Train Wreck

Chapter Eighteen: And if you don't love me now

And if you don't love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
You would never break the chain (never break the chain)

The Chain by Fleetwood Mac
*unedited* (word count:)

Audriana

Six long months of being on this island. Six long months of physical therapy. Six long months of not being able to see Matteo. We've spoken on the phone three times. I am going crazy. I want to leave. I want to go home.

"Valley just left for Italy so it is just us," Grace mutters from beside me.

I've been in the hammock rocking back and forth. I'm beyond sun-kissed at this point. I could pass as a burnt chocolate chip cookie.

"I met a guy last night," Grace whispers.

I look at her as she swings her legs back and forth off the end of the deck. She has slept with half of the island but has never mentioned any of the men to me. She's glowing. Maybe she has fully moved on.

"Go on," I reply.

"He is tall, handsome, and he looks like a total nerd," she replies. "He is the exact opposite of Gio."

"How long have you two been talking?" I ask.

"A few days," she murmurs.

"What do you know about him?" I ask.

"His name is Alex and he is from Oregon," she replies.

"Oregon," I mutter. "Nothing good comes from Oregon."

"Listen here, little miss Don't Mess With Texas, not everyone is out to kill us," she replies.

I turn and put my feet into the cool water. I grab onto the ladder and climb up without losing feeling in my legs. Grace stands up and smiles at me as she looks me up and down.

"Let's go get something to eat," Grace murmurs.

We go inside and into the kitchen. Laci, our chef, has made grilled cheeses and or macaroni and cheese. I sit down at the small table and start eating. Holden sets my phone in front of me before disappearing.

I pick up my phone and unlock it as notifications start coming through. A text message from Matteo pops up catching me off guard. I click on it making our messages pop up. I read his most recent message.

FROM Matteo: Hey.

TO Matteo: Hi.

FROM Matteo: What's up?

TO MATTEO: Eating lunch.

FROM Matteo: How is Grace?

TO Matteo: Fine.

FROM Matteo: Can I call you?

TO Matteo: Yeah.

I get up from my seat and make my way to my room. I quickly dry off and change into an oversized shirt and a pair of shorts. I lay on the bed and wait for him to call.

I fear we have nothing to talk about or that he doesn't feel safe talking to me. What if his problems aren't handled and I have to stay here for six more months? I don't think I can handle that. I will go stir-crazy.

Facetime begins to ring and I immediately answer. He pops up on my screen completely naked from what I can tell. He has his eyepatch on and looks stressed. He has bags under his eyes and his greys are very prominent. He flashes me a small saddened smile before going into a blank face.