Chapter Thirty-Six
Lucy
One month.
That’s how long it’s been since I’ve seen the guys.
I thought it would be easier to leave them to keep them safe, but I miss them.
My tears have stopped for the most part, but there’s an ache in my chest that lingers day after day.
There have been many times I’ve wanted to pick up the phone and call them or send a quick text telling them something random about my day.
I miss them more than I thought possible.
Lawson has checked in on me a handful of times and has given me small updates on Ren, Nash, and Cole.
Ren was released from the hospital and sounds like he’s healing well, despite not taking it as easily as he should be. Cole has gotten into a couple fights at the bar, and Nash is working more than usual.
I wonder if it’s because of me?
I snap myself out of my thoughts and continue stirring the batter for the next batch of muffins for the silent auction to raise money for the firehouse tomorrow night.
That was Lawson’s reasoning for showing up unannounced a couple days ago.
He said he didn’t know who else to ask for baked goods for the auction since Nana isn’t here to do it this year.
He’s supposed to stop by tonight to grab them, so now I’m rushing to get the last of the items done.
I’m finishing up pouring the mix into the pan when my phone rings and Lawson’s name flashes across the screen. I quickly wipe my hands and swipe to answer.
“Hey, Lawson. What’s going on?” I ask, holding my phone between my ear and shoulder.
“Hey Lucy. I can’t come pick up your items for the sale tonight. There’s an emergency. Can you drop them off at the firehouse tomorrow evening? Please?” The stress in his voice fills my ear.
I suck in a breath. I didn’t want to go to the firehouse at all, to be honest. The risk of running into the three people I don’t want to see is too high. I rub my temple as I answer him, “I don’t know, Law. I didn’t really plan on going tomorrow.”
“I know, Lucy. I wouldn’t ask if there was anything else I could do about it.”
I let out a breath. “Okay. But I’m not staying. I will run them in and then I’m leaving, alright?”
“Thank you. I owe you one,” he says before quickly hanging up.
I let out a groan as I look around at the mess I’ve made throughout the kitchen.
There’s flour covering the dark blue counters along with measuring cups and spoons scattered everywhere.
Leftover fresh fruit sits beside the sink, and I’ve dirtied multiple kitchen towels because I kept misplacing the one I started with.
I grab the pan to put it in the oven and start cleaning up. By the time I’ve finished putting the last bowl away, the timer goes off, and I remove the muffins from the oven, placing them on a cooling rack before finally sitting down in the living room.
My eyes are immediately drawn to the fireplace bricks, and a tightness forms in my chest. I pull my knees up close to my body and rest my chin on them.
The house is too quiet, so I pull my phone out to turn some music on, hoping it will distract me.
The first couple of songs are upbeat and catchy; however, the third slows down, and I immediately hit the next button.
Another slow song. I hit skip again, and again, and again before letting out a frustrated growl and turning the music off.
I decide to shower and go to bed. It’s still early, but sleeping is better than being stuck with my thoughts surrounded by silence.
I look at myself in the mirror as I wait for the water to get hot.
My eyes are tired looking with dark circles under them from not sleeping enough, and my normally voluminous hair falls flat.
I can see that I haven’t been taking very good care of myself, so I make a promise to make a better effort.
After showering and brushing my teeth, I crawl into bed and turn the TV on for background noise as I lie down and cover myself up. I watch for a while until I feel my eyes get heavy and my brain slows down.
Let’s hope they don’t show up tomorrow.
Colson
She has to be here.
I scan the crowd that’s arrived at the event early.
There are still people setting up, but not a lot happens in Whisper Grove, so people are always showing up before things are ready.
Ren and Nash stand next to me, and I know they are looking for Lucy too.
The firehouse looks different. The trucks are out in front of the building, and there are folding tables covered in baskets for the auction all throughout the truck bay.
There are snacks and drinks for people to grab as they look through the auction items as soft music plays in the background.
“There she is,” Ren whispers loudly and takes a step forward before Nash puts his arm out.
“She doesn’t want to talk to us, Ren. You know that.”
“It’s a public event. Wouldn’t it be weird if she didn’t talk to us?” Ren asks, hope filling his voice.
I keep my eyes on her and watch as she sets up her items on a table across the room.
She hasn’t seen us yet, or she’d already be out the door.
Her hair is up in a tight bun, and her white sundress has small flowers spread across it.
She smiles at everyone who comes up to the table as she’s setting up.
I can feel Nash and Ren beside me, staring at her too.
I look over at them, and it makes my chest tighten, knowing they are hurting like I am.
Lucy’s laugh grabs my attention, and when I turn back to look, her head is thrown back, hand resting on the arm of Mr. Hinkley, the ninety-six-year-old man who owns the hardware store in town.
Lucy politely keeps the conversation going until she looks over, her eyes locking on the three of us.
I can see her sharp intake of breath from here, and she excuses herself, heading for the back door.
We all move at once, Ren taking the lead somehow. He still has a small limp, but the doctor was very optimistic about it not being permanent. We quickly make our way through the crowd following her, and when I finally make it to the door, I can hear Ren yelling after her.
“Lucy, wait! Please!”
She must hear the desperation in his voice because she stops a few feet in front of her car and turns slowly.
There are tears filling her eyes as she looks at him.
I stay back by the door and stop Nash beside me as he comes out.
Ren takes a couple of steps towards her, and she backs up, keeping the distance between them.
“Please, Love. Just talk to me.” Ren’s arms rest at his sides.
Lucy shakes her head. “There’s nothing to say.” Her words are barely audible, but I can hear the crack in her voice.
“Yes, there is. Please,” Ren begs, and Lucy glances behind him at me and Nash.
Her eyes flick over to the side of the building, but I can’t see what she’s looking at. She stills for just a moment before she answers.
“I can’t.” She looks to the ground and brushes her foot across the dirt in front of her.
“But I love you, Lucy. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?” Ren’s voice is scratchy as his emotions take over.
Her eyes widen for a moment before tears start streaming down her face, and she shakes her head again. A soft gust of wind blows pieces of her hair across her face.
“I’m so sorry, Ren.” Lucy turns and gets into her car before taking off, leaving a cloud of dust behind her. Ren brings both of his hands behind his neck.
“FUCK!” Ren screams before hitting his knees to the ground. Nash makes his way to Ren to help him up, and I walk to the corner of the building. When I peek around, I see Lucy’s aunt and uncle chuckling to themselves and heading inside the event.
“Let’s go home,” Nash says to Ren, his hand reaching out to pull Ren up from the ground.
“It’s not home without her,” Ren mumbles as he stands. He pushes past us both, heading for the truck. Nash lets out a sigh and rubs his hand down his face.
“Make sure he gets in the truck. I’ll meet you guys there in a few minutes. There’s something I want to do,” I mumble. Nash gives me a strange look and nods. I turn to go back inside before meeting them in the truck.
When I slide into my seat, I have a plate full of Lucy’s blueberry muffins. Ren is lying down in the backseat and doesn’t notice. Nash chuckles, and I shrug my shoulders at him in response as he starts the truck to take us home.
What he doesn’t know is the threat I made to Diane and Wayne when I ran into them on my way out.
I was a little surprised when they laughed at me as I told them to stay away from Lucy, but I think I made my message clear when I quietly got in their faces.
They stopped laughing then, and Wayne’s face was cherry red while Diane huffed and stormed off.
I hope they listen to me.