Why We Fell in Love

Chapter Forty

Noah's POV

"Sorry I couldn't take you anywhere out of the country. But California will have to do," I say as Clementine smiles. We're on the beach as she's tanning away on a towel. I was just sitting next to her and staring into the ocean.

"Is there a reason why you always go to California?" she asks.

I shrug," the first time I came, I wanted to meet Abby's mom and ask why she left her. But that's her business, not mine. I'm now realizing how much shit I had to deal with when I was with her. Every day was always something."

"Including the day when you got that," she says, pointing to my tattoo of the date. I forgot about it. "When are you getting a tattoo of me?"

I scoff," no, I'm done getting tattoos of girls. I don't know what I was thinking when I got these. I'm such an idiot."

"Hey, don't call yourself that. You loved Jess and Abby."

"Yeah but they're not here and I'm not with either of them now am I," I say as she sighs. "I'm thinking about getting it removed but it's gonna hurt like crap."

"Does she still have her tattoo?" she asks as I nod. "You two crazy love birds."

I smile," yeah, well, I love you Clem. You always had a special place in my heart."

"Then do me a favor and get me some iced tea," she says as I roll my eyes. I get up and walk into the beach hut that was selling drinks.

"One iced tea with lemon and a bottle of water," I say to the cashier. She rings it up but manages to stare at me. "... Is there something you need?"

"Yeah, money for this," she says as I hand her a 5. "If you don't mind, can I-"

She didn't finish her sentence before she takes out her phone and puts it right next to my head. Like she's comparing me to a picture.

"Noah Evans, is that you?" she asks.

"Depends..."

She laughs," I'm Abby's mom. I don't know if you two are still a thing but it's nice to finally meet you. Please, take a seat so we can chat."

I mentally curse at myself. How ironic. I sigh before taking a seat at the table.

"Look, I'm not with Abby right now but that doesn't mean I'm not pissed at what you did to her and her family a while ago," I say as she smiles.

"You still care about her," she smirks as I roll my eyes. "I knew you were gonna bring that up but let's not talk about me leaving right now. Let's talk about my daughter. What happened with you two? I thought you two were gonna end up married or something."

We were.

"Uh... This girl from a while back came into my life again and made me realize I shouldn't be wasting my time on Abby... No offense."

"Um, I am offended," she says with hurt in her voice. "I may have left her but I still care about her."

I scoff," no you don't. You have no idea what Abby has been through when you left. She had to go through your husband's death alone because your son was too busy with his new life. And I wasn't even there with her through that because I was here being a complete... Idiot."

"This sounds like wasting time to me... Just go back to Jersey and apologize to my baby," she coos.

"I can't do that. I'm starting my life over again."

Her phone starts ringing and when she looked at the screen, her face froze. She showed me the screen and Abby was calling.

"Put it on speaker," I whisper. She slides her finger across the phone and puts it on speaker.

"Abby? Is everything okay?" she asks.

Abby sniffles but then stops," um, yeah. Everything's fine. Is it weird to ask if I could move into your place with your new family?"

Both our eyes pop out from it's sockets.

"May I ask why?" Bailey, which I learned a second ago based on her name tag, asked.

She sighs," uh... Dad's death has gotten to me and I need to be with someone? I don't know. You've been asking for me to visit you ever since you left and now I'm asking for a favor. Simple yes or no would do."

"But I don't want you regretting this," she says.

"The only thing I regret is letting him go," Abby cries.

"Your dad or..."

"Does it matter?" she cries again. "Dad's gone. Gavin's gone. Noah is too. But he's happy so I have to move on at some point."

"I thought you already moved on from Noah. That's why you set him free."

Abby groans," people don't get it. No one understands me. I thought Noah understood me and my problems but see where that went?... Dad was the only one but he's dead. Maybe I'll join him up there."

"No! Abby, listen to yourself."

She sighs," I know what I'm saying mother. But I'm old enough to make decisions like this. And don't think this is because of Noah. I really did care for him but he's over me. I'll talk to you soon. Bye."

Then, the phone goes silent. Bailey... Okay no, I can't say that. It sounds weird. Mrs Rose gave me a tissue and I was confused at first as why she gave it to me but I noticed there were tears on my face. She was the only girl who could ever make me cry.

"Look at what I did," I say to myself.

"You didn't do anything kid," she says. "Look, just forget about this whole thing. Forget we met and go off to your tangerine."

"You mean Clementine."

"Same thing," she shrugs.

I shake my head," no, I just can't let her go like that. I was going to propose to her for crying out loud. I was going to marry her."

"But you didn't. Therefore, go to your tangerine," she says before walking back to behind the register.

"It's Clem- Forget it."

I grab the two drinks and make my way back to Clem. She was peacefully tanning.

"What took you so long babe?" she asks, taking her iced tea.

I shake my head," uh, I met Abby's mother."

She takes her sunglasses off," say what now?"

"And she just got off a call with Abby. Abby said she's going to join her dad in heaven... So I don't really know what to feel right now. I-I-"

"Don't say it Noah," she warns.

"I love her Clementine, you already knew that," I say. "The very first day I saw her, she was so different from now. She has changed so much and I'm so proud of her. I don't know why I walked out like that."

"Did you even sell the engagement ring for this trip?" she asks.

I sigh before reaching into my pocket and pulling out a box," I couldn't."

"I cannot believe you... So what's your plan Mr I Love Abby All The Way."

"Don't be like that," I beg.

"How can I not be like this?" she half cries. "Didn't you feel anything when the guards took me out of your house in the middle of the night?"

"Well you did threaten my mom," I say as she rolls her eyes... Again. "I was little, you don't expect me to really kill her with a butter knife."

I shrug," I don't know Clementine. But you have to know I really care about you. In fact, I do love you."

"But you love her more," she responds as I nod. 

"There's no person I love more than her, I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize for your love. Go. Go back to her."