When Our Worlds Stand Still (Our Worlds #3)(10)

“I’m strong-willed.” Her words are barely audible. Violet huffs out a few exasperated breaths, crosses her arms over her chest, and stares out the front window.

We pull up in front of Bea and Alex’s apartment building. She’s tucked under the awning over the entrance of their old, dilapidated brick building.

“Hey, you all set?” I jump from the backseat and rush to grab her bags.

“Are you sure it’s a good idea for me to come?” Bea fingers the curls near her hairline.

The front passenger window rolls down to reveal Violet’s smirk. “So, you have a thing for our little Marky, eh?”

Bea groans and a giggle slips through my tight lips. Wrapping my arm around her, I tug Bea close. “You’ll be fine. You said the date went well.” Since their meeting, Mark came into the city for a little impromptu date with Bea.

She opens the door. “More than well. I’ve never felt this way about someone, and I barely know him. Is this normal?” She throws her purse over Amanda’s lap and turns back to me.

Amanda scoffs. “Oh, Bea, Kennedy is not the one to be asking.” I shoot daggers in my friend’s direction. “What?” Her hands go up in defense.

Violet twists to look at me with an ambivalent smile. “What she means is, our Kennedy here is a romantic. Even when everything in the world tries to tell her to stop, she can’t help herself.”

Amanda shifts down the bench seat, allowing Bea and me to slide in beside her. After thirty minutes of debating what kind of snacks we plan to buy, we are on our way to Connecticut with a car packed with beef jerky, Twizzlers, and laughter. It takes Amanda fifteen minutes before she falls asleep, leaning on my shoulder for support.

My gaze wanders around the small space full of the ones I love. The family I chose, the family who stands by my side, brings a sense of ease. My heart warms as Dan grabs Violet’s hand and squeezes. The softness in her eyes makes me melt into the leather seat.

Dan turns the music up a notch, and beside me, Bea squirms.

“You okay?” I roll my head across the headrest.

She shifts to face me, her back against the door. “What do they mean you aren’t the one to ask if what I’m feeling is normal?”

“I’m not sure if we have time for the story,” I answer. “It’s a complicated, twisted mess.”

She nods as if she understands. “Graham, right?”

Deep breaths.

“My high school boyfriend.”

“You’ve mentioned him a few times during group.”

“Yeah, I suppose I have.”

“What’s he like?” Bea’s curiosity makes me slightly uncomfortable. I’m afraid of where this is headed. “I’ve noticed when he comes up in conversation, you have two reactions. Your smile brightens or you fold up, hiding away.”

“I don’t know how to describe him.” I shake my head. “He’s tortured and strong. He’s impossible and loving. He’s everything and nothing, all at the same time.”

“You love him?” she asks sweetly, unaware of how complicated her question is.

“I’m afraid a love like ours doesn’t go away. Even with all the turmoil and heartache, you can’t will your heart to stop beating for someone.”

Bea draws in a deep breath and releases it, readying herself for our story. “So, what happened?”

I spin the brushed gold bangle bracelet around my wrist. “Which time?”

“I don’t want you to go,” I whisper into his shoulder as he holds me with the same urgency as I hold him.

Graham lets out an agonizing moan. “I know you don’t, but I have to, and so do you. The world’s waiting for you, Kennedy Lucille Conrad, and I’m not going to be the one who holds you back.”

I release him and walk the length of the car several times. His eyes are locked on me every time I glance up. “When will we see each other again?” Fear laces my words together.

Graham steps in front of me, a soft, sincere smile on his lips, and brushes my hair from my face. “I’ll be back for the trial and after, I’m going to make it to you as often as possible.”

“Promise?”

“I’m going to try my hardest.”

I groan at his inability and unwillingness to give me what I want.

“Kennedy, I’m not willing to make you a promise I’m not a hundred percent positive I can keep.”

“I can come to you before school starts,” I offer, desperate for a solution.

His lips graze my forehead in the sweetest of kisses. “We’ll figure it out. This isn’t the last time we’ll see each other.”

We stand in the middle of his driveway, holding each other for what seems like hours, but is only a few minutes. Once he’s behind the wheel, everything will change. My head and my heart aren’t ready for what that can mean.

Graham reaches around my trembling body to dig through his backpack, withdrawing a white envelope and a small box wrapped in gold paper.

“What is this?” I ask through a hiccup.

“It’s for you. Open it when you really start to miss me.” Graham smirks, knowing very well I’ll open the box as soon as he backs out of the driveway. He checks his watch and sighs.

“It’s time, isn’t it?” My lips turn down with my mood.