Chapter 16

Sage

My mind races as I pack my bag in my room. I don’t hear anyone come into the room until I hear Colt’s voice.

“You have to be fucking kidding me.”

I spin around, and all I see is anger on his face.

“Colt, listen…” I start, but he interrupts me.

“Were you even going to say goodbye this time? I’m shocked you’re even leaving in daylight. Why not wait until night and leave another note?”

I close my eyes. I know how this looks, but it’s not what he thinks. I take a deep breath. My instinct is to yell and let him think what he wants, but I know that will cause more hurt than anything. This isn’t about him and me, and I need him to know that.

I calmly walk over to him and place my hand on his shoulders.

“Colt, look at me.” I wait until his eyes meet mine. “I’m not leaving you.”

“Then why the hell are you packing, Sage?!”

“Colt, take a deep breath and let me talk. I will tell you.”

He pulls away from me and sits on the couch on the far side of my room. He rests his elbows on his knees and puts his head in his hands, running his hands through his hair.

I kneel on the floor in front of him and place my hands on his arms.

“My friend Abby just called. Her parents were in a car crash, and they didn’t make it.” I watch him look up, and his eyes meet mine. “She’s an only child and has no other family. She was raised in a strict church and has expressed to me a few times that she doesn’t want to be part of that church. She fears what the church might do now that she’s alone. She was in tears, begging me to help her. So, that’s what I’m doing. I’m going to help her bury her parents and get out of town. More than likely, I’ll bring her here until she figures out her next steps.”

He takes a deep breath and rests his forehead against mine, taking my face in his hands.

“I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions. When do you leave?”

I take his face in my hands. “It’s okay, Colt. I know what it must have looked like walking in here. I get it. I’m packing and heading straight there. I’m going to drive through the night.”

“Where does she live?”

“Tennessee, Memphis area.”

“How long will you be gone?”

“I honestly don’t know. A week maybe? But Colt…” I pull my head away from his and find his eyes. “I am coming back as soon as possible.”

I can tell he’s wary of this. We don’t have good memories of me leaving town, and that’s my fault. This isn’t like last time.

I lean in and kiss him softly. “Come with me,” I whisper against his lips.

“I can’t… the ranch,” he whispers back, sounding choked up. He knots his hands in my hair and pulls me to him for a hard, passionate kiss. His tongue finds mine and tangles, fighting for dominance.

When he pulls back, we’re both breathless.

“We will talk every night,” he says.

“And text all day. Video calls when I can. Colt, let me see your phone.” He doesn’t hesitate and hands it to me. I download an app and connect it. After a few minutes, I hand it to him.

“What’s this?”

“This allows you to track me and see where I am. I’m not running from you, I swear it. I hope this gives you peace of mind.”

He gives me a half smile. “Promise you’ll hurry home to me?”

“I swear as fast as I possibly can. I need to finish packing. Will you call everyone and let them know please?”

He nods and pulls out his phone again while I finish packing. Not sure what I’ll need, I reach to the back of the closet and pull out the black dress I wanted to burn the last time I had to see it.

Seven Years Ago

The clock on my car says one a.m. It feels wrong sneaking out of town in the middle of the night, but I can’t face everyone to say goodbye. I know Colt wouldn’t have let me go. He would demand answers I don’t have.

At the thought of Colt, my heart squeezes. He’s my best friend, my everything. So, why am I running? My sperm donor was my egg donor’s everything, and he was an abusive asshole.

That’s not Colt though. I know that, but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have the power to hurt me in other ways.

Thanks for Visiting Rock Springs. Y’all Come Back Now!

The sign mocks me. Rock Springs has been my home my whole life. I love Mom and Dad. They took me in when I had no one. Then there are my brothers and Megan. I will miss them, but I’ll be back for Megan’s graduation next year at the latest. I think I just need a few weeks or so to get my head on straight and think.

I need to clear my head before I face Colt again. Come on, no one meets their soulmate at age six, right?

Right?

Do I believe in soulmates? I think so. How can I not? If what I feel with Colt isn’t soulmates, then I don’t know what it is. My heart hurts more with each mile between me and Rock Springs. Between me and Colt.

I can’t think about all this, so I crank up the music and drive.

Welcome to Arkansas!

I stop at the rest stop and look at the map. I can be in Memphis by morning. I always wanted to see Graceland. I smile and point my car east.

My heart may be broken, but my soul is finding peace on the open road, fulfilling my bucket list.

As I near Memphis, my phone goes off. Everyone is up and must have found my note. I can answer them all when I get in.

As I enter a town, I see signs for a cute bed and breakfast, and I pull in, hoping they have a room.

Grace is up and making breakfast. I tell her I had been driving all night, and she ushers me right up to my room. She tells me to come down whenever I am ready. She will save me some food.

I get in and settle on my bed. I’ve missed calls from everyone but Colt. No texts either. I send out a group text.

Me: I’m fine. I just pulled into a B&B for a few days. Call when I get some sleep.

Then I close my eyes, praying I can sleep, and the nightmares will stay away now that there’s space between me and that place.