this far again. Kai had checked it out for me last week after it broke down and said he could temporarily fix it. The cost to fix everything that was wrong with it would cost more than I could afford to spend. Calling and asking Granny Q or Kai to ship my things and sell my truck seemed wrong. They deserved an explanation… or at least Granny Q did. She'd given me a roof, a bed and fed me for three weeks. I was going to have to go back to Sumit to get my stuff and say goodbye to Granny Q. Mino had given me a few days to get settled in before I started back to work.

Jisoo had taken off yesterday to take me to apply for Medicaid. It was time I saw a doctor but I would require insurance first. Today I had overheard her tell Bobby she looked forward to their date tonight. I'd been monopolizing all her time since she came and got me. I was beginning to feel like a lot of work. I hated that feeling. I could take a bus. It would be affordable and I wouldn't be a burden on Jisoo. I opened Jisoo's laptop to google the bus schedule.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I stopped my search for a bus station and went to open the door. Lisa standing there with her hands tucked into the front of her jeans and one of her tight tee shirts on was not what I'd been expecting. She reached up and pulled off her aviator sunglasses. I wished she'd kept them on. The silver color of her eyes in the sunshine was even more breathtaking than I remembered.

"Hey, I saw Jisoo at the clubhouse. She said you were here," Lisa explained. She was nervous. I'd never seen her nervous.

"Yeah… um Mino gave me a couple of days to get my things from Sumit before I start back to work."

"You've got to go get your things?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I left them there. I just brought an overnight bag with me. I hadn't exactly been planning on staying."

Lisa frowned. "So how are you going to get there? I don't see your truck."

"I was just about to google bus stations and see where the closest one to here is."

Lisa's frown deepened. "It's forty minutes away. All the way in Fort Walton Beach."

That wasn't as bad as I'd feared.

"A bus isn't safe Jennie. I don't like the idea of you taking a bus. Let me take you. Please. I'll get you there faster and I it's free. You could save your money."

Ride with her? All the way to Sumit and back? Was that a good idea?

"I don't know…" I trailed off because honestly I didn't know. My heart wasn't ready for that much Lisa.

"We don't even have to talk… or we can if you want. I'll let you choose the music and I won't complain."

If I went back with Lisa, then Kai wouldn't put up a fight. Or then again maybe he would. He could tell Lisa about the pregnancy. But would he? I'd never confirmed to Kai that I was pregnant.

"I know you can't forgive the lies and the hurt. I'm not asking you to. You know I'm sorry and if I could go back and change things I would. Please, Jennie, just as a friend who wants to help and keep you safe from crazy men who could hurt you on a bus, let me drive you."

I thought of how very unlikely it was that I'd get hurt on the bus. And then I thought about the fact I wasn't just keeping myself safe anymore. I had another life inside of me to protect.

"Okay. Yes. I'd like a ride."


Bobby was sprawled out in the large stuffed blue chair that sat in Jisoo's living room with his feet propped up on the ottoman and Jisoo curled up in his lap. I was on the sofa feeling like a science experiment as they both stared at me in confusion.

"So you're fine with Lisa taking you to Sumit tomorrow to get your things? I mean you don't feel weird or..." Jisoo trailed off.

It would be strange. It would also hurt just being near her but I needed a ride. Jisoo needed to work, not to take another day off to help me this week. "She offered. I needed a ride so I said yes."

"And it was that easy? Why am I not buying it?" Jisoo asked.

"Because she's leaving out the parts where Lisa begged and pleaded," Bobby said with a chuckle.

I pulled the afghan up over my shoulders. I was cold. I was cold a lot lately which was odd because it was summertime in Florida. "She didn't beg," I replied, feeling an urge to defend Lisa. Even if she did actually beg, it wasn't Bobby's business.

"Yeah, right. If you say so." Bobby took a drink of the sweet tea Jisoo had fixed him.

"It isn't our business. Leave her alone, Bob. We need to decide on what to do about the lease on this place ending in a week."

I wouldn't be here long. I'd told her that. Moving into the more expensive condo wasn't a good idea. My half of the rent wouldn't be covered after I left and she'd be left with all of it.

Bobby kissed Jisoo's hand and grinned at her. "I told you I'd take care of things. If you'd just let me." He winked at her and I turned my head away. I didn't want to watch them. Lisa and I had never been like that. Our relationship had been short. Intense and brief. I wondered what it would have felt like to have the freedom to curl up in Lisa's arms anytime I wanted. To know I was safe and that she loved me. We'd never had that chance.

