As soon as I pull up to my dorm, I get a text from Courtney.
Courtney: Drinks tonight?
Viola: How about I watch you drink? I’m not in the mood. I have to start packing.
Courtney: DEAL! Be there in an hour, after I ditch my family.
I walk inside with the roses and card. I place the flowers in a vase and lean against the counter and look around at everything I’m leaving. After a few more minutes, I go to my room to make sure I didn’t forget to pack anything. The few boxes stacked against the wall will be shipped to my new apartment on Monday. Other than a few more books and clothes, everything is ready to go. But it’s easy moving when most of the furniture is screwed to the wall and floor.
It’s funny how time seems to crawl by, but then in a blink of an eye, it’s like years have passed. College has been my life for the last four years, and it’s bittersweet to be leaving, to be opening a new chapter in my life.
A pound on the door lets me know Courtney has arrived, and I can’t help but shake my head as I rush to the door. When I open it, she’s still wearing the tight little black dress she had on under her graduation gown and high heels that make her tower over me.
“Well, come on, I need a stiff drink after dealing with the Beverly Hillbillies. Oh, you didn’t know they came from Texas to California?”
I laugh. “I’m sure they’re not that bad.”
She playfully rolls her eyes and steps inside, noticing the flowers on the counter. “Oh my God. You got roses? Seriously? From who?”
My eyes meet hers, and I don’t even have to say. She immediately knows.
“Maybe you should talk to him?”
“No team Traviola talk tonight.” My words come out harsher than I intend them to. Court gives me a small smile and nods her head. Ever since that night, I haven’t been able to talk about him, but the whole out-of-sight, out-of-mind thing is total bullshit. Often, when I’m alone, I find myself wondering what he’s doing, and I’m so tempted to text him, but I don’t. My heart is so ready to betray my mind, but I can’t. I need to focus on my future while learning to be alone.
“Come on.” Courtney loops her arms with mine and drags me to the Jeep. I’m going to miss this so damn much, and it makes me sad that she won’t be able to capture me whenever she wants. As she starts it, she bends down and yanks off her heels, throwing them in the back seat. “Those fucking heels…”
The top is down, and the wind is blowing through my hair. Courtney is singing at the top of her lungs, driving way too fast, and all I can do is smile.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“Cheesecake Factory?”
“You must want to make it to second base tonight.” I joke with her because this is where all the college guys bring their girlfriends for date night when they want brownie points to redeem later at night.
She pulls into the parking lot and reaches in the back for her heels. “If we were in Texas, I’d just go barefoot.”
“You’re ridiculous.” I laugh.
“It happens all the time. You have no idea.”
We walk inside, and she leads me straight to the bar. Before she even sits down, she’s ordering a martini. I order a water and a piece of Godiva chocolate cheesecake. Chocolate fixes all wounds.
“What are you going to do now?” I ask her when the waiter slides the slice of heaven in front of me. She grabs my fork and takes a bite. “Yup, died and went to heaven.” She smiles, but then frowns. “Honestly?”
I nod.
“I have no idea. Just thought I’d kind of wing it. My lease doesn’t end until the end of the year.” She shrugs. “Not sure.”
“You stress me out.” I laugh. “Your grades were nearly perfect. You could get a job anywhere.”
She nudges me. “Your grades were perfect. I’ll just live life vicariously through you.”
After she finishes my cheesecake and her drink, we both start yawning. Who would have thought graduation would be so tiring? We drive back to my dorm, and before I get out, I turn and look at her. This overwhelming sense of sadness takes control, and I lean over and give her a side hug. Courtney unbuckles and pulls me into a big hug and wraps both arms around me. I laugh, thinking about how much we look like lovers, but it’s not even like that. She’s the sister I always wished I had.
“I’m going to miss the fuck out of you, Lola.”
“I’m going to miss you too, Court.”
“Who’s going to keep me sane when you’re gone?” We pull apart.
“Maybe I’ll get Drew to,” I say with a smile.
Her eyes widen, and I get out of the Jeep. “Don’t you dare tease me like that!”
“Who said I was teasing? Bye!”
She smiles and reverses the Jeep so hard the tires squeal. I hear Taylor Swift blaring in the distance, and I know that it might be the last time we get to hang out before I leave. I’m still questioning if leaving is the right choice, but I hope to God it is.
Chapter 14
Travis
Another dreadful day at the office has me second-guessing returning early in the first place. I feel fine, but the awkward tension between Blake and me is undeniable. Alyssa walks by my office, licks her lips, and pulls her skirt up just before walking off.
I know the two of them are still plotting something against me, especially now that Alyssa is officially the Director of Global Sales. I’m so tired of their shit that I’ve been thinking more and more about my mother’s idea of starting my own small marketing firm. The thought scares the shit out of me, but I know it’d be a great investment for my future, and the more I think about Viola being my future, the more I want to make the best of it.
I call my mom on my way home from work, ready to talk about this business opportunity. It’s been a good way to bond without talking about the elephant in the room—my father’s cancer—and whether I’m going to visit him anytime soon.
The verdict: undecided.
“If you need a loan for the start-up costs, my offer still stands,” she tells me again.
“I know, Mom, and I appreciate that. I just think this is something I need to do myself. Grown-up stuff, you know?”
“You may be a twenty-four-year-old man, but you’ll always be my little boy, Travis.”
I smile and shake my head even though she can’t see me. “I know.”
Once I pull into the driveway, we say our goodbyes, and I’m actually relieved to see that Drew is home already. It’s been over a week since I’ve seen Viola after her graduation ceremony, and between work and Gryff, I’ve stayed plenty busy, but I still miss her like crazy. Things haven’t exactly smoothed over between Drew and me either. I hate all the tension between us, but I’m hoping we can resolve that soon. I betrayed his trust, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to fix that. On the other hand, I’m worried Viola and I will never be the same again.
As soon as I open the door, Gryff runs to me and starts licking my face immediately. I pet his head and back before setting him back down.