Page 50 of Burn Falls

“I can’t believe you’re leaving in two weeks. I’m going to miss you,” V said as the Uber driver drove to my apartment. We were sharing a car and then she was heading to her place after they dropped me off.

“I know. Promise me you’ll come visit?”

“Of course. Hearing about the Northern Lights makes me want to see them now. You’ll have to take me, though wearen’tkissing.”

We both laughed. “I will take you, and I promise not to kiss you. Once my mother gets back on her feet, and I find my own place, I’ll fly you out to help me decorate.”

“Deal.”

We said our goodbyes after the driver pulled up to my building, and as I made my way up to my apartment, my phone buzzed in my purse. Draven:

Did you make it home safely?

I smiled and texted back.

Yes, just walking in the door now.

Good. I’m heading to the hospital now. I’ll call you later if I get a break.

The ringing of my phone woke me from my dreams. Glancing at the clock, I saw that it was almost midnight.

“Hello?” I answered, my voice groggy.

“Hey, it’s Draven. Sorry to wake you.”

“I wasn’t asleep,” I lied.

He chuckled into the phone. “Right. I’ll let you go.”

“No!” I shot up in bed, fully awake at that moment. “It’s okay. Really.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I want to know how your night has been.”

“Hasn’t been too bad. People in with the flu and whatnot. Did you start packing?”

“No. I need to get boxes tomorrow after work.”

“So, uh …” Draven hesitated. “I called my friend Martin and told him that you might need his help to move.”

“What? You did?” Even though I was giving my two-week notice at work, I still had a month before I had to be out of my apartment.

“I know what it’s like to pick your life up and move thousands of miles away, sweetheart. I wish that I could be there to help you every step of the way, and I figured that Martin was the next best thing. He’s my best friend besides Athan.”

“You didn’t need to that.”

“So, you have it all planned out?”

“Well, no.”

He paused for a moment, and I envisioned him taking in a deep breath. “I need to tell you something.”

I swallowed. “Okay?”

“I haven’t been completely honest with you …”

My heart dropped in my chest as I waited for him to continue. I had no idea what he was going to tell me, and it made me instantly nervous.