“How dumb, huh? I was tossed aside by a mom who didn’t want me, because her new husband didn’t like how she came with baggage. And now, all I want is to have a baby of my own, so I can show her how much she means to me, and how much I love her.”
“It’s not dumb if that’s how you feel. You and Liam deserve to be happy.”
Shayne returns my hug, sits back, and wipes the tears from her eyes. “I’m just emotional. My best friend is leaving me today, and I feel like I’m losing a part of me. I know where you’re going, you’ll be happy, but you’ve lived with us for five months and I’ve loved having you every day you’ve been here.” She leans in and gives me another hug.
“I can never thank you enough for what you’ve done for me. You opened your heart, and your home, even after all those years where we didn’t talk.”
“You don’t need to thank me, girl. It’s what we do for each other.” Damn it, I promised myself I wouldn’t cry. But, that promise has been thrown out because now, Shayne and I are blubbering like fools.
“Oh my God, who do I have to beat up?” Liam says as he stands inside my room. “Max and I can go teach someone a lesson.”
Shayne and I both wipe our tears and laugh. “We’re just being girls,” Shayne says. “You don’t have to beat up anyone.”
“Good.” Liam throws a punch in his hand, “’Cause I so would.”
“Come on, let’s get me packed. I have an apartment to move into.”
“Holler when you’re ready and I’ll take stuff out to your car,” Liam says as he leaves my room.
“You know,” I start saying as I pack what’s in my wardrobe. “You two are going to make the best parents.” I look over to Shayne who’s beaming at me. Her smile is so bright and her eyes sparkle.
Before we know it, I’ve packed my life into two suitcases and three boxes. That’s all I have to show for myself. But, I also have my life. I’m not entirely sure if I stayed with Trent I’d even be alive today. Looking at my packed car, I’m alright with the fact I have virtually nothing. Because I have my freedom.
“Right,” Liam starts. “Don’t forget to write, and come home on all the important holidays,” he teasingly says as he wraps me in a hug. “You’ve been a good kid, chicken butt. Play nice with the other kids, and make sure you get to class on time.” He lays a kiss on my forehead. But I can tell this sarcasm is his coping mechanism.
“I will. I won’t go to any parties on campus either.” I let go and head straight into Shayne’s arms.
She’s crying, and then I start crying. “You have a home here anytime you want or need it.”
I start that whole ugly crying thing. My eyes are constantly dripping, and I can’t seem to be able to breathe right. Shayne and I are both crying loudly as we hold onto each other. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, girl.”
Finally, I let go and step away from Shayne.
Liam steps in and hugs her, consoling her as she cuddles into his chest.
I step up to my car, and smile. “To the rest of my life,” I say under my breath. As I get in and back away, I know this is the right move for me. I’ve gone as far as I can staying at Shayne and Liam’s house, now it’s time I push myself further.
I drive to my new home, and don’t look in my review mirror. Not because I don’t want to be sad again, but if I look behind me, that’s where I’ll end up. I need to keep looking forward, and live.
I unpack some of my clothes into my new chest of drawers, and once I’m done then I take the clothes which need hanging and hang them in the closet.
I can’t believe I’ve unpacked everything in under three hours. It gives me time to sit, relax and tackle one of the books I’ve been working on.
Max has stayed true to his word, and not interfered at all. He didn’t come help me move, and he hasn’t once come into the apartment. I send him a text letting him know I’ve arrived and asking if he’d like to join me for dinner. As if he was waiting beside the phone, he replies with a smiley face emoticon and says he’ll be here soon.
Pizza it is. Because I still have to finish the final read through and get it sent to my client. And if I can, I want to start on another manuscript I have.
I get my laptop, open it up and sit on my new sofa, which I bought with my own money, and I pick up where I left off. Before I know it, my phone rings from beside me. “Max?” I answer knowing it’s him from his name popping up on the screen.
“Do I have to wait outside for the entire night?”