Page 29 of If the Summer Lasted Forever

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

You’d think after all that, I’d sleep like the dead for the next several days. I don’t.

It’s three in the morning, and I’m staring at the ceiling, wondering how things went from good to awful so quickly. And, of course, I’m replaying everything in my head, making different choices.

But it makes no difference now.

There’s no going back. Landon’s family leaves tomorrow. I haven’t seen him since the day we found Caleb in the canyon.

It’s as I’m lying here, so desperately wishing I could take back what I said to Landon, that my phone chimes with a text.

Are you awake?

My chest constricts, and I stare at the words on the screen…wondering if I should even answer.

Yes.

Meet me at the gazebo in five minutes.

Five minutes doesn’t give me a whole lot of time. I toss back the covers and slide my feet into the flip-flops by the side of the bed. Then I throw on a long cardigan over my shorts and sleep shirt and hurry outside.

Landon’s already waiting for me. It’s probably where he was when he sent the text.

My thin cotton outfit isn’t suited for the cold night air, and I hug myself to keep warm.

“Don’t say anything,” he says, stepping forward. “Just let me talk.”

I purse my lips, not sure what to expect.

He sets his warm hands on my upper arms, but he doesn’t pull me any closer. “I don’t regret coming here or meeting you. It wasn’t a mistake. You weren’t a mistake.”

Then his hands move from my arms to my cheeks, and he presses his lips to mine. It’s a middle of the night kiss—firm, desperate, far too short.

“Take care of yourself, Lacey.”

And then he’s gone. I watch him walk away, my mouth parted, hand reaching out to stop him, but what magic words can I say to change the circumstances?

Paige said you have to date at least three guys before you find your forever. Maybe she’s right.

Or maybe Landon was my forever, and it was just our timing that was all wrong.

Either way, Landon’s gone.

Paige pokes her head in my bedroom and frowns. “Hey.”

I roll her way. “Hi.”

“You’re still in bed.”

“I met Landon last night at three.”

Her eyebrows rise, and a smirk brightens her face. “Do tell.”

I roll my eyes. “He just wanted to say goodbye.”

She sits next to me, frowning. “That’s it?”

I nod.

“So, you guys are…over? Just like that?”

“I guess so.”

My friend searches my face, looking for signs of doubt. “They’re just packing up the last of their things,” she says slowly, her tone more hesitant than I’m used to. “If you hurry, you could probably give him a proper goodbye. Maybe one where you don’t end this so abruptly?”

I stare at her, wanting to pull the sheets over my head.

But I don’t.

“Do you think I should?” I finally ask.

“I think if you’re going to do it, you need to hurry.”

And that’s all it takes. I’m up, scurrying around my bedroom, trying to find clothes. I don’t even care if they’re clean as long as they’re not pajamas.

“Leave it!” Paige coaxes when I pick up a brush to tackle my hair. “You don’t have time. Just go.”

I stare at my reflection in all its bedhead glory, and then I realize she’s right. I grab an elastic band and twist my hair up as I run out the door.

I jog down the campground road, praying they’re still here. People call greetings, asking why I’m in such a hurry, but I only wave. I round the last corner, out of breath and panting, and then stumble to an abrupt stop.

The Tillmans and all their bikes, tents, dogs, and kids are gone. The site sits vacant, just as clean as the day they arrived.

I choke back a sob and resist the urge to sink to the ground.

Slowly, I walk back to the house. Halfway there, I realize they might have stopped at the office before they left. On wobbling legs, I run for the parking area, silently begging them to be there.

But the parking lot is empty. I turn toward the road and just catch a glimpse of the Tillmans’ RV as they turn onto the highway, heading away from Gray Jay, onto bigger, better things.