Chapter 23

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⠀⠀⠀Her belongings were sent in a U-Haul to New York a week ago and will be arriving there today. Her flight leaves in three hours.

⠀⠀⠀Hayden hugs Michael tight to her. "I'm going to miss you, little man."

⠀⠀⠀"I'll take good care of Honey for you," he promises.

⠀⠀⠀She giggles and kisses the top of his head. "I know you will."

⠀⠀⠀She gives a reluctant hug to David, not offering him any kind words.

⠀⠀⠀"Are you ready?" Evelyn asks.

⠀⠀⠀Hayden nods her head and grabs her small personal bag for the flight, surprised at how hard it is for her to be leaving this place that less than a year ago she despised. Evelyn walks towards the door, Hayden following a mere step behind.

⠀⠀⠀Evelyn unlocks her BMW, and Hayden opens the passenger side door, tossing her bag in on the floor and preparing to get in.

⠀⠀⠀"You weren't going to say goodbye?" Wyatt asks.

⠀⠀⠀Hayden turns around, surprised by his sudden appearance, and shakes her head. "No."

⠀⠀⠀He wraps his arms around and hugs her. "Please don't hate me."

⠀⠀⠀"I understand why you did it. I don't like you for it, but I finally understand," she mumbles into his shirt. She looks up at him. "Come visit sometime?"

⠀⠀⠀He offers a small smile. "Maybe."

⠀⠀⠀"Wyatt," Evelyn says, "you know I'm rooting for you, but we need to get moving or we'll miss our flight."

⠀⠀⠀He nods and gives Hayden one more squeeze, whispering he loves her in her ear, before letting go.

⠀⠀⠀"I'll come back," she promises.

⠀⠀⠀He says, "Have the time of your life, Hay. I'll be here."

⠀⠀⠀She climbs in the car, and Wyatt shuts it behind her. Evelyn starts backing out of the driveway before anyone can say anything else.

⠀⠀⠀Hayden lifts her hand and offers one last wave goodbye to the boy next door.

The end

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