"And I told you I'm not going to let you pay my rent. Sorry. New plan. Oh, Jennie, why don't we go apartment hunting tomorrow?"

A knock on the door interrupted me before I could agree. Then V opened the door and walked in.

"You did not just walk into my girl's apartment without permission. She could've been naked," Bobby snarled at V.

V rolled his eyes then flashed a smile in my direction. "I saw your car here, jackass. Calm down. I'm here to see if I can convince Jennie to take a walk with me."

"You trying to get your ass kicked?" Bobby asked

V smirked and then shook his head before looking back at me. "Come on Jennie, let's go take a walk and play catch up."

Had V been in on the lie? Surely he had known about it. I couldn't tell him no. Even if he had known he had also been the first nice person I'd met here. He'd filled my tank up with gas. He'd worried about me sleeping under the stairs. I nodded and stood up. "These two need some alone time anyway," I replied, glancing back at Jisoo. She was studying me closely. I gave her a reassuring smile and she appeared to relax.

"Don't leave on our account. We need to decide on where we're gonna live in a week," Jisoo said as I walked to the door.

"Y'all can talk about that later, Jisoo. Jennie's been gone for almost a month. You have to share," V replied, opening the door for me to walk outside.

"Lisa is gonna go apeshit," Bobby called out right before V closed the door muffling whatever it was Jisoo had started to say.

We walked down the stairs in silence. Once we were on the sidewalk I looked over at V. "Did you just miss me or is there something you want to say to me?" I asked.

V grinned. "I missed you. I've had to put up with Lisa's sulking ass. So trust me I missed the fuckin' hell outta you."

I could tell by his teasing tone he had wanted to make a joke. But thinking about Lisa being upset didn't make me smile. It just reminded me of everything. "Sorry," I mumbled. I wasn't sure what else to say to that.

"Just glad you're back."

I waited. I knew there was more he wanted to say. I could sense it. He was taking his time and I figured he was trying to decide exactly how to say whatever it was he wanted to say to me.

"I'm sorry about what happened. How it happened. And Rosé. She can come off as the world's biggest spoiled bitch but she's had a screwed up childhood. It warped her or something. If you'd lived with Georgianna as your mother you'd understand. Rosé, damn, her world was fucked. It isn't an excuse for her, just an explanation."

I didn't respond. I had nothing to say to that. I didn't feel sympathy of any kind for Rosé.

"Regardless of all that, what she did was wrong. How it was kept from you was really screwed up. I'm sorry I didn't say anything but honestly, I wasn't even aware you and Lisa had anything going until that night at the club when she lost it over the snails. I'd noticed she was attracted to you but so were most males in this town. I figured she was the one one who wouldn't make a move on you because of her loyalty to Rosé… and well, what you represented to the both of them." V stopped walking and I turned to look back at him.

"I've never seen her like this. Ever. It's like she's hollow. I can't get through to her. She doesn't smile. She doesn't even pretend to enjoy life anymore. She's different since you left. Even though she wasn't honest and it looks like she was just protecting Rosé… you two just didn't have enough time. Rosé has been her responsibility since she was a kid. That was all she knew. Then you came into her world and apparently rocked it overnight. If she'd had more time she would have told you. I know she would've. But she didn't. It wasn't fair to her. She was falling for this girl she had always thought had been the reason her sister was without a dad. Her belief system was changing but it was hard for her to work through it too."

I just stared at him. Not because I didn't agree. I had already worked through all this in my head. I understood what he was saying. The problem was… it didn't change things. Even if she had been going to tell me, it didn't change who she was or who Rosé was. What they represented to me. My mother's last three years on this earth had been hell while they lived in their fancy houses and flitted from one social event to the next. Their belief in the lies they told me was the one thing I didn't think I could ever get over.

"Damn. I'm probably butchering this to shit. I just wanted to talk to you and make sure you knew that Lisa… she needs you. She's sorry. And I don't think she's ever going to move on from you. If she tries to talk about it tomorrow at least hear her out."

"I've forgiven her, V. I just can't forget. What we were or what we were headed toward is over. It will never be again. I can't let it. My heart won't allow me to. But I'll always listen to her. I care about her."

