From the start (Joel Miller x Reader) (EDITED)

Chapter 5

As the days passed, life continued to shift and change for everyone involved. Sarah began her journey into college, a new chapter in her life that held both excitement and uncertainty. Joel, determined to provide her with the best support he could, made sure her transition went as smoothly as possible.

Joel's relationship with Linda, on the other hand, had reached its breaking point. He returned to their house to gather his and Sarah's belongings, determined to sever ties with her and move forward with his life. It was a difficult process, one marked by emotional turmoil and the recognition of a relationship that had run its course.

In the end, Joel made the decision to move to the lake house permanently, a place that held its own set of memories, both good and bad. It was a symbol of a fresh start, a chance to rebuild his life and focus on what truly mattered—his daughter.

The lake house, once a site of chaos and upheaval, now became a sanctuary of sorts for Joel. He embarked on a journey of healing and rediscovery, finding solace in the natural surroundings.

As for you, the events of the weekend had left an indelible mark on your life, a story that would linger in your memories for years to come. The unexpected connections and revelations had reshaped your perspective and left you with a newfound sense of clarity about the choices you would make moving forward.

A few weeks had passed since the eventful weekend getaway at the lake cabin, and life had settled into a semblance of normalcy. The memories of that weekend still lingered, but they had become a distant backdrop to the routines of everyday life.

Tonight, you were at Emma's apartment with Lena, the three of you clustered in her warm, plant-filled living room, nursing cocktails and letting the music from the Bluetooth speaker fill in the gaps between laughter and easy conversation. It felt good—normal. Comforting, even. A sharp, necessary contrast to the weight of the cabin and everything that had unraveled there.

Emma had lit a few candles, and the soft glow bounced off the gold-framed mirror by the entryway. You were all half-ready: shoes off, makeup halfway done, dressed in your going-out clothes but still barefoot. The air smelled like citrusy perfume, setting spray, and lime from your drinks.

"I swear," Lena said with a dry laugh, perched on the arm of the couch, "that cabin trip could've been an entire season of a prestige drama. Like, 'Succession' meets 'Yellowjackets.'"

You laughed, the kind of genuine laugh that had felt rare lately. "It feels like it happened years ago, not a few week."

Emma raised her brows as she twisted the cap off another bottle of prosecco. "So... any updates? From Joel? Or Sarah?"

You hesitated. There it was—the question you'd been quietly bracing for.

"No," you said after a beat. "Not a word."

Lena let out a disbelieving scoff. "Seriously? He just dropped you off and ghosted?"

You nodded, your expression tight. "Yeah. I mean... he was going through a lot. But still."

Emma handed you a fresh drink. "That's shitty. You nearly died. Then you both—well. It wasn't nothing."

You took the drink from her, grateful for the bluntness. "I don't know what it was. Maybe just a one-night thing in the middle of chaos. He's got a kid. An ex. His whole life is a mess. And I guess I was just... a brief escape from that."

Lena leaned forward, her tone gentler now. "Hey. You were real. What you felt, what you gave—none of that's less valid because he couldn't handle it."

You nodded slowly, swallowing down the lump in your throat. "I know. Doesn't make it suck any less."

There was a pause, the kind where everything feels suspended—until Emma clapped her hands and stood up. "Alright. Enough about men. We've got outfits, tequila, and a killer DJ waiting. We're going out, and we're dancing until we forget how to pronounce their names."