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I push the button with my shaky fingers to hear what he had to say to me. I can almost feel the tears coming before I even hear him begin. His voice fills the air.
“Hey, Emily. I’m sorry. I had to go. I told Dustin to pick me up before dawn so I wouldn’t wake you up. I knew I couldn’t do it if you saw me leave.”
He takes a deep breath, and it shakes.
“I just wanted to say that I really liked what we had. The time we spent in the cabin was the best time of my life, and I will never forget it. Thank you for being there for me when I needed it. Uh… I don’t know where to start because there are so many things I want to say to you, and I don’t think my words will be enough to tell you how much I care about you.
You came into my life, and I wasn’t ready to let someone like you in. You remained, and you drove me crazy because being around you made me feel a lot of things I didn’t think I would. I tried so hard to reject you, and I’m so sorry.
His voice breaks, and he takes another long breath.
“You taught me a lot. You talked to me like I could see all the beautiful things you saw. And goddammit, Emily, I could see them when I was with you. I could enjoy all the little things in life, and I’m addicted to you. I can hear your beauty and feel everything about you—your happiness, your fear, and your sadness.”
He stops talking and sniffs.
“I told you I wasn’t your hero, but I wanted to be more than anything else in the world. So please let me be. Let me protect you. Let me keep you safe. Let me help you follow your dreams and have a happy life. I want you to be happy, Emily, and I have to let you go.”
He can’t get the words out.
“Eagle Wings isn’t for you. It’s only for me. It’s in my blood, where I belong. But it’s not for you. You’re not going to be there anymore because you deserve so much more. Live your life, Emily. See more of its beauty. For yourself. And for me.”
I cry as the message finishes. Difficult.
It hurts so much that I hold my chest. The phone slips out of my hand and hits the ground with a loud bang.
“You can’t—” I choke on my tears. “You can’t do this, Liam.”
He won’t allow us be with each other. He’s doing this for me, but my heart is already so broken that I don’t think it can ever heal without him.
My emotions fill the room, and I immediately miss the man with the kindest heart and the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen.
The man who would do anything to keep me safe.
I promptly call his phone. I need to talk to him again and hear his voice again to be sure he didn’t intend any of this.
“The number you called is no longer in service.”
My crying gets worse. “No.” My lips shake as I taste my own tears. “Please, Liam. I have to see you again.”
I swallow a knot in my throat. It hurts so terribly that I can hardly breathe.
Liam has let me go.
His last request for me to satisfy is to let him be my hero in his own noble manner.
A year later
“Over here, Emily,” my friend’s voice greets me as soon as I walk into the coffee shop.
My eyes go to her as she waves her hand with excitement. She’s with two of our other classmates right now.
As I stroll towards their table with my rucksack on my shoulder, I grin. I sit down and get out my laptop.
Lola, who just waved at me, squints at me and rests her chin on her fist. “Are you not going to order something first?” She looks at the counter and tilts her head.
I shake my head. “I’m good.” I generally drink my coffee outside.
Rick, who is seated next to me, mumbles and slurps her iced coffee, “I’m sure we can finish our assignment quickly today.” “Of course, now that Emily is here. Wow, Emily, you’re our life saver.”
I nearly roll my eyes. I let out a tiny laugh. She’s exaggerating.
Sofie says, “No, really.” “You’re always one step ahead when it comes to studying. How the hell did you get a good grade on our last quiz? Our teacher is a pain in the a*s.”
“That’s what happens when you really care about what you’re learning,” Lola says with a raised eyebrow. “Isn’t that right, Emily?”
I shake my head and bite my lip as I try to focus on our work instead. I really love learning about nutrition. A lot of youngsters throughout the world, especially those who live in poor nations, are having trouble getting enough food. I’m excited to be a part of a volunteer program that will help them.
I grin when I think of how I was advised to enjoy life and be happy.
We complete our homework and talk about things that aren’t really significant. I must say that I like being here with them. I like when Sofie and Rick argue and when Lola talks too much.
As a college student working towards my dream degree, I spend my days hanging out with pals after class. Ethan’s money is more than enough to pay off all of Kate’s insurance debt, Tyler’s school tuition, and the costs I need to go to college.
I can’t be more grateful while there’s still a great hole in my chest that I doubt can ever be satisfied.
Rick was right: we were able to accomplish the group project really fast. I’m pretty happy about it because I have to leave early to go to Tyler’s birthday party.
While they are still packing their stuff, I go to the counter to place my order. I grab my favourite coffee, throw my rucksack over my shoulder, and wave goodbye. “I have to go. It’s my brother’s birthday party today.”
“Have a safe trip.”
“Let me know when you get there.”
“Have a great long weekend, Emily.”
They repeat it almost at the same time, and I grin at them before going through the door.
As soon as I leave the coffee shop, the fall air welcomes me. I stop for a bit and close my eyes, relishing how it feels on my skin.
I start walking again and continue towards the tunnel, but not before I walk by the park where I typically sit and watch the sunset while listening to the kids play.
A football almost hits my drink, but I sidestep it just in time with a tiny yelp.
The youngster who just kicked the ball races towards me. “Sorry,” he yells from a distance as he rushes here.
I smile and pick up the ball that is rolling next to my foot. I toss it at him, and he catches it with a big smile on his face.
“Thanks,” he says.