V let out a weary sigh. "I guess that's better than nothing."

It was all I had to offer.


L

Jennie came walking out of Jisoo's apartment holding two cups of coffee before I could get out of the car. I opened my door and stepped out of the Range Rover. Her hair was loose and hanging down her back. I loved it like that. The shorts she had on barely covered up her legs and were going to make it hard to concentrate once she was sitting in my car. They would ride up her thighs. I tore my eyes off her legs and met her steady gaze. She was forcing a small smile.

"I brought you some coffee since you got out of bed so early for me. I know early isn't your thing." Her voice was unsure and soft as she spoke. It was going to be my mission to change that on this road trip. I wanted her comfortable with me again.

"Thank you," I replied with a smile I hoped eased her nerves as I opened the passenger side door for her. I'd been unable to sleep since three this morning. I was anxious. I was pretty sure I had gone through two pots of coffee since then. I wasn't about to tell her that though. She'd brought me coffee. A real smile tugged on my lips as I closed her door and headed back to my side.

She was holding her cup up close to her mouth taking small sips when I glanced over at her. "If you want music, I promised it was all yours," I reminded her. She didn't move but a smile lifted the corners of her lips.

"Thanks. Trust me, I remember. I'm okay right now. You can listen to something if you want to. I need to wake up first."

I didn't care about the radio. I just wanted to talk to her. What we talked about wasn't important. Talking to her was all I cared about.

"So, what's the plan? Does Kai know we're coming to get your things?" I asked.

She shifted in her seat and I forced myself to keep my eyes on the road and not her legs. "No. I wanted to explain to him and his grandmother, Granny Q, about this. I also need to convince him to sell my truck for me and send me the money. It won't make it back out here again. It's in bad shape."

Her truck was old. The idea that she wouldn't be riding around in it was a relief. However, I wasn't crazy about her not having a vehicle. How the hell I was supposed to fix that I didn't know. She would never take a car from me. Maybe her truck could be fixed and made safe.

"I could take it in and have it checked out while you're packing up. Could be it just needs a couple things done to it."

She sighed. "Thanks but don't bother. Kai already took it in and had it checked. He had them fix it up so I could get around town but he said it was a temporary fix. It needs more work than I can afford."

I gripped the steering wheel tighter. The idea that Kai had been taking care of her drove me insane. I hated that he'd been the one to have her truck checked out. That it was his family that helped her when she needed it most. Mine had fucked her life up. I wasn't there for her to call when she needed help.

"So are you and Kai...?" What the hell was I asking? Were they what? Fuck. I didn't want to hear this.

"We are friends, Lisa. We have been all our life. My feelings about him haven't changed."

I eased my grip on the steering wheel and ran one of my sweaty palms on my jeans. Damn, she drove me crazy. If I was going to ease her back into being comfortable with me I needed to calm down. That was going to start with me not beating the shit outta Kai when I saw him.

Before I could say anything else Jennie leaned forward and turned on the radio. She found a country station on my satellite radio and then leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. I had pried too much. She was politely asking me to shut up. I could take the hint.

Thirty minutes of silence passed before my phone rang. Rosé's name appeared on the screen in my dash. Damn iPhone was programmed to my car. Normally that came in handy and made things hands free. But having Jennie see Rosé's name wasn't cool. I hadn't wanted a reminder. My plan was to make this day reminder free. I clicked ignore and the radio started playing again.

I didn't look over at Jennie but I felt her eyes on me. It was real hard not to meet her gaze.

"You could have talked to her. She's your sister," She said so softly I almost missed it over the music.

"She is. But she represents things I don't want you thinking about today."

Jennie didn't stop looking at me. It was taking all my strength to keep this casual. Jerking the car over and grabbing her face and telling her how important she was and how much I loved her wasn't what she needed right now.

"I'm better, Lisa. I've had time to take everything in. Deal with it. I'll see her at the club. I'm prepared for that. You're helping me today. You could be doing anything else but you chose to take the day to help me. I don't want to keep you from taking phone calls from people you care about. I won't break."

