Page 58 of Balancing Act (Soulmate #1)

The car’s engine roared to life, cutting through the stillness of the day. Panic clawed at her chest, but Jamie shoved it aside. There was no time for fear—only action. As she pulled out of the driveway, one thought pulsed relentlessly in her mind: find Lily.

It wasn’t long before Jamie was stepping into the train station, her boots clicking against the marble floor.

The hum of voices mingled with muffled announcements as she scanned the room, weaving past polished wooden benches.

A wave of unease washed over her—how easy would it be to miss Lily in this crowd?

She positioned herself near the doors, her heart racing as she scanned the crowd. A grainy voice crackled over the station’s intercom, announcing the train’s arrival from Seattle. At the same time, a text came through from Beth.

Beth 3:55 PM

Her phone’s back on. She’s at the train station.

Jamie 3:55 PM

I’m here. I’ll let you know as soon as I have her.

Jamie watched the doors with an eagle-eyed focus.

There.

She spotted that familiar blonde ponytail bouncing as Lily moved toward her, unaware of Jamie’s presence.

Her heart squeezed as relief and realization washed over her.

Lily seemed fine. Unfazed, even. But seeing her among the other passengers disembarking, Jamie realized how small Lily still truly was.

For all her strength, skill, and passion, she was still a fifteen-year-old kid navigating pressures that most adults never would.

“Lily!” Jamie called out.

Lily’s head whipped around, her eyes widening when she spotted Jamie. For a brief moment, a guilt flashed across her face, only to be replaced with confidence as her shoulders stiffened, and she offered a small, regretful smile.

“Jamie? How did you know I was here?”

Jamie crossed her arms, giving Lily a stern look, but it softened as Lily reached her and hugged her tightly.

“Did you seriously think your little disappearing act would go unnoticed?” Jamie said gently, pulling back to meet Lily’s gaze.

“Your mom has been so worried about you. I’ve been so worried about you.

” She searched Lily’s eyes, hoping to find answers in the blue depths.

“I-I didn’t mean to scare anyone,” Lily said.

Jamie’s expression softened further. “I know. But, Lily, I’m curious—what exactly was your plan?”

Lily shrugged, her face a mixture of defiance and regret.

“I don’t know. It felt like something I needed to do—to get away from things.

You said you liked being here, in Oregon, away from everything because you could think, and I feel like I need to do some thinking.

” She held up her phone so Jamie could see the screen.

“I was going to take an Uber to your house. I got your address from Mom’s phone. ” She shifted her weight slightly.

Jamie nodded as she listened to Lily’s thought process.

“I get the feeling of needing to get away and clear your head, but we need to talk about responsible ways of dealing with life when it gets too overwhelming.” She peered at Lily, whose expression was still sheepish.

“Come on, let’s get you in the car. Your mom’s waiting to hear from you.

” The edge had slipped from her voice as the pair began walking toward the parking lot.

As they walked in silence, Jamie sent a quick text to Beth, letting her know that she had Lily, that Lily was safe, and that they would call once they got to the car.

“Are you mad at me?” Lily’s voice was quiet and timid, even as she asked the question Jamie had been waiting for. She could hear the fear behind her question. She heard it because she knew it all too well: the fear of disappointing someone.

“I’m not mad,” she responded, her eyes searching Lily’s face once more. She had the faintest dusting of freckles across the bridge of her nose, just like Beth, but a little less pronounced. “I am, however, worried about you, kid. Running away from your problems isn’t the answer?—”

Jamie stumbled over her words, the irony not lost on her. She’d run from her problems more times than she could count, but if there was one thing she’d learned, it was that they always caught up.

“I mean, running from things only delays what you need to face, you know? But talking about things and making a plan—that’s how you can make all those things that seem big and scary feel a little more manageable.”

Lily was quiet momentarily as she sat with her words. “I guess that makes sense,” she said, slow and measured, as if she were trying to make up her mind. But whatever it was, she decided it wasn’t worth saying.

Once they were settled into the car, Jamie handed her phone over to Lily. “Here, give your mom a call. She’s worried sick about you.”

Lily took the phone reluctantly, bracing herself, and Jamie tried to hide a smirk as she overheard Lily’s side of the conversation with Beth.

