Page 52 of Ride or Die (The Shores #1)

CHAPTER

FIFTY-TWO

LAST DAY

LAYLA

A couple of days later, and I am finishing my last shift at the campus coffee shop while Colt is at home getting things organized for our drive across the country.

He rented a PO Box in Honolulu and wants to mail all of the cash from different places in the country, so he is getting all those ready to go.

He wants to leave as soon as possible, hopefully by tonight or tomorrow morning, so he said he will have everything ready for me when I get back from work.

I can’t believe that we are finally here.

We fucking did it.

My last shift was exciting yet sad at the same time. As much as I hated this job, it has been a sanctuary for me for years. It has paid my bills and fed me, and I have grown accustomed to my routine here. It’s going to be a little hard to let go.

“Girl, I’m gonna miss you so much. I’ll call if I ever make it out to LA.

My broke ass could use a couch to crash on.

” Elliott pulls me into his arms and gives me a big hug.

I squeeze my eyes shut, and my heart twists in my chest, knowing it will never happen once we toss our phones, and the fact we are actually going to Hawaii not LA.

I’ll probably never see Elliot again, and that hurts.

“It’s been amazing working with you and seeing you become this badass bitch that you are! You have that sexy man to thank for a lot of things!” He winks.

“Thank you for being a good friend, Elliott. I know, I’m lucky to have him and you.

You take care and be good to Tim, I think he’s the one for you.

” He waves me off, blushing. He has been dating this Tim guy for the past couple of months, and they seem quite smitten.

Sadly, with all the work I’ve missed and the drama in my life, I haven’t been a good friend.

“I think you’re right. All the best!” He waves me off again and gets back to work.

My heart is heavy as I make my way to the bus and onto the train for the trip home. Everything about the finality of this is bittersweet. It’s home, it’s what I know, and tomorrow, everything is changing for us.

I’ll never see this life again. I will never return to The Shores.

I walk from the train in about ten minutes, making sure to avoid the park, and as I’m rounding the corner onto my street, I get a text from Colt.

Mysexycarman : Hey babe, I’m at your parents’ place getting the rest of your stuff before we leave. Meet me here. Love you xox

Layla: Ok, see you there! Love you xox

I look up and see his car parked in front of their house in the distance. My heart races with excitement. Ready to see my man after a long, emotional day, I run up the steps to my parents’ place and burst through the door.

No one is in the living area when I walk in, and when I look around, the house appears empty. In fact, it's eerily quiet in here amongst all the trash. I’m about to go upstairs when I hear Colt call out.

“Hey, Lay, I’m in the kitchen!”

That’s strange. I told him the last of my stuff was locked away in my room, but I walk through the hallway into the kitchen to see Colt sitting at the table with my parents.

Something is off.