“What’d you do?” Naomi asks.
“I ran into her younger brother one night. Me and a couple of guys I was hanging out with at the time. We beat him up so bad he was in the hospital for a few days. Ariana was there too and called the police. I was arrested a few days later.” I shuffle my feet, take a deep breath, and look down. “That’s why I went to jail for four months. For what I did to him. And I never got to graduate. I got my GED while I was in jail. I thought when I got out that maybe I’d be able to move past Valerie, but I couldn’t. It kept eating away at me, day after day, no matter how much I tried to forget. That’s why I was on the roof that night, ready to jump and forget, once and for all.”
There’s a moment of silence.
“What was she like?” Naomi says.
I smile. “She was funny and cool and intense. She was the kind of person that when she first moved to our school, she had no problem fitting in and making new friends. She had people lined up wanting to be her friend. She was intense and passionate about everything she did. She wrote down everything. She wanted to travel. I wanted to stay here.”
Naomi smiles too. “She seems like she was a really cool person. Like you really loved her.”
“She was, and I did. I’ll never forget her, no matter how hard I try. She was one of the best things that ever happened to me.”
Noami squeezes my hand.
“Just when I thought stuff couldn’t get worse in my life, a few months ago, my dad passed away.”
“What?” Naomi says, staring at me.
“He had a heart attack. I was on my way to see him. I never had a good relationship with my mom, but when he died…” I swallow. “She never even shed a single tear for him. I haven’t talked to her since.”
“Oh my gosh, that’s horrible.”
“My dad dying, Valerie dying, I felt like I was dying too.” I cough to get rid of the frog in my throat. “A few weeks ago, Miranda, Valerie’s sister, called me to show me something of Valerie’s she found. Something she’d written in her journal just before she died. It kinda helped me get past everything, finally. I realized I’m not supposed to live my life feeling guilty about the past.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Naomi says.
“I don’t know about that,” I say. “I never wanted something to happen to Valerie. But I forgave myself for that mistake. And all the others after it. Now I just try to remember her by all the other amazing times we had. My dad too. He gave me everything.”
Naomi gives me a small smile. “I’m happy for you. Honestly, I don’t know what I would have done in your place.”
“I just wanted to finally tell you everything. I felt like I couldn’t before. Like it would push you away, but even if it does today, I just wanted you to know the truth.”
“Thanks for trusting me enough to tell me.”
My hand touches hers for a few seconds, and then something pops into my head.
“Can I just ask you something?”
Naomi shrugs. “Sure.”
“Why were you on the roof that night? How’d you know I was up here?” It’s something that’s been nagging at me since that night. I just didn’t feel I could ask until right now.
Naomi looks away and then back at me. “I come up here too sometimes. When I want to get away for a bit. I like looking at the sky.”
I used to come up here and look down at the ground, at the concrete below, hoping that would give me some peace. Naomi did the opposite. She always looked up.
We smile at each other. The light of the sunset is in her hair, and she’s never looked more beautiful.
“Naomi, there’s something else I want to tell you.” I go on before I chicken out, keeping my gaze on her eyes. “I think you’re amazing, and I want to give us another shot. Being with you feels right, more right than anything else in my life right now. But I understand if you can’t.”
Naomi looks away, and I try not to be devastated. I knew this was all too much for her. Maybe I should have waited—
Then Naomi is looking at me again, at my mouth, and an instant later, her lips are on mine. Her hand is holding my head steady, and I never want to stop feeling her mouth on mine.
A few minutes later, we slow down and pull away. “So I’m guessing that’s a yes?” I ask with a smile.
She laughs and says, “Yes. Took you long enough.”
I hear ourselves let out a deep breath, and we stand up.
“Everyone has things in their past they’re not proud of but what matters is who you are right now. I’m glad you’re moving on.”
“I think there’s always going to be a part of me that thinks I should be in jail for the rest of my life for what I did to her.”
“It was a horrible accident, Carlos. You deserve to be happy. I think Valerie would have wanted that.”
I hug her and pull her close. It’s weird hearing someone else say Valerie’s name. In a good way. She squeezes me back, and I realize I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time. I’m never going to forget Valerie, but I’m only looking forward now.
Time to let go.
Author’s Note
First, I just want to take a moment to say thank you.
This is the darkest story (or at least, it has dark moments) I’ve written so far, and it wasn’t easy, but I felt that Carlos’s story needed to be told.
Sometimes, there’s more to people than we think.
And if, like Carlos, you’re going through something really hard, something that’s feels impossible to get through, just hang in there.
You are stronger than you think.
And sometimes, the right person, the one who will pull you out of the darkness, is just around the corner.
Thanks for joining me for the ride in this series. It’s been amazing :)
Have You Read My Other Series Yet?
If you loved the Changing Hearts series, you’ll also enjoy the Matters of the Heart series!
Check out the first book, When You Came Back, here: books2read.com/whenyoucameback
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Happy reading,
Yesenia
Acknowledgments
Even more thanks to my family and best friend for their amazing support throughout the production of this book. My best friend, Zendy, continues to be there for me in all aspects of my life, not just with my books. I can’t wait until I’m reading one of hers. Shoutout to my little girl for reminding me that sometimes I need to take a step back and just enjoy the little moments with her. She is my everything. Thank you as well to my husband for his support.
Last but not least, a HUGE SHOUTOUT to my amazing friend and writing buddy, Kendra Ayers, who keeps me accountable and is simply a great person. Thank you for being an awesome friend!
Last but not least, thank you to everyone who’s left an honest review and shared these books with their friends. I appreciate each and every person who has helped me on this journey and played a part in writing, publishing, and sharing this series. Thanks so much.
About the Author
I write young adult fiction about teens who are figuring out what it means to make your own choices.
&
nbsp; When I'm not writing, I enjoy reading, spending time with family, staying fit, and binge-watching Netflix. In 2013, I graduated from the University of Georgia, the first in my family to go to college.
I live in Georgia with my husband and two precious little girls. I also blog at writermom.net
Check out what I’m up to and grab your free book at yeseniavargas.com.
Also by Yesenia Vargas
Changing Hearts Series
Better Off (Prequel)
Without You (#1)
All In (#2)
Letting Go (#3)
Until Forever (#4)
Matters of the Hearts Series
When You Came Back (#1)
I’ll Be Here (#2)
Someday (#3)
Find all the download links and book descriptions as well as a complete list of my most recent books at yeseniavargas.com/books.
Letting Go (Changing Hearts Series Book 3) Page 12