Fuck. So much for keeping this casual and easy. I pulled over onto the side of the road and slammed the Rover into park. I kept my hands to myself but I gave my full attention to Jennie. "I chose to take you today because there is nothing I'd rather do than be near you. I'm driving you because I'm a desperate woman who will take whatever the hell she can get when it comes to you." I broke down and reached over to run my thumb over her cheekbone then into the silky hair I'd been fascinated with since I'd first laid eyes on her. "I will do anything. Anything, Jennie, just to be near you. I can't think about anything else. I can't focus on anything. So never think you're inconveniencing me. You need me, I'm there." I stopped. I sounded pathetic even to my own ears. Dropping my hand from her head I shifted the Rover into gear and pulled back onto the road.

Jennie didn't say anything. I didn't blame her. I'd sounded like a crazy man. She was probably scared of me now. Hell, I would be.


J

My heart was beating so hard I was sure she could hear it. This had been a bad idea. Being near her was so confusing. It was easy to forget who she was. Having her touch me, even if it was just my face, made me feel like crying. I wanted more than that. I missed her. Everything about her and I'd be lying if the idea of being this close to her all day hadn't kept me up most of the night.

Lisa turned the radio back up when I didn't say anything. I should say something after that but what? How did I respond to that without just causing us both more pain? Telling her I missed her and I wanted her wouldn't make this easier. It would just be harder.

This time when the phone rang the computer looking screen in her car flashed the name "V." Lisa pressed some button and then picked up her cell phone.

"Hey," she said into the phone. I chanced a glance over at her since her focus was no longer on me. The hard frown lines in her face made me sad. I didn't want them there.

"Yeah. We're on our way," she replied into the phone. "Don't think that's a good idea. I'll call you when I'm back." Her jaw clenched and I knew whatever V was saying was making her mad. "I said no," she growled and ended the call before tossing it into her cup holder.

"You okay?" I asked before I could think that through.

She jerked her head over to look at me. It was as if she was startled that I was talking to her. "Uh, yeah. I'm fine," she replied in a much calmer tone then turned her eyes back on the road.

I waited a few minutes then decided to say something about what she'd said to me. If I didn't start talking about this with her we would always have this awkward silence between us. Even if I left in four months and never saw her again… No, I'd see her again. I would have to, wouldn't I? Could I really never tell her about this baby? I pushed that back. I hadn't even been to the doctor yet. I'd cross that bridge when we got to it. Even if I had thrown up again this morning when I'd opened the trash compactor and gotten a whiff of the left over fried fish Bobby had tossed last night. I wasn't normally so sensitive. The hot ginger tea I'd been drinking when Lisa picked me up had helped ease my stomach. I could pretend like that pregnancy test was wrong or face the truth.

"About what you said. I, uh, I don't really know how to respond to that. I mean, I know how I feel and how I wish things were different but they aren't. I want us to… I want us to find a way to be friends… maybe. I don't know. That sounds so lame. After everything," I stopped because my attempt at talking to her about this was sounding like a rambling mess. How could we be friends? That had been how all this started and here I was in love with and pregnant by a woman I could not build a future with.

"I'll be whatever you allow me to be, Jennie. Just don't shut me out again. Please."

I nodded. Okay. I'd give this friends thing time. Then… then I would tell her about the baby. She was either going to run like hell or want to be a part of our baby's life. Either way I needed time to prepare. Because I would not let my child have anything to do with her family, ever. It was out of the question. I hated liars… but I was about to become one for awhile. This time it was me that had a secret to keep.

"Okay," I replied but didn't say more. My eyes were growing heavy and the lack of sleep from last night and the fact I couldn't drink caffeine to wake me up was getting to me. I closed my eyes.

"Easy, sweet Jennie. Your head is falling over and you're gonna have one helluva cramp in your neck. I'm just laying your seat back." A deep warm whisper tickled my ear and I shivered. I turned toward it but I was still so sleepy I couldn't wake up completely. Something soft brushed my lips then I fell back into my dreams.


"You need to wake up, sleepyhead. I'm here but I have no idea where to go," Lisa's voice accompanied by her hand gently squeezing my arm woke me. I rubbed my eyes and opened them. I was laying back. I looked over at Lisa and she smiled.

"I couldn't let you jack up your neck. Besides, you were sleeping so hard I wanted you to be comfortable." She unbuckled and reached across me to fiddle with a button on the side of my seat. It slowly eased back up and I could see the one traffic light in Sumit, Alabama in front of me.

"I'm so sorry. I slept the whole way. That had to be a boring ride."

"I got to control the radio so it wasn't a bust," Lisa replied with a smirk and then looked back at the traffic light. "Where do I go from here?"

