THE DOOR CLICKS SOFTLY shut behind us. Hunter and I have been living in Theo’s house with him and Cora for the past few weeks. I couldn’t bear to go back to the apartment Alex and I shared. It was too soon, and I didn’t want to deal with that. Besides, I like having the company of the others, especially since we are leaving and won’t see them for a while.
Wandering into the garage, I place a hand on Alex’s car. Sighing heavily, I lean forward, pressing my lips to it.
‘I love you,’ I whisper, my heart feeling full and heavy as I think about Alex’s face lighting up when he saw the car for the first time. ‘I miss you every day.’
‘It’s just a car, dude.’
I jerk my head up at the sound of Theo’s voice, and frown at him. He grins, that shit-eating, teasing grin he always has on his face.
‘Kidding, Ray Ray. I’ll keep good care of it.’
‘Don’t call me that,’ I mutter, making a repulsed face at the stupid nickname he insists on calling me.
Shaking my head, I turn to leave, but take one more moment to look back at it. Smiling sadly, I follow Theo out to the front of the house, each step feeling like I’m walking through mud.
Hunter is carrying our luggage towards the car, piling it into the back. Cora and I said our goodbyes this morning. It was an emotional one. I still don’t know how I feel about leaving her here. I did offer for her to come with us, but she said she wants time to herself to figure things out. Hunter assured me Theo will be looking out for her, so I feel better about that. I think. Dante has been in and out the past few weeks as well, and I feel better knowing he is keeping an eye on the pair of them, too. He doesn’t have ill intentions towards anyone, except Kian, and that is totally justifiable.
Theo throws his arms around Hunter in a tight embrace, and holds him for a long few seconds.
‘I love you,’ Theo says – a little aggressively – and plants his hands on Hunter’s shoulders. ‘Be safe. Call when you can. And send me postcards from every country you go to.’
Hunter smiles. ‘I will.’
Turning to me, he offers me a small smile. ‘You too, Ray Ray. Be safe, and have fun.’ I step into his arms as he gives me a brief hug. ‘Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.’
Hunter snorts at that, and I grin. ‘Sure thing.’
‘Farewell friends!’ Theo cries out dramatically.
Rolling our eyes affectionately, we climb into the car. Hunter starts the engine, and I settle back into the seat, feeling nervous. I’ve never travelled overseas before. This is a whole new adventure for me, but I can’t be more excited about it. I’m ready for this.
‘We’re really doing this?’ I say.
Hunter reaches over, taking my hand in his. He brings it to his lips, leaving a tender kiss on my knuckles.
‘We sure are. Are you ready?’
‘Absolutely.’
As we cruise through town, I let myself recall the moments I shared with Alex, and my heart bleeds at the thought of him. I miss him terribly, and I wish he was here for this, doing this with us. I can almost hear his voice from the back seat, making sarcastic remarks and it makes me smile.
We drive past the sign on the edge of town Alex and I saw when we first arrived, and I peer out at it.
‘Welcome to Red Thorne. A town you will never want to leave!’
Ironic, since that is exactly what we are doing.
It’s hard to imagine any of this playing out the way it did. Not long ago, it was Alex and I arriving here on the dingy train in the middle of the night. It now feels like a lifetime has passed.
Leaning my head back, I squeeze Hunter’s hand.
Ever since my family was gone, I’ve been so lost, like I had a hole in my heart that never quite healed. A part of me that was broken, and incomplete.
Now, with my sister back, and Hunter by my side, I truly and whole-heartedly feel put together again.
I can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds for us.