“Does she know?” The thought of Drake’s entire family knowing my story saddened me. They were such wonderful people.
“I don’t think so,” he said as he shook his head, and then he turned pleading eyes on me. “I’ve been thinking about all of this, Lucy. Is it really that big of a deal?”
Frustrated, I threw my hands up in the air. “You don’t think it’s a big deal that my past could destroy the future of the man I love?”
“No, I’m sorry but I don’t.” Mason ran a hand through his hair. “This has nothing to do with him and everything to do with you.” When I glared at him, he said, “Don’t look at me that way. I didn’t mean it like that. What I meant was, well, Gretchen told me Drake will do anything to protect you.”
“I’d do the same,” I said sadly. “That’s why I think I need to end this so he can go on and do great things.” Just saying that tore my insides to shreds, but I knew it was true.
“What happened to you was unfair and borderline criminal, in my mind. When I think about how alone you must have felt all those years ago, it infuriates me. The thing is, it was years ago. You were a kid, and no one can hold you accountable for that.” His face tightened as he added, “Your parents are a different story.”
“I just feel so guilty,” I said, blinking back tears. “Do you realize how many lives I’ve affected? My boyfriend didn’t even have a say in the matter, but he probably would have chosen prison. Now he’s gone, and his family doesn’t even have a grandchild to remind them of him, because of the choice I made. In hindsight, I should have run away, but I was so terrified at the time, I just stayed.”
Then it dawned on me—I did run away. I just ran too late.
Sighing, I said, “Maybe the best thing to do is to let him go forever.”
“You’re wrong, Luce. But whatever you decide to do, you’ll always have me.”
“Thank you, but you need to live your own life.”
Mason was a great guy; he deserved all the good things life had to offer. Babysitting me for the rest of his life wasn’t what I wanted for him.
“Well,” he said warily, “I do have something to tell you. I wasn’t going to, but I need your advice.”
“Thank God, because I’m tired of talking about myself.” I wiped my tears away and straightened my spine. I needed to be there for him just as he’d always been there for me.
Mason smiled. “I’ve been offered an assistant coaching position at a Division One college.”
I squealed and clapped my hands. “Oh my God, Mason! Congratulations!”
His face lit up. “If I take it, I’ll be leaving in July, so we’ll have to postpone our camping trip because I’ll be moving.”
My elation was short-lived. “You’re moving?”
“It’s UCLA, Luce. I’ll be moving to California.”
Sadness swamped me, but I forced it back. There was no way in hell I’d make him feel bad about this. How could I when deep down, I was so happy for him.
“I’ll miss you.”
His head bobbed slowly in acknowledgment. “I’ll miss you too. But we can Skype, and I want you to come out to visit me once I get settled.”
“I will. I promise.” A thought struck me, and I smirked. “I can’t believe you’re leaving me with those bitchy women at school.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, sorry about that. Can’t say I’ll miss them. But I have a feeling you’ll be just fine. Follow your heart, and it will lead you exactly where you need to be.”
? ? ?
Once I’d pulled myself together and touched up my makeup, Mason and I headed over to Juno’s, which we considered our place. The happy-hour crowd was there, and cocktails were flowing. I hadn’t been sleeping well since Memorial Day and had been so stressed out, I needed this to try to take my mind off my situation with Drake.