"Straight until you see the large wooden sign that is painted red and says 'Fresh Produce and Firewood for Sale' and then take a left. It'll be the third house on the right but it's about a mile and a half down that road. The road will turn into gravel after about a quarter mile."

Lisa followed my directions and we didn't say much. I was still waking up and my stomach was feeling queasy. I hadn't eaten yet and I knew that was the problem. I had saltine crackers in my purse that Jisoo had given me but popping one of those in my mouth in front of Lisa was a bad idea. Saltines were a major giveaway.

By the time we pulled into Granny Q's driveway I had broken into a cold sweat. I was going to be sick if I didn't eat something. I opened the door to get out before Lisa could see my face. I was probably green or pale at the very least.

"You want me to go with you or is it best if I stay here?" she asked.

"Oh, um… maybe you should stay here," I replied. Kai's truck was here so that meant he probably was too. I didn't want Lisa and Kai getting into any more fights. I also didn't trust Kai to keep his mouth shut about the pregnancy tests. I closed the car door and headed for the house.

Kai opened the screen door and stepped outside before I even made it to the bottom step. His face was a mixture of worry and anger. "Why's she here? She brought you home, now she can leave," Kai snarled, looking past me toward Lisa. Yeah, it was a real good idea for Lisa to stay in the car. My stomach rolled and I fought back the nausea.

"Because she's giving me a ride back. Calm down, Kai. You have no fight with her. You're my friend. She's my friend. Let's you and I take this inside. I need to get my things."

Kai stepped back and let me pass him then he followed me inside letting the screen slam shut behind him.

"What do you mean you're going back with her? That test come back positive? You running back to her now even though she broke your heart so bad you came here three weeks ago a mess? I'll take care of you Jennie. You know that."

I held up my hands to stop him. "This isn't about me being pregnant, Kai. She is a friend who gave me a ride. Yes, we were more before… things happened but now we're not. I'm not running to her. I am getting my job back in Rosemary and living with Jisoo for a while. Then I'll go somewhere else and start over. I just can't keep staying here."

"Why can't you stay here? Hell Jennie, I'll marry you today. No questions asked. I love you. More than life. You gotta know that. I messed up when we were younger and that thing with Krystal, she don't mean nothin'. She's just a girl who distracts me. You're all I want. I've been telling you that for years. Please listen to me," he was begged.

"Kai, stop this. You're my friend. What we had died a long time ago. I walked in on you doing things to another girl you shouldn't have been. That night everything changed. I love you but I am not in love with you and I never will be again. I need to pack and I need to move on with my life."

Kai slammed his hand against the wall. "Don't say that! It isn't over. You can't just run off on your own. It isn't safe!" He paused. "Are you pregnant?" he asked.

I didn't answer. Instead, I walked back to the room I'd been staying in while I was here and started packing my suitcase. "You are," he said, following me into the room.

I didn't respond. I just focused on my things. "Does she know? Is the rock star's daughter gonna take responsibility? She's lying, J. The baby will get here and she will run. She won't be able to handle it. A baby doesn't fit into her life. You know that. Hell, the world knows that. She might as well be a rock star herself. I saw her beach house. That ain't someone that'll be there when things get tough. They don't stick it out. I may have screwed up but I won't run. I'll always be here."

I spun around. "She doesn't know, okay. I'm not sure I'll even tell her. I don't want someone to save me. I can do this. I'm not helpless."

He started to open his mouth to argue when Granny Q walked into the room. I hadn't realized she was here.

"Stop begging her, Kai. You done made your bed boy, go lie in it. She moved on. Her heart has moved on. She's done shown us all she can go to school and take care of her sick momma and herself." She looked from Kai to me and a sad smile touched her lips.

"Breaks my heart that you got another hurdle like this to leap so young and this room is yours if you need it. But if you're set on leaving then I bless that too. You just be safe." She walked over and pulled me into a hug. "I love you like you're my own. Always have," she whispered into my hair.

Tears stung my eyes. "I love you too."

She pulled back and sniffed. "You keep in touch," she said and started to leave then glanced back at me. "She deserves to know she has a baby. Even if she ain't gonna be a part of its life she needs to know about it. You just keep that in mind."

She walked out of the room leaving Kai and I alone again. I put the last of my things in my suitcase and zipped it shut. Grabbing the handle, I picked it up. My nausea had gotten worse. I covered my mouth with one hand.

