36. Caleb
Caleb
I sat on the couch, elbows on my knees, staring at nothing. The house felt too quiet. Too empty.
Noelle stood in front of me, her little face twisted in confusion. “Where’s Grace?”
She had become used to seeing Grace almost daily. Noelle called me earlier to say the school was making things more awkward. They pulled her out of class to speak with the guidance counselor. I had to call them and clarify the plan because as of right now they were making things worse.
I squeezed my eyes shut for a second before forcing myself to face her. “She’s … not here. Grace moved back to the city.”
Noelle searched my face and must have seen my sadness because her frown deepened. “But she promised.”
My chest tightened. “I know.”
She wasn’t here for so many reasons. Because her mother came and tried to pay me off. Because fucking Max had to google her. Because I saw her with him, in a robe in her hotel room. Because I asked her if she slept with him, and she said yes.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Sometimes, people don’t keep their promises.”
Noelle’s chin wobbled. “But why ?”
I didn’t have a good enough answer for her. Didn’t have anything that would make this easier for her. Or for me.
“Grace—” My voice caught, and I had to clear my throat. “She made a choice.”
Noelle shook her head, crossing her arms. “I don’t believe you.”
“Noelle—”
“Grace said she wouldn’t leave. She said she’d always be here for me.” Her voice was rising now, signaling how she was angry and hurt all at once. “Friends forever. She promised .”
God, I could handle my own pain and sorrow. I could drown in it if I had to. But seeing it on her face, hearing it in her voice, tore me apart.
“I know,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “I’m sorry.”
She sniffled, eyes glistening. “Did you make her leave?”
The question hit me like a punch to a gut. I thought about how I let her leave Grand Haven. The way I ran out of the hotel before she could explain. I thought about the look on Grace’s face when I told her I was done.
When Noelle’s mother left, it felt easy because Noelle was young and didn’t remember it.
This time seemed more painful. For both of us.