“Peace.” She whispers the word as if she’s never heard it and then takes a deep breath. “Yeah, well, if you find peace, let me know. Until then, he can stare at his precious fucking pictures and pray for forgiveness, because that’s something he sure as hell won’t be getting from me.” Her eyes fill up with tears, and she tries to turn away.
“Damn it, Chloe.” I pull her into my arms, grateful that she lets me. “I wasn’t trying to upset you, and I’m not going to just forgive him and pretend none of it happened. Can we forget about this, please? I really don’t want to argue with you.”
&nb
sp; Her body relaxes, and she finally puts her arms around me. The memories of all the times she would cling to me at night when we were kids pop into my head. I tighten my grip on her and kiss the side of her head.
“Me and you,” I whisper.
She nods and sniffs. We stand like this for several minutes before I grip her shoulders and pull back.
“Let’s get you out of this dorm. How does that sound?”
“Like music to my ears.”
We spend the next several hours packing shit up, and when we’ve got the majority of it loaded in my truck, we drive to Rose’s and begin the daunting task of unloading it.
“I’m so excited,” Rose squeals, holding the door open while I lug in box after box.
“Me too,” Chloe answers. “I can’t tell you how excited I am to get out of student housing.”
“Oh, I bet. You’re going to love it here. Come on, I’ll show you your room.”
The girls disappear and then show their faces again when all the heavy lifting is done.
“One more trip to grab the things from your desk and your bedding, and that’ll be it.”
Chloe bites her lip. “Do you mind? I know it’s been a long day, but—”
“I don’t mind.” My phone buzzes in my pocket, and when I see it’s Adley, I answer.
“Hey. How’s the study group going?”
“Good. That’s sort of why I called. We decided to go to The Broken Boot to grab a late dinner. I was wondering if you’d like to come. You know, since we’re a thing and all.”
I turn and look at Chloe. “I, uh…I would love to, but I’m helping Chloe out with something right now.”
“Oh. Okay. Well, tell her I said hi.”
“I will. Adley?”
“Hmm.”
“If I wasn’t in the middle of something, I’d be there.”
She lets out a breath, and I picture her smiling. “I know you would.”
“Are you going to be out late?”
“No. Maybe a few more hours at the most.”
“Okay. I’ll see you at home.”
Home. Never thought I’d associate that word with a woman.
We end the call, and Chloe tilts her head and smiles at me.
“What?” I ask.