Because of You
Page 25
My dad’s smile widens. I know he wanted to walk her down the aisle more than anything. “No problem. I’ll be there.”
“Good. And make sure to bring Trisha and my baby brother with you,” Carrie says with a sincere smile.
Warmth springs into my heart for them. This moment couldn’t be more perfect. I don’t say a word to my sister about what just happened. I know she hates that kind of attention. I’m happy she’s finally starting to forgive him.
“Where are we going?” I ask, buckling my seatbelt.
“I have no idea. They just asked me to deliver you.”
“Who asked you to deliver me?”
“You’ll see,” she sings raising and lowering her eyebrows.
Oh god, it’s probably Farrah and Logan. They wanted me to go to some party at Cisco Beach with them. I wish they would give up trying to cheer me up.
We pull into the parking lot, but neither Farrah nor Logan’s car is there. Instead it’s Austin car with him leaning against his door. I look over at my sister with my heart racing inside my chest.
“He wants to talk to you,” she says smiling brightly.
I sit frozen in my seat. I want to cry and laugh at the same time. All I’ve wanted for the last couple of weeks is to see him, but now that he’s in front of me I’m scared to face him. “I can’t do this.”
“Yes you can.” She takes a hold of my hand. “It’s all going to be okay. Trust me.”
I look up at her with tears in my eyes. “Thank you.” I open the car door and step outside with every inch of me overwhelmingly trembling.
“Have fun!” my sister yells before driving off.
I walk towards him hoping to God he’s not here to tell me off again. “Hi,” I utter, trying my best to look into his beautiful dark eyes without crying.
“I’m glad you came.” His hair has grown a little longer and he looks like he hasn’t shaved in days. I wonder if he’s been as miserable as I have.
I nod. It is so hard to stand in front of him knowing I might never see him again. “When are you moving?” I ask with my voice almost cracking.
“My parents are moving out this weekend.”
“Oh.” I drop my head as my heart shatters into a billion pieces. I didn’t think it was going to be this soon.
“I’m not going with them.”
I pop my head up. “You’re not?”
“No. I’ll be staying at Derek’s until I have to head to school.”
I try to smile but I can’t. This is all too painful.
“Why did you do it?” he asks catching me off guard. Oh no, he is here to tell me off again. “Why did you listen to my mother?”
“Huh?”
“She had no right to ask you to do what you did,” Austin says shaking his head.
“You know?”
“Yeah, I know.”
“But how?”
“Logan. He thought I should know before I left.”
Logan? I can’t believe it. I owe him a big hug.
“Why did you do it?” Austin asks running his fingers through his hair.
“I didn’t want you to give up on something you wanted so badly because of me. I couldn’t be the reason you weren’t going to UT. I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“You tried to tell me at the party, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I had realized it was a huge mistake. I shouldn’t have told you such a horrible lie. I just thought if you hated me you would want to be far away from me. I wish I never lied to you.” A tear slips out of my eyes. I’m actually happy he knows the truth.
“And I wish I would’ve listened to you that night. I’m an ass. I couldn’t see past my anger. I said some real cruel things to you that night. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m just happy you know the truth now, and won’t be heading to school thinking I was unfaithful. All I wish for you is happiness at UT"
“I’m not going to UT.”
“What? But I heard you’re not going to North State.” I’m really confused now.
“You’re right. After what happened I just wanted to get away from you, so I guess your plan did work,” he laughs. “But I also realized that UT was never really my dream. It was my father’s dream. He had drilled it in my head for so long I began to believe it was my mine too.”
“So where are you gonna go?”
“Braden University. I actually really like the school.”
“Are your parents upset?”
“They were at first, but they know I’m doing this for myself. Besides they saw how much I was hurting from losing you. Trust me, my mother feels so guilty she’s agreeing to anything right now.”
“What about your brother? I thought you didn’t wanna go to the same school as him,” I say still stunned.
“It’s cool. Besides I’ll be the only freshman living in an awesome apartment.”
“You’re gonna live with him?”
“Yeah. So, you’ll have a place to stay when you visit me.” His takes deep breaths in and out waiting for my respond.
“You want me to visit you?” I utter, afraid this is all a dream and I might wake up any second. Please don’t let this be dream.
“Of course I do.” He lifts his hand and tucks a piece of hair behind my hair. “Jade, I’ve missed you so much. It’s been killing me not to be with you.”
“It has?” I swallow.
He grabs my hand sending an electrical spark through my body. I’ve missed his touch so much. “Don’t you see, I’ve fallen in love with the girl from across the street and I haven’t been the same since. It’s because of you I hope one day to be an amazing author. Because of you I’ve found real happiness again. You reminded me of who I really am.” His dimples appear making the butterflies in my stomach flutter all around my body. “I have two weeks until I have to leave, and all I wanna do is spend each day with you. I love you Jade.” He brings me closer to him and presses his lips against mine, awakening every part of me that has been dead for the last two months.
“I love you too,” I say with my tears of happiness running down my face.
He scoops me into his arms and spins me around as I seal my lips into his again.
Also by Maria E. Monteiro:
After suffering a great loss, Emma is ready to get her life back to normal. She is spending her summer, before her junior year, with her new boyfriend Court. They are both working at Fairland Park alongside her best friend Britney. Emma is spending all her time with Court and is really failing for him. But things change when she meets Nash. She begins to question her feelings for Court. Is Court the right choice? Or is Nash the right choice? Emma will fall in love this summer. But will it lead her to happiness or a broken heart? It will be a summer full of romance, music, and moments Emma will never forget.
With her heart once again spilt in two, Emma will have to decide whether she wants her friendship with Court to become something more, or give Nash another chance. She will start her junior year with her mind and heart in conflict. However, Emma will finally choose and falling in love again will be easy. But staying together will be difficult when past mistakes are exposed. Will they be able to let go? Or will they hold on to the past destroying everything they have? Emma’s life will never be the same when everyone’s hidden secrets are revealed.
About the Author
Maria E. Monteiro was born in Chile, but grew up in Sleepy Hollow, New York. She now lives with her husband and cat in the Catskills. When she is not writing, she is heading to a concert. Her passion for writing and music go hand and hand. Maria is currently working on Summer’s love story and other romances.
Table of Contents
1. Life is Full of Traitors
2. Not You Again
3. Dad Sucks
4. Dealing with a Racing Heart
5. Fooled Again
6. Beach Time
7. Had Enough
8. Getting Out Frustrations
9. Back to School
/> 10. Time for Some Football
11. Too Much to Deal With
12. Party Time
13. Head Spinning
14. Kiss Interrupted
15. The Day After
16. And It Begins
17. It Keeps Getting Better
18. People Are Talking
19. Warning: He’s Trouble
20. Surprise Done Right
21. Getting Closer
22. Friends Will Come & Go
23. Unwanted
24. Talking to the Enemy
25. Falling Deep
26. Seems Like No One Likes Us Together
27. Feelings Exposed
28. Braden University
29. Falling Deeper in Love
30. Accepted
31. Reality Hurts
32. Hardest Choice Ever
33. Dealing with a Broken Heart
34. Jade-n-Austin