Summer Girl

Summer Girl - Chapter 31

Chapter THIRTY ONE 

Driving out of Tampa again, excitement and fear washed over me. I wasn't in love with the big city, but it was so nice to see my brother. Knowing that I could visit him any time I wanted really made a difference. It felt great, really.  If that summer ended with me knowing I had reconnected with Aaron, that was good enough for me.

   I turned on my GPS and just drove, hoping I'd find somewhere else I would love. But the problem was, I had no reason to stop. I passed through towns and cities, drove down highways, listening to music with the windows down. But as it got later into the day, I realized I was hungry and tired and alone.

   I pulled into a rest stop with a coffee shop. Inside, I ordered a coffee and a bagel and then sat, eating slowly. I had no idea where I was. I couldn't think of any reason to be out there, on my own. And I didn't feel any better than before I left Siesta.

   It took me an hour to finish my coffee and even though I was sick of driving, I eventually went back out to the Jetta. It wasn't dark yet, but I was yawning, so I decided to pull over to one of the overnight spaces. I'd never slept in a car before but I figured it couldn't be that bad.

   I HAD A GOOD VISIT WITH AARON, I texted my Aunt Cora before pulling out a blanket from my bag  in the back seat.

   YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY THAT MAKES ME, she sent back a few minutes later.

   SLEEPING IN THE JETTA TONIGHT, I sent to Cay, not sure what she would think of this.

   WOW. YOU OKAY THOUGH? she sent back.

   YEAH, IM GOOD.

   I woke up to the sound of a huge truck pulling into the spot beside me. It was too early, only 5a.m., but I couldn't fall back asleep. I watched the clock as it switched over to 6a.m., then went back into the coffee shop for a coffee. By seven, I was ready to get moving again.

   I was still driving north, but with no destination. Finally, I pulled over and took a deep breath. What was I really avoiding? I'd seen my brother, I'd gotten out there, driving, on my own. I'd left the beach town. But I didn't feel any better. Deep down, I knew the only thing that would give me happiness again.

   SO, IM TWO HOURS NORTH OF LAKELAND. WHAT ARE YOU AND HARLEY DOING TODAY? I sent to Max, finally.

   SERIOUSLY? WE'RE WAITING FOR YOU, he sent back right away. WEVE ALWAYS BEEN WAITING FOR YOU.

   For days, I'd avoided hearing their voices. I ignored their messages because I thought I was trying to move on. But how could I? They were my next stop all along.

   I had spent my entire childhood and teenage years wishing I had a best friend. I'd longed for someone to tell my secrets to, to be there when I was happy or sad. I needed it even more when Aaron left and again when Clara moved away. I found it, after all that time, in Max and in Harley, too. How could I give up on that now? I couldn't.

   WHAT'S THE ADDRESS?

   800 BUCKINGHAM AVENUE. YOURE REALLY COMING?

   I AM. AND IM SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG.

   HARLEYS NOT HERE, BUT I'LL GET HIM HERE ASAP.

   OKAY, SEE YOU SOON, I finished, my heart beating fast.

   CANT WAIT.

   I sped down the highway, feeling like I could finally breathe again. I turned my music up loud and felt excited to get to them. Since meeting Max the second week of June, I had not gone very many days without seeing him. I knew I loved Harley, but getting to Max felt like the goal. I had no idea what we would do when I got there. It didn't matter. I knew their Mom's wedding was less than two weeks away and the week after that, they would be off in different directions, for college. For now, I just focused on driving.

   Lakeland felt similar to Tampa, but smaller. It wasn't as crowded, there weren't as many cars on the roads. As I tried to get into the right sub division, I passed a country club and a body of water. The air smelled fresh as it crept into my window. Finally, I found the right street and turned down, my heart racing again. I wasn't scared that I was doing the right thing. I wasn't worried about being rejected. I was just excited to see them.

   Max was standing outside the house, at the top of the long driveway, when I pulled in. There were two other cars in the driveway, including the white sports car. I could tell by his face that he was still shocked that I was there. His eyes were wide and the smile crept onto his lips, as I got out of the Jetta and walked towards him.

   "I can't believe it," he began, when I was almost close enough to touch him. "Am I dreaming?"

   "No," I let out a small laugh. "I'm here."

   "Thank God." He pulled me close, wrapping his strong arms around me. He kissed my head, then whispered into my ear, "You have no idea how much I missed you."

  I didn't reply, because I didn't want the hug to end. When we slowly broke apart, I was just smiling at him. "It feels good here."

  "It is good here," he told me. "I wanted to tell you to come, but I thought you would turn my offer down."

   "I felt like I was stuck in Siesta, because it was all I knew. Because I had a job. Because... I don't know," I admitted.

   "You really quit your job?"

   "Yes."

   "So you're really free?"

   "Free as a bird," I smiled. "I guess until I run out of money."

   "You belong here, with me," Max told me. "I mean, for the next couple weeks."

   "Where's Harley?" I asked, not able to wait any longer.

   "He's... at our house. This is Mom's fiance's house. This is where the magic happens." He laughed at himself, then hugged me again. "I called him, awhile ago, but... I haven't heard from him. You should call him."

   "But... I'm really scared."

   "I'll hold your hand."

   Max lead me inside, and I felt like I was in a fairy tale. The house was gorgeous - I'd never seen anything like it before. Huge high ceilings, a spiral staircase, a kitchen straight out of a magazine. After he gave me the tour, he demanded I called Harley.

   "What if he doesn't answer?" I asked, my hand shaking.

   "If he sees it's you, he will," Max told me.

   "But what if he doesn't care anymore?" I wanted to know.

   "He cares too much, I promise."

   "Max... I drove here, knowing we will have to say goodbye again. Knowing this was a temporary fix to the long term problem of being apart. I -"

   "Izzie, call him."

   So I dialed his number, letting it ring in my ear. It rang, and rang and rang. My heart was beating too fast - a feeling I was getting used to - the anticipation was killing me. I sighed, deciding he was not going to pick up. It was too late.

   "Izzie?" I heard his voice, finally.

   "Harley," I said, feeling like someone took my breath away.

   "Hi," he said back.

   "Harley, I'm here. I'm in Lakeland," I said, too fast.

   "What?"

   "I'm with Max."

   "You're with Max?"

   "Yeah. He called you..."

   "You're with Max, at the Buckingham house?" he asked again.

   "Yes."

   "I'll be there in fifteen minutes." Then he was gone.