Summer Girl

Summer Girl - Chapter 35

Chapter THIRTY FIVE

I called Cay at 8 a.m., knowing she wouldn't be at work yet, if she worked that day. It rang a few times and then went to her voicemail. I just wanted to tell her that I was coming back, to see her. I wanted to tell her in person that I was moving away, for real.

   She called back while I was tossing my bags into the Jetta, half an hour later. Harley was walking over, holding a cup of coffee. We had stayed up most of the night, talking, kissing. Now I was exhausted and driving back to the beach was the last thing I wanted to do. But I knew this was something I couldn't ignore. She deserved a face to face conversation. And so did my Aunt Cora.

   "Hello?" I answered my cell, leaning against the car.

   "Hey, sorry. I just got up," Cay's voice said into my ear. "How are you?" I hadn't talked to her on the phone in a week, maybe two. My time in Lakeland had been a blur.

   "I'm really good," I said, smiling at Harley.

   "Good."

   "Do you work today?" I asked her.

   "No, I'm off today and tomorrow actually," she told me, sounding curious.

   "Oh, that's great. I'm heading there soon," I said, trying to sound normal about it.

   "You are?!"

   "Yeah. I'll be there in two hours."

   "Okay. Is everything... okay?" Now she sounded worried.

   "Yes, it's good. I just... have some news. So... I'll see you soon?" I went on, my heart pounding.

   "Okay. I can't wait."

   I didn't know what else to say so I ended the call. Harley handed me a coffee, in a blue travel mug. I took it, forcing a smile at him.

   "For the road," he said simply.

   "Thanks," I answered awkwardly. This all felt so wrong. We had just gotten back together and now I was leaving again.

   "Hey... you okay?" he asked, stepping closer, sensing something.

   "I'm just dreading all of this," I told him, shaking my head.

   "All of what?"

   "The drive, alone. The conversation with Cora... the tears that will come from Cay... all of it," I admitted.

   "Hey," he said sweetly, grabbing my hand. "I can come, if you want."

   "You can't." I shook my head. "You have to go look at apartments."

   "For us," he grinned. "You swear you won't get sick of me?"

   "I never could," I smiled, this time for real. "See you in a few days?"

   "I'll call you tonight, after the appointments." I knew he didn't want to say goodbye. I didn't want to, either.

   "Okay," I nodded.

   "I miss you already," he told me.

   "Hey!" Layla called, storming out of the house towards us suddenly.

   "You were going to leave without saying goodbye?"

   "No," I said quickly, as she wrapped herself around me. Harley stepped back.

   "I'll text you. Like, a lot," Layla laughed. "Promise you two will come back to visit?"

   "We will," Harley told her, "My Mom will make sure of it."