Chapter 16
HOPE
“What am I doing?” I mumble under my breath as the miles tick away on the odometer.
My stomach has been in knots since Frost’s sister, Paige, called.
A sister who apparently cares enough about her brother to call a complete stranger and beg them to help put her brother’s heart back together.
That alone was enough to make me cry for the rest of the night while I thought about the promise I made, not only to her but to Frost, to be his, forever.
He left without a word. You don’t owe him a damn thing.
My brain and heart are still battling as we pass a sign that says Truth and Consequences, Next Right, and my pulse kicks into high gear.
“This is a mistake,” I whisper as I take the exit.
“No, it’s not,” Amy says from the passenger seat, polishing the handle of her baseball bat like she’s preparing for battle. “This is destiny.”
I shoot her a look. “You’re not bringing that inside.”
“I absolutely am,” she says, sliding it onto her lap. “If he hurts you again, I’m cracking at least one of his kneecaps. Maybe two if he gives me attitude.”
“Amy,” I groan.
“Hope.” She imitates my tone perfectly. “You’re driving to another state to confront a man who abandoned you without a word. I’m not letting you walk into the lion’s den without backup.”
I press my lips together. “Please don’t threaten his knees.”
“I make no promises.”
“Oh my God.”
She pats my shoulder. “Sweetie, I’m not here to commit violence unless it’s absolutely necessary. I’ll let you talk, and I’ll be quiet, promise.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You… Quiet?”
“For you?” She draws a cross across her chest. “I swear, but the bat stays.”
I sigh but bite my tongue because, honestly, part of me is relieved she insisted on coming. The thought of knocking on Frost’s door alone, after everything that has happened, is making me rethink my life choices.
I take a shaky breath. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
Amy leans forward, peering out the windshield. “You’re doing this because you love him.”
I choke. “I never said—”
“You didn’t have to,” she says gently. “I saw it in your face the moment he bought us breakfast, and yes, that was a traumatic morning for me, thank you for asking.”
Despite everything, I laugh weakly. “You barged in with a weapon!”
“You shoulda told me you were getting your brains fucked out,” she mutters. “It’s no wonder you were so distracted, though. Frost is definitely packing.”
“Can we not talk about Frost’s dick?” I ask. “Besides, I already apologized for not messaging you.”
We hit a stretch of road lined with desert on both sides. The sky is an endless blue. Normally, I’d admire it, but not today. Today, my nerves are fried. It’s taking everything in me not to pull over on the side of the road to vomit the closer we get to the MC.
“What if he doesn’t want to see me?” I say quietly.
Amy scoffs. “Then he’s dumber than I thought. Which is impressive, because I already think he’s a dumbass.”
“Amy—”
“Hope.” She angles toward me, voice gentler. “His sister said he’s miserable. She told you he broke down talking to his dad about you. He loves you, whether his caveman brain can articulate that or not.”
The word love hits me square in the chest like a weight.
I swallow. “What if this isn’t about Frost? What if he left because he realized I wasn’t worth staying for?”
Amy’s head whips toward me so fast I fear she sprained something.
“Hope Webster,” she snaps. “If you ever say that again, I will turn this car around and drag you to therapy myself.”
I blink. “Wow.”
She softens, reaches over, and squeezes my arm. “You’re worth everything, this is on Frost. He doesn’t believe he’s deserving of you. That’s the difference.”
My throat tightens painfully. “I want answers, Amy. I need to know why he left.”
“You’ll get them,” she says firmly. “But if he so much as looks like he’s lying, I’m—” I shoot her a warning glare. “Gonna keep my thoughts to myself.”
“That’s all I ask.”
Amy smirks. “And my bat.”
“Amy.”
“What? It’s decorative.”
We turn into the outskirts of Truth or Consequences.
The town is lined with old storefronts, wide streets, and beautiful mountains in the distance.
My heart slams against my ribs as I realize I’m a few miles away from seeing him again.
The closer we get, the louder my thoughts become, spinning faster and faster.
What if he regrets meeting me? What if he already moved on? What if he tells me to leave?
Amy places a hand over mine on the steering wheel. “Breathe.” I inhale slowly.
“Don’t worry,” she says. “If all else fails, we always have my bat.”
“Amy!”
“Kidding! Mostly.”
My hands begin to tremble so bad that I’m unable to keep a grip on the wheel. I pull into a gas station parking lot to sort myself out.
Tears glide down my cheeks as I lay my head on the steering wheel. “I’m terrified.”
“I know, but you got this,” she murmurs as she rubs my back.
“You’re brave, braver than you give yourself credit for.
You’re going to knock on that door, look him in the eye, and tell him exactly how he made you feel.
” I nod weakly. “If he survives that,” she adds with a wicked grin. “Then maybe he deserves you.”
I glance over at her. “I don’t know if I’m ready.”
Amy squeezes my shoulder. “Too bad, we’re here, and you’re going.”
She’s right. We didn’t drive all this way for me to chicken out. Time to pull up my big girl panties and face the music. I straighten, wipe my cheeks, and take a steady breath.
“Okay,” I say confidently. “Let’s do this.”
“Hell yeah,” Amy says, lifting her bat like a sword.
My heart’s in my throat, and fear claws at my ribs, but with my armed best friend beside me, I know without a doubt I can confront him.
Watch out Frost, I’m coming for you.