“Yes, Mom. I’m sorry. I know, I just—I didn’t mean to. Yes, I know. You just don’t understand! Jamie gets it?—”

Her ears burned at the mention of her name coming from Lily as if she, too, were in some sort of trouble.

There was a pause, and Jamie could practically hear Beth’s concern and frustration through the phone.

“Fine,” Lily muttered reluctantly, before handing the phone back to Jamie, looking slightly chastened. “She wants to talk to you.”

Jamie put the phone to her ear. “Hey,” she said softly.

Beth let out a frustrated sigh. Her voice was sharp and authoritative in a way Jamie hadn’t heard before.

“Well, she’s grounded, starting immediately.

” Beth paused, the sternness giving way to a quieter, more vulnerable tone.

“Thank you, Jamie. I swear, I don’t know how you always know exactly what to say to her. ”

“I get where she’s coming from. I used to feel a lot of the same things.

” Jamie said carefully, “I was wondering... if you’re okay with it—and if Sarah’s okay with it—could Lily stay with me for the night?

” Lily’s head whipped around at Jamie’s suggestion, her face brightening instantly.

“I think it might be good for her,” she added.

“We’ll grab some food, have a quiet night in, and reset.

Nothing crazy. And then I can drive her home tomorrow. ”

“Are you sure? That’s not too much?” Beth asked softly.

“Sounds like a fun night to me.” Jamie winked at Lily, who was hanging on their every word.

“Okay, well, if you’re sure...” Beth’s tone was filled with resignation and trust. “That should be good. My flight arrives late tomorrow, but you can drop her off at Sarah’s whenever.”

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll make sure she calls you before bed.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Jamie noticed Lily doing a small happy dance in her seat, her excitement radiating through an exaggerated shimmy of her shoulders. Jamie chuckled, and warmth spread through her chest as she realized how quickly the tension had eased from Lily.

“Thank you,” Beth said again, her voice heavier this time, as if trying to convey how much this meant to her. “I owe you.”

Jamie’s lips quivered into a playful smile as the words slipped out before she could stop them. “You don’t, but if you feel like you do, I won’t stop you.” Jamie cleared her throat quickly, straightening in her seat.

On the other end, Beth tried to suppress her laugh, but Jamie could hear the faint chuckle as she responded. “Can you please put Lily back on the phone?”

Jamie handed the phone to Lily, who eagerly grabbed it, lifting it to her ear.

“Yes, Mom—okay, I know. Love you, too. Bye.” Lily’s voice was rushed, but she ended the call with fondness.

She returned the phone to Jamie, a slight grin tugging at the corner of her mouth.

“Mom says bye and that she’ll be able to talk more when we call her tonight. ”

Jamie slipped the phone into her bag and turned her full attention to Lily. “Great. How about we grab some food? I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

Lily nodded enthusiastically, the tension in her posture melting away. “Yes, please.”

A little while later, Jamie and Lily were back at her house, a takeout bag from Jamie’s favorite burger place on the counter.

They ate their food on a makeshift table, sitting on the floor.

After they’d eaten, Jamie handed Lily a controller and loaded up Mario Kart.

“Don’t think I’ll go easy on you,” Jamie teased, grinning.

Lily smiled—her first genuine one all night. “Bring it on.”

They played in comfortable silence, the tension from earlier slowly fading. By the third race, Jamie noticed Lily glancing her way, as if she were working up the courage to say something.

Lily paused the game after kicking her butt for two rounds and place the controller on the couch next to her. Her gaze carried the same intensity Jamie had observed from her whenever she approached a new move in one of her routines.

“Jamie, why did you retire?”

Whatever she had been expecting Lily to ask, it hadn’t been that. Her mouth opened and closed once, twice, a third time before she managed to turn any word into a sound.

“Why?” Jamie asked cautiously, as she reached for her water, trying to buy some time. How the hell was she supposed to have this conversation with Lily?

Lily raised a blonde eyebrow at her, imploring her for an answer.

Jamie considered her for a moment. She could do this.

She could totally do this. But a bigger question loomed in the back of her mind.

It wasn’t could she do this, but should she do this.

Should she tell Lily why she walked away from it all at the height of her career?

Jamie swallowed hard, the words heavy on her tongue.

She wanted to protect Lily’s innocence but didn’t want to lie to her either.

She also didn’t want to run from her truth anymore. She exhaled slowly.