Within minutes, my computer screen lit up with the four faces of my best friends. My constants. My safe place.
I filled them in on all that had happened.
Coco squealed, Addy and Gigi cried, and Maura grasped her chest as a grin spread clear across her face.
“Wow. Ty is bringing his A-game,” Gigi said with a chuckle.
“So, what do I do? He’s leaving in ten days. He made it clear that he isn’t coming back here. His life is elsewhere. On the road. I have The Wedding Bells that I’ve committed to. Am I making a huge mistake doing this?” I slumped over and rested my face in my hands.
This was going to end badly. I didn’t want to go another five years without seeing him, and I sure as hell didn’t want to go back to hating him.
But hating him proved easier than loving him did.
Maybe we could find a new normal, where we were friends after this. We could keep in touch. But would anyone I ever met in the future be okay with this arrangement? Of me loving another man from afar and settling for one who could give me the future that I wanted so badly.
I’d gotten a taste of Ty Greene once again, and now nothing would compare just like it hadn’t for five long years.
“Listen. First and foremost, your vagina is back in the game. Hal-la-freaking-lujah! He’s brought you back to life, and it’s about damn time. I vote for you and your vagina just enjoying the time that you have with him,” Coco purred, and I rolled my eyes.
“It’s going to hurt like hell when he leaves.”
“I’m kind of with Coco on this one. It’s been hurting for five years without him. Why not give yourself this gift? He’s made it clear that you’re the only girl he’s ever loved, so it sounds like a gift for both of you. And you never know, things could change,” Addy said, as she picked up her iced tea and took a drink.
“Well, I can’t move. I just bought a house and a business. And Ty doesn’t ever want to settle down. He doesn’t want kids. I mean, it’s crazy that we haven’t seen each other in five years, and we’re talking about this stuff. But he’s right… we want different things.”
“He’s being honest, and he did ask you to go with him, which means he wants to be with you too. He clearly loves you,” Maura said as she tapped her finger to her lips and thought it over some more. “I’m with them. Let’s just see where this goes. Don’t overthink it.”
I groaned. “He can’t love me that much. He’s not willing to do anything to make it work. And I certainly can’t uproot my life for a boy who left me five years ago, even if his reasons are sad and heartbreaking. It’s been one day. I can’t throw away every dream I’ve ever had just because he came to visit.”
“He’s here,” Gigi said. “He’s laid it all out there for you. You can’t ask for more. And… Ive, you’re glowing. It’s nice to see you so happy. I’m with the girls. Just embrace the next ten days. Enjoy this time with him.”
“Hashtag, vagina goals.” Coco wriggled her brows, and everyone laughed.
“I can’t believe that our mothers said that crap and he overheard it. It’s so horrible. He was at such a low point and that had to hurt so bad. At least you were able to talk to your mom and she is truly remorseful. My mother will most likely stand by her judgmental opinion,” Addy hissed, and we all nodded in agreement.
What happened was very much in character for Savannah Edington, but my mom was a bleeding heart. I saw the regret the moment that I told her. I didn’t doubt for a minute that she would do all that she could to fix it.
But the damage had already been done. Ty and I had taken different paths. And even though our paths were going to cross for a couple days, it still didn’t feel like enough.
Because only forever would be enough for me.
And he didn’t have that to offer.
Chapter Twelve
Ty
“When you find the other half of your heart, never stop fighting for it.” Addy, 12th grade
After leaving Ivy’s place and stopping by Violet’s florals, I went back to the hotel to shower. I was going to pick up Sebastian and take him to the park. I’d given the kid my cell number because apparently everyone had their own phones these days, even five-year-old kids. He’d texted and said he was with his nanny today and asked if I’d want to come get him and go to the park. It pissed me off. My father worked, and he’d always been a selfish prick. But Shayla, she was a stay-at-home mom, yet she spent no time with the little dude. I’d already put two and two together from the shit I’d heard around town, and Sebastian was always with Loretta. It pissed me off. The kid was lonely.
I’d recognize lonely a mile away.
Been there, done that.
I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, most especially this little guy who I actually liked.
The first year after I left Willow Springs had been some of the loneliest days of my life. I’d kept in touch with my childhood best friend Alec, but he’d gone a bit off the deep end our senior year after he and Addy broke up. He’d put his life back together slowly, but becoming a new dad that year unexpectedly had kept him real busy.
Jett had stepped up after I left as we’d become close that year. But even he was attending his first year at TU and playing football like the rock star that he was. Everyone had moved on with their lives during that time, and I’d been at a standstill. Trying to make ends meet for my mom. Trying to keep her head above water. Walking away from the girl that owned my heart, who also happened to be my best friend.
Lonely doesn’t even do those days justice. It had been a living hell. My life had been completely flipped upside down. So yeah, I was going to be there for Sebastian while I was home.
I texted my driver and asked him to pull the car around just as someone knocked on my hotel room door.
“I’m heading out right now,” I shouted as I grabbed my sunglasses and my wallet, assuming housekeeping was anxious to get in here. When I pulled the door open, I was stunned to see Mimsy Baron standing on the other side of the door with puffy eyes and a trembling bottom lip. Ivy’s mother and I had always been close. The Barons were more like a second family to me back then.
But I’d gone into survival mode and found a way to come out the other side still breathing.
“Mimsy,” I said, as I pushed the door open and invited her in. “Are you okay?”
She lunged herself at me and wrapped her arms around me as she broke out in a fit of tears. I wrapped my arms around her and patted her back.
“I’m sorry, Ty. I’m so sorry.” She sobbed. “I remember that day now. I just sat out in the car trying to recall that shameful conversation. I didn’t mean the things that I said. The gossip was rampant, and I reacted so poorly. I’m ashamed that you heard what I said. I promise you that I regretted those words shortly after they left my mouth and long before I realized you’d heard them.”