Chapter Twenty-Five
Em
EM PLACED THE LAST item in her bag and zipped it closed. She sat down on the bed next to it, checking her phone for her flight information. There were six hours until departure, and she’d be off to her parents’ home in Colorado.
Fourth of July was two days ago now, and Shae had not come back to the beach house, nor had she contacted her.
She and Kira headed back to Boston after the party, not wanting to stir up any more drama.
Em took in the time from the clock on the nightstand.
It was about this time every morning that she’d hear Shae sneaking in from her daily run.
Everything was quiet now. The laughter that had filled the halls a few days ago had faded, leaving only the sound of the ceiling fan clicking above her.
Seth and Claire had flown out yesterday afternoon; she was the only guest left in this huge house, outside of Brodie, who didn’t count since he rarely left Lennon’s side.
Em was meant to stay at the beach house through the end of summer, but with everything happening the way it had with Shae, she changed her flight and reached out to Harbor Light to let them know of her situation.
It was time to move forward. She had tried with Shae, given it her all.
For a minute, she even thought they had a chance, but it was never meant to work.
She’d given in to the fact that what she felt for Shae would probably always exist inside her.
There would always be a love that lingered below the surface of every conversation, every look.
But Shae didn’t feel the same, and she would have to find a way to accept that and move forward.
What could have been and what is—two different worlds she still found herself standing between.
A knock sounded on her door as it glided open, and Lennon peeked her head through the crack.
“Hey,” Lennon said quietly. “You want some breakfast? I could make us something.”
“I’m alright,” Em said, forcing a smile.
Lennon let go of the handle, allowing it to glide the rest of the way open. She padded over, sitting next to Em on the bed, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
“I know this all didn’t pan out the way we expected, but I’m so glad you came! I had so much fun with you this summer. I will never forget it.”
Em chuckled, a knot forming in her throat. “You’re gonna make me cry, Len.”
“Me too,” Lennon said, fully wrapping her friend in a tight hug. “I don’t want you to go yet! Are you sure?”
“Yeah, it’s time.” Em sighed.
There were so many times when she’d thought maybe she should go.
That maybe her time here trying to convince Shae to forgive her and then to love her would all be in vain.
But she knew now that it wasn’t. What she and Shae had had, and would always have, was real—even if it never became what she hoped for.
Some loves live quietly, finding their place in the spaces you leave behind. This time, she knew it was time for her to leave. There was nothing left to keep her.
Lennon gave a pouty face, sweeping her hand across Em’s cheek, wiping a tear clear. “I love you, Em!”
Em broke out into a laughing cry, “Stop, I can’t handle it.” She tipped her head back, pushing her palms into her eyes. “I’m gonna be a mess!”
“Ok, let me grab your bag. I’m making you breakfast whether you like it or not,” Lennon insisted, pushing through the door, knocking the suitcase on the corner of it.
“Fair enough,” Em said, hauling her backpack over her shoulders. She took one last look at the room she stayed in before leaving. When she’d first opened the door to this room at the start of summer, she had had so much hope for what the summer would become. There was so much possibility.
This summer almost became everything she’d hoped for.
In a way, closing this door was an end to a chapter of her life that she had been holding on to for years.
She eased the door closed, moving down the empty hallway to the stairs and past the kitchen, placing her backpack atop her suitcase, now waiting for her at the front door.
Brodie came down behind her. “Not planning on leaving without a hug, are you?”
“I’m not leaving yet,” Em said, nodding toward Lennon, who was bent over the stove, spatula in hand. “She insists on breakfast.”
“So do I!” Brodie said, ducking past her and into the kitchen. He grabbed three plates from the cabinet and placed them on the island.
Em slipped into the stool at the counter as Brodie slid a glass of hot coffee in front of her.
“Thanks, Brodes!” Em said, lifting the mug to her mouth and blowing away the steam before taking a sip.
“Well, we need to do this again! It was one hell of a time,” Brodie said, snatching up a slice of bacon Lennon had placed on a napkin and popping it into his mouth.
“Brodie Taylor!” Lennon hissed.
“Oh, not supposed to say that?” Brodie asked.
“No, do not eat all that bacon before I even put it out!”
“Oh. That.” Brodie picked up the plate of bacon, setting it on the island closer to Em. Lennon settled into the seat next to her, placing a plate in front of her with eggs and fruit. She held up her mug of coffee.
“To us?” Lennon said.
Em lifted her mug, clinking Lennon’s. “To us!”
The drive to Boston was mostly quiet. Lennon chatted a lot about summer and how boring the rest of it would likely be.
How they had nothing at all planned. How lucky she was to be leaving, because now she could hike and explore without having to worry about the humidity's effect on her hair. Em mostly smiled; she couldn’t help it.
She knew her friend was only doing her best to make her feel content with her choice to leave.
Lennon always supported her this way, and she was grateful for it. For her.
The Boston Logan airport overflowed with cars, the last of the Fourth of July crowds making their way home. Em opened the passenger side door, heading to the back of Lennon’s SUV, meeting Lennon as they both grabbed her bag together, pulling it from the back.
“You’re a good friend, Len. The best, actually! Thank you for everything!” Em said, flinging her arms around Lennon.
“Thank you for coming! Come back for New Year's, yeah?” Lennon asked.
“Of course,” Em said, chuckling. “It’s already on my cal-endar.”
“Deal. Love you,” Lennon said, planting a kiss on Em’s cheek.
“I love you, Len. I’ll let you know when I get there, okay?”
Len closed the back of her vehicle, shuffling back to the front of her car hurriedly. Waving one last goodbye before driving off.
Em turned, breathing in the Massachusetts air one last time. She held it in her lungs a second, letting the ache hit. Then slowly let it go, faced the airport doors, and stepped inside.