I step off the steps and slip into his truck. I’m quiet because I’m not really even sure what to say.
“I’m sorry you lost your job.”
He turns out of the parking lot onto the main road, and I watch out the window as the flurries get close to the windshield and then slip over the truck.
“I’m not.”
I sigh, “Had I never dragged you into this mess, none of this would’ve happened.”
“You didn’t drag me into anything, Jolene. I jumped in head first, and I’d do it again. I’d do it all again.”
I crinkle my nose, confused, “You would? Even after everything that happened with Hanna?”
“In any scenario,” he assures, “In any lifetime. I’d do it again. I’d do all of it again and never question any of it.”
“But why?”
He pulls the car off the road into a lot that I’ve never seen before.
“Isn’t it obvious?” He asks, and I just stare at him.
He cuts the ignition off and turns to me, “Do you trust me?”
Without hesitation, I nod. He peers into my eyes for a second and brushes his hand against the skin on my cheekbone, outlining the bruise. “Follow me.”
He opens the door, and I look at him like he’s crazy.
“It’s cold,” I remind him, motioning around to the snow.
“I know, but you said you trust me.”
I open my door, wrapping my jacket tighter around me. There is a raggedy old gate near the end of the parking lot and a bridge that leads to the sand.
The beach.
“What are we doing here?” I ask, and we stare out into the ocean, only the light of the moon illuminating the water as the snow continues to fall and the waves crash into the untouched blanket.
It falls quickly around us like a globe, and it’s cold but beautiful.
“Jolene, I’d do it all again because I love you. And before you say anything, you should know that I felt terrible about the other day. I shouldn’t have lost my temper. I reacted too quickly, but it triggered something inside of me, something awful.”
I’m speechless. I can’t even force words out. I’m not even sure that I blink.
“Say something,” He says, pushing my hair behind my ear.
I swallow and shake my head, forcing the tears back into my eyes. “What do you want me to say?”
“I want you to say you love me back. I want you to choose us.”
He reaches for my hand, but I pull it away, “It’s not that easy.”
He snickers, “What if I told you that it was.”
I twist my brows together, shivering. He pulls his phone from his pocket, pulling up his voicemail. Hanna’s voice fills the silence.
Eric, it’s me, Hanna. I know you are sitting in jail right now, and don’t worry, I’ve sent Jameson to come bail you out, but I just needed to call you. I needed to call you and let you know that you were right. I didn’t tell you how I felt, how I really felt, and the truth is… I was scared. I was scared to lose you because, before anything else, we were friends. Best friends. I was so scared that if I told you how I felt, I’d lose you as a friend, and I guess in some ways. I have. I never meant to hurt you, and I never meant to lie to you, but that’s what happened. Karly lied to me for the same reason, and I understand why she did it. I knew that Jameson was the one from the second I met him. When he came back, it was like a kickstart in my chest. All of those feelings came rushing back. If you feel that way about Karly, you would be crazy not to act on it. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is… I’m sorry.
The message cuts off, and I wipe a tear from my cheek.