"The one on the golf course? Mom, that place costs a fortune."
"It costs far less than it would cost for me to stay in the house."
"Yeah, but there's cheaper places than that. A LOT cheaper."
"Brad, you know how this works. I have an image to uphold. Even though your father and I are divorcing, I still need to appear as though he's supporting me in the way I'm accustomed. We can't have people thinking he's no longer successful. It could harm his career."
"And the gambling addiction hasn't already done that?"
"Very few people know about that. We've told everyone that the divorce, along with you and your brother leaving home, is the reason we're downsizing."
"So you're spending my college money to keep up appearances," Brad says, sounding annoyed and angry.
"And to support your father's career, when he's able to return to work."
"So it's about alimony. You want to make sure you get a big check every month."
John bursts up from his chair. "Brad, that's enough! Go to your room and pack your bags. We'll be leaving first thing in the morning. You and I will drive the car and your mother will be flying home."
Brad stands up to face his father. "I'm not going anywhere. I have a job here. And a girlfriend. I'm not leaving to go clean up your mess."
"This isn't about me. It's about your mother. You're all she has, and she needs you."
"Please, Brad," his mother says, sniffling. "Your father goes to the facility on Monday. The real estate agent is coming over in the afternoon. I can't do this on my own. I need you."
Brad looks back at me.
"You should go," Nate says to him. "Family first. Isn't that what you always say?"
"Stay out of this," Brad snaps.
I get up and take Brad's hand. "Let's go outside."
When we're out of the house, Brad says, "I'm not doing it. I'm not cleaning up his mess. I left there to get away from it. I'm not going back."
"Brad, I know you don't want to do this, but I think you should. Did you see your mom in there? She's breaking down. She's skin and bones. She was practically shaking when your dad was telling you they took your college money."
"And yet she doesn't feel bad about moving into a luxury condo."
"Okay, but she's still your mom, and she needs you."
"So then what happens with us?" He takes my hands in his. "Things are going so great with us. We don't have to hide anymore. We were going to move in together."
"And we still will. Just not when we planned." I reach up and kiss him. "I love you, Brad, and that's not going to change if you go home and help your mom. If anything, it'll make me love you even more."
"God, you're amazing." His hand cups my face, his thumb brushing over my cheek as he gazes at me. "Not many girls would tell their boyfriend to leave town to go help his mom."
I smile. "Guess I have a soft spot for moms."
"You do. And you're going to be a great one yourself someday. You have such a big heart. I would've given up on your mom a long time ago if I were you."
"Most people would, but I can't do it. Not yet."
"So you really want me to go?"
"I want you to make the decision, but if you're asking for my opinion, I think you should go. While you're gone, we'll talk on the phone, text, and maybe you could make it back here some weekend."
"Yeah. Definitely."
"Then it's settled. You're going."
He sighs, resting his head on mine. "I don't want to leave you."
"I don't want that either. But this isn't the end. It's just a short break. You'll help your mom and then we'll figure out what to do next." I look up at him. "It'll work out. It always does."
He softly smiles. "I don't know what idiot told you that, but I hope he's right."
"I'm choosing to believe he is," I say, my voice cracking. "It's the only way I can say goodbye to you."
He hugs me. "This isn't goodbye. I'm just going away for a little while. I'll be back. I promise."
I nod, tears falling as I try to memorize how it feels to be in his arms, not sure when—or if—I'll ever feel this again.
"I love you," Brad says, holding me tighter.
"I love you, too."
He pulls back, his eyes on mine. "This isn't the end for us. Everything will work out. It always does. Remember that, okay?"
"Yeah." I attempt to smile. "I should go."
"Come back inside. You don't have to leave."
"I can't stay. Staying just makes it harder. I need to go."
He takes my hand and walks me to my truck. "I'll call you tomorrow from the road."
"Yeah." I nod. "Okay."
"Riley, look at me." He lifts my chin up. "I love you. That won't change, no matter how far apart we are."
"I'll still miss you," I say, wiping my eyes.
He pulls me into his arms. "I'll miss you too."
We remain in the hug for several minutes before he lets me go.
"See ya soon," he says, giving me a wave as he walks away.
"Yeah. See ya."
I want to believe I will, but I have a feeling I won't.
That night, I cry myself to sleep and dream of Brad and I living together in a small house on the beach. I wake up feeling even sadder that the dream will never happen.
He's gone. He left. And I don't know if he'll be back.
"Hey, sugar," my mom says as I come out of my room in the morning. She's in her robe, holding a cup of coffee.
"Hey," I mumble as I go past her to the kitchen.
She follows me. "What's wrong?"
"I don't want to talk about it." I open the fridge. There's nothing in there except a carton of expired milk and a can of beer. "Do we have any food?"
"There's some chips in the cupboard." She goes around me and takes them out.
"I don't want chips. Just forget it." I sit at the kitchen table and stare at the peeling wallpaper.
My mom sits beside me, sipping her coffee. "What's wrong?"
"Brad left. He went home. Back to Arizona. His parents are divorcing and his mom needs help selling the house. It's a long story. I don't want to get into it."
"So you two broke up?"
"Not exactly. We said we'd stay together, but I get the feeling we won't. I don't know how we can when he's there and I'm here."
She puts her hand on my back. "Baby, I'm sorry." Her phone rings and she jumps up. "That's Lou. He's picking me up soon. We're going to the flea market."
"Mom, you can't buy anything. We don't have money."
"If I want something, Lou will buy it for me. He loves to spoil me." She smiles and sets her coffee cup in the sink. "I'm gonna go get ready. Get the door if he's early."
I wish she'd break up with this guy. He doesn't even say hello to me when I see him. I'm not even sure he talks. When he's here, he just watches TV and drinks. It makes me miss Dave. I don't know why my mom broke up with him. She wouldn't tell me.