Chapter 26
Everly
“Why can’t you come with us?” Birdie asks Jake as we sit in the middle of our living room, surrounded by boxes.
“I wish I could. There isn’t anything I’d like more, but I have work here. People need me.”
“But we need you more,” Birdie argues, sadness all over her face. She loves Jake. It wasn’t all that long ago that I was just hoping they’d get along. I never expected Jake to fill the void in her life that she was missing. But he has done just that and more.
I remember her big brown eyes and the way her face lit up when she saw him at the ice cream shop that night months ago. Despite my resistance, he had won her over instantly when they bonded over cat facts. She adored him right away, and since then, their bond has only grown stronger. It’s going to make leaving him behind so much tougher.
An apartment in Brookmont had suddenly become available. I received an email from the landlord letting me know it was ours if we wanted it. She seemed nice and it was in my price range, and from the photos it looked like a decent space. But on the other hand, it made the move very real.
I broke the news to Birdie last week that we would be moving back to Brookmont. Her bottom lip began to quiver, and then she broke down in my arms. Through sobs and tears, she told me that she didn’t want to leave Reed Point, that she’d miss Gramma and Grandpa, Franny, her friends at school, her pink bedroom and Jake.
My heart broke. She isn’t handling it well, and I’m sure she is going to be a mess when we have to say our goodbyes. I feel the same way. This morning, I had a good cry in the bathroom before Jake woke up. But I need to put on a brave face for Birdie.
There is no avoiding it. Today, we are packing the last of our things. Tomorrow, Birdie and I are going back to Brookmont.
I crouch down in front of Birdie, forcing a smile as if my heart isn’t breaking in my chest. “It’s not that easy for Jake to move with us. If it was, he would.”
“But it is easy. He can get a new job,” she insists through watery eyes. “He won’t be happy here without us.”
Jake’s eyes squeeze shut, and his chin drops to his chest. “You’re right about that. I’m going to be very sad when I can’t see you every day. That’s why I’m going to visit you every chance I get.”
“Will you take me bike riding?”
“I’d love to.”
She smiles. “I’m going to miss you.”
My heart cracks in two.
“I’m going to miss you too, Birdie-girl,” he says with a sigh, pulling her into him for a hug. “But I’m just a phone call away, okay? And we’ll see each other as much as we can. Now, are we going to play a game of Mario Kart before you need to get to bed?”
“Yeah!” She jumps out of his lap to grab the controllers. “I’m gonna beat you this time.”
Jake isquiet the rest of the time I’m packing, and once Birdie is asleep in her bed, he turns to me, his hands moving to my face. “I already miss you. Is that weird?”
His admission makes me want to weep. “It’s not weird. I feel the same way, Jake. You know how much I hate this.”
“I know, and I’ve already cleared my calendar for next week. I told the team I’m away.” Jake brushes his thumb over my jaw. “I want to be with you and Birdie.”
My heart seizes in my chest as my eyes blur with tears. “You don’t have to. I know you’re busy at work. We’ll be fine.”
He lowers his face until his lips brush mine. “I won’t be fine.” He kisses me, and I melt into his arms. It kills me knowing this is our last night together.
“I’m sorry my life is so difficult.” My gaze drops to the floor before my wet eyes flicker back to meet his.
“Baby, it’s going to be okay. We’re going to be okay. I promise.”
“I know.”
“Good girl,” he says with a look in his eye that levels me. Goosebumps break out over my skin.
“You know I love it when you say that.”
“I know everything you like.”
I smile through the tears.
“Let me prove it to you.” Jake pulls me up from the floor. “Tonight is our last night in this apartment. I need you.”
He takes my face between his palms and kisses my jaw, my chin, and my mouth as he backs me down the hall into my bedroom. We take our time undressing one another, both painfully aware that we are running out of time together.
I’m leaving our perfect little bubble.
And somehow, I will have to learn to live without Jake.