Summer Girl

Summer Girl - Chapter 24

Chapter TWENTY FOUR 

I dialed Max's number ten minutes later, before I got in the shower. I just wanted to hear his voice. It rang a few times and went to his voicemail.

   I showered and brushed out my hair, then put on my bikini. I couldn't wait for Harley to get back. Maybe we could still make this a good day.

  It was 1 p.m. when my phone rang, and I answered quickly.

  "Hello?"

  "Hey Izzie," Cay said into my ear. "What are you up to?"

  I sighed, crossing my bedroom to go back downstairs. I wanted it to be Max. "Not much. Just waiting for Harley."

  "We both have a day off at the same time," she told me. "That never happens."

  "Oh, yeah. Harley and I were just going to lay on the beach..."

  "Oh. Okay. Maybe we can hang out later? Like, all of us?" she suggested. She sounded desperate.

  "Max went back to Lakeland last night." The words sounded wrong.

  "What? Why?" Cay was surprised by this. Obviously.

  "Just to... help his Mom," I lied.

  "Oh. Well, will you text me later?" she asked, now sounding dissapointed.

  "Of course," I told her.

  When Max did call back, I stared at my phone, listening to the sound of it ringing, wondering what I would say. Telling him I missed him would not be enough. Telling him I wanted him to come back wouldn't change anything. Finally I answered, but didn't say anything.

  "Iz?" He sounded so far away.

  I cleared my throat. "Hey."

  "Are you okay?" he asked quickly. "Sorry I missed your call earlier."

  "I'm fine," I snapped, surprising myself. "Harley stayed over."

  "Oh. Good."

  "Are you coming back?" I wanted to know.

  "I'm not sure if I should," he sighed.

  "You promised you'd be here. Always," I yelled, angry.

  "You have Harley," he said, as if this was what I needed to hear.

  "He's not you."

  "Izzie, I'm pressing charges against my Dad. My Mom thinks it's the best idea. There will be a restraining order and everything..."

  "Oh my God."

  "I know. But we have to end this. I'm sorry it's happening now. I'm sorry I had to go -"

  "No. Don't apologize." Tears poured down my face. Why was I being so selfish?

  "I'll come back to get Harley, when he's ready."

  "Right."

  "I'm so sorry, Iz. I know me leaving is hurting you, and then I'll have to take Harley away-"

  "I have to go, Max. I'll call you later," I interrupted, ending the call.

  I felt like I couldn't breathe. My life had just changed for the better over the past few weeks and now it was all going to change again - back to a life without them in it. 

  I went out the back door as quick as I could, to get to the beach. I needed to hear the water. I needed to breathe in the air. It wasn't long before Harley was walking towards me, as if he knew where I'd be and that I really, really needed him.