Overcoming Fear (Growing Pains #2)(128)

“Honey, he won’t last forever,” Marcus said to Krista in a soft voice. “I know that young stud, and while he can be stubborn, he eventually does see reason. He loves you, and he’ll find his way back to you. Give it a few months, and you’ll see. Knowing him, he’ll probably just show up one day like everything is fine.”

Krista sighed and wiped more tears from her face. “I hope so.”

“That’s the thing with men, we always know best, but we have to do it on our terms.”

“Know best, huh? Bunch of bullshit,” Kate spat.

Marcus fluttered his eyelashes at her again.

Finally, the day came to say goodbye. Krista had decided to drive the rental truck down. She wanted to see the coast. She also wanted eight or so hours in which to cry before she got to her lonely new home. Ben, who chose to live closer to work, had to finish out some things with school and his parents before he headed down. He was planning on flying.

Krista was double-parked in front of her house, dreading getting into the truck. Dreading leaving her friends and her boyfriend behind.

Kate and Jasmine stepped forward together. Once again, Kate was pissed, not wanting to show emotion, and Jasmine cried her eyes out. She gave each hugs and watched them stand aside.

Ben told her he would see her in a couple weeks with a giant smile. He was excited to move. Abbey was nowhere to be found.

The last person to say goodbye was Sean. He stood a little away from the rental truck with his hands in his pockets. He was facing the ocean, the breeze ruffling his hair. Krista went up to stand beside him, tears already in her eyes.

“Well,” she said quietly.

Sean turned to her, his eyes glassy, “This sucks Krista.”

She nodded, tears flowing. Sean stepped closer and put his arms around her. They stood there for a long time, neither of them knowing what to say, but not wanting to say goodbye.

Finally, Sean backed away. He looked deeply into her eyes, exposing his soul. “I love you so much, Krista. I’ll miss you. Please find someone who will take care of you, okay?” He stopped and looked away out to the ocean. He was losing control.

He finally shook his head and crushed her to his hard chest. She cried, grabbing onto him, wishing there was some way to make this right, but knowing there wasn’t. They stayed like that for a second, or maybe it was an eternity, until with one final squeeze, Sean loosened his arms and walked away. He didn’t turn towards home; he went straight to the ocean. Straight to his sanctuary.

Krista watched him walk away. She let him. Maybe because of her own lingering doubts that she wasn’t enough to make him overcome his fears. Or maybe out of pain that he could let her go. She quietly got in the truck and started the slow journey toward her new life, hoping beyond hope that Marcus was right. That this wasn’t really goodbye.

The End