"Shit, J. You can't do that. Give it to me. You're not supposed to pick up heavy stuff. See, you can't do this. Who is gonna make sure you take care or yourself?"

The best friend I'd had all my life was back and the crazy boy who thought he was in love and ready to sacrifice his life was gone. "I told Jisoo. She knows and I'm careful. I wasn't thinking. This is all new for me. And I think I'm gonna be sick."

"What can I do?" he asked with a panicked look on his face.

"Crackers would help."

He set the suitcase down and ran out of the room to get me crackers. He was back in less than a minute with a box of saltines and a glass. "Granny Q heard you. She already had the box out and a glass of ginger ale poured. She said the ale would soothe your stomach."

"Thank you," I replied and sat down on the bed to eat a cracker and sip on the ginger ale. Neither of us spoke. My nausea began to ease away and I had learned from experience to stop eating then. Too much and I'd be seeing it again very soon. Standing up, I handed the box and glass back to Kai.

"Just put it down. I'll get it later." He picked up my suitcase. "Give me that box too. You can't carry it," he said picking up the box of things I hadn't unpacked from my last move. I pulled the last small bag up on my arm and he started for the door without another word. I followed him praying he didn't do something stupid when he saw Lisa.

We got to the screen door leading out onto the front porch and he stopped. Putting the suitcase down he turned back to look at me.

"You don't have to go with her. I told you that I could fix this. You have me, J. You've always had me."

Kai believed what he was saying. I could see it in his face. But I knew better. If I needed a friend, Kai would be there but he was no one's savior. I didn't need one anyway. I had myself.

I pulled my bag up higher on my shoulder and thought carefully about how to explain this to him one more time. I'd tried everything. He wouldn't understand the truth. Bringing up how he had failed me when my mom was sick and I was so alone would only hurt him. "I need to do this."

Kai let out a frustrated growl and ran his hand through his hair. "You don't trust me to take care of you. That hurts so damn much." He let out a defeated laugh. "But then why should you? I let you down before. With your mom… I was a kid, J. How many times do I have to tell you that things are different now? I know what I want. I… God, J, I want you. It's always been you."

A lump formed in my throat. Not because I loved him but because I did care for him. Kai was a big part of my life. He had been for as long as I could remember. I closed the distance between us and reached out for his hand. "Please, understand. This is something I have to do. I have to face this. Let me go."

Kai let out a weary sigh. "I'm always letting you go, J. You've asked that of me before. I keep trying but it's slowly destroying me."

One day he would thank me for leaving him. "I'm sorry, Kai. But I need to go. She's waiting on me."

Kai picked the suitcase back up and opened the screen door with his shoulder. Lisa stepped out of the Rover as soon as she saw us. "Don't say anything to her, Kai." I whispered.

Kai nodded and I followed him down the steps. Lisa met us at the bottom and looked up at me. "Is this all your stuff?" she asked.

"Yeah," I replied.

Kai didn't make a move to give her the suitcase and box. A muscle in Lisa's jaw jumped and I knew she was trying really hard to be good.

"Give her the stuff, Kai," I said, nudging him in the back.

Kai sighed and handed the box and suitcase to Lisa who took both items and headed for the Rover.

"You need to tell her," Kai muttered when he turned around to look at me.

"I will, eventually. I need to think it through."

Kai looked past me toward my truck. "You leaving your truck?"

"I was hoping you might could stick it up at the bodyshop and put a for sale sign on it. Maybe get a thousand out of it. Then you could keep half and send me the other half."

Kai frowned. "I'll sell the truck, J, but I ain't taking no money. I'll send it all."

I didn't argue with him. He needed to be able to do this and I'd let him. "Okay, fine. But could you give Granny Q some of it at least? For letting me stay here and all."

Kai's eyebrows shot up. "You want my Granny to ride her ass down to Rosemary to tan your hide?"

Smiling, I closed the distance between us and holding onto his shoulders I stood on my tiptoes and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, for everything," I whispered.

"You can come back if you need me. Always." His voice cracked and I knew I needed to go. I stepped back and nodded once before walking to the Rover.

Lisa had the door open on the passenger side when I got there and she closed it behind me. I watched as she looked back at Kai before going and getting in on her side. I was really doing this. Letting go of what was safe and taking the first move in finding my place in the world.