Epoch (Transcend Duet #2)(80)

I laugh, giving her a big hug. “You could come with me.”

“No.” She releases me. “This is your journey. Make it magical. Be daring … but safe.”

I chuckle. “Daring but safe. Got it.”

“Sunblock and bug spray?”

“Yep.” I open the driver’s door.

“Condoms and lube?” She smirks.

“I’ll pick some up along the way. I think for now, my vibrator will do just fine.”

“Oh. Do you have bat—”

“Yes, Mom. I have batteries for my vibrator.” I slide into the seat and fasten my seatbelt.

She laughs. “Okay. But in all seriousness, take lots of pictures along the way.”

I hold my hand out. She takes it and gives mine one last squeeze.

“I love you, Mom.”

“I love you too, Swayze.”

I start to shut the door.

“Swayze?”

“Yeah?”

Tears fill her eyes. “You’ve exceeded my expectations.” She bats the tears away and swallows hard. “I’m so proud of you. And if your father were still alive, he’d say the same thing too.”

Well shit. I thought I was going to squeak by without actual goodbye tears. I guess not.

“Thank you.”

*

I pull out onto the street and think about all the goodbyes. They still suck. Every time. But that doesn’t deter me from making one last stop before I leave town.

“Swayze!” Sherri lights up with surprise.

“Hi.” I step inside.

She hugs me. “How have you been? We’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too. I’m actually just on my way out of town. I wanted to say goodbye.”

“Your mom said you were leaving. She didn’t tell me where you’re going.” Sherri frowns. “But that’s fair.”

Griffin. She’s talking about him and his secrecy.

“There’s nothing to tell.” I shrug. “I’m just following the road until I find a place to land. I don’t have a job lined up yet. No house. Nothing. Just me and the road … and endless possibilities.”

“Oh … well, you be careful.”

“I will.”

“Hey, look who’s here.” Scott comes down the stairs and pulls me in for a hug.

“Girls, Swayze is here. Come say hello,” Sherri yells out back.

The girls rush into the house, practically bowling me over with big hugs. “Where have you been?” Sophie asks.

“Been busy. That’s all. I’ve missed you.”

“Swayze came by to say goodbye. She’s moving,” Sherri says.

“Where are you moving to?” Chloe asks.

“I don’t know. I’m just taking the journey wherever it leads me.”

“I’m so jealous.” Hayley gives Scott and Sherri this look. They roll their eyes.

“Griffin’s coming tomorrow. You’re going to miss him.”

Everyone frowns at Sophie revealing this to me.

I smile. “It’s fine. Tell him hi from me.”

A day. I’m missing him by one day. I could stay. But … I’m not going to.

Fate … I have to believe in it for once. I have to believe it’s got something really great in store for me.

“We will.” Sherri gives me a sad smile.

“Great. So…” I jab my thumb toward the door “…I’d better get on the road.”

We share final hugs and lots of goodbyes. I fight every inclination to cry. I want to be strong for them. I want to be strong for me. But more than anything, I want them to be able to tell Griffin that I’m fine.

I am. I am fine.





CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT





It’s been two weeks since I set out on this epic journey of self-discovery. I still have no clue who I am, but I’ve enjoyed traveling without a destination and living without expectations.

I’ve managed to get a few design jobs done from hotel rooms along the way. Until I find a teaching job, I need to keep some steady income to support my wanderings.

“What brings you to Salt Lake City?” the apartment manager asks me as I walk around the studio apartment with the best view.

“The mountains.” I laugh. “I don’t know if I’ll stay, but since you’re offering a six-month lease … I think it’s worth a try.”

“You won’t leave.” She winks. “It’s yours if you want it.”

I turn away from the window. “I want it.”

*

I sleep on a cot the first night since I put my furniture in storage until I found a permanent dwelling. The next morning, I call my mom to give her an update. She’s pretty excited about coming to visit me soon.

After calling the moving company, I head out on this gloriously sunny morning to grab some essentials. I’m just happy to not be hopping from one hotel to the next.

Six months.

Salt Lake City has six months to make me fall in love with it.

“I’m already there,” I say to myself, giving the mountain range off in the distance a big smile. Yeah, I love this city. It’s new. It’s big. It’s exciting. And it’s mine.