“I really wish they’d get their acts together or go their separate ways. It’s like watching a train wreck. Or a cow dying,” I muttered, making Gracie laugh.
“Preaching to the choir, girlfriend,” she said.
I looked over at her as she pulled onto the highway, heading toward Dulles Airport. “I hear through the grapevine that Mitch asked you to fly out. So why aren’t you coming?” I asked her and was surprised to see her tense up at the mention of Generation Rejects’ bassist.
It was common knowledge that Mitch had serious feelings for my dear, clueless friend, who I was beginning to think wasn’t as clueless as she let on. Poor Mitch. He was a good guy and it was now painfully obvious the feelings were not reciprocated.
“Yeah, I’ve got group and a meeting with my therapist that I can’t miss. I can’t really be around that scene yet anyway,” she said and I knew that while she was telling me the truth, there was more there than she was letting on.
“Okay, well you’ll be missed,” I told her and she smiled.
There was no more talk about Mitch. For the rest of the ride, Gracie and I talked about school and my plans to move to Massachusetts. And when she dropped me off at the airport, I gave her a hug and told her I’d call her once I got back to Bakersville.
“Tell Maysie I miss her. And tell the guys hello. And tell Garrett-” she cut off and looked at me as though she wasn’t sure she should continue.
“That you miss him?” I asked. Gracie flushed but nodded.
“He was a good friend to me when I needed it. Just tell him I said hi. The missing you part might be a little awkward. You know since he’s in love with my best friend,” she joked but I felt that momentary flare of guilt that always popped up when I thought about the feelings I trampled on to have the guy I wanted.
“I’ll tell him,” I insisted before heading through security.
The flight was delayed for a couple of hours due to thunderstorms in St Louis. I was going out of my skin by the time the plane boarded and we were in the air.
It had been three long months since Garrett held me. And I could barely stomach another moment without him.
Once the plane touched down and I gathered my suitcase, I practically ran to the arrivals terminal. When I saw his messy blond hair and blue eyes scanning the crowd looking for me, I thought my heart would burst out of my chest.
When he finally found me, I dropped my suitcase and took off running toward him. He met me half way and grabbed me up in his arms, holding me tight as though he would never let go again.
This was it. This was home. This was my life of purpose.
“I love you,” I said against his mouth and I felt him smile under my lips.
“I love you too,” he told me fiercely.
No matter what happened in the future, we would be okay.
No bending hearts because ours would never be broken.
And together, just like this, we were perfect.