Cash Motherfuckin’ McGraw if you did.”
“Don’t cuss, baby.”
She rolled her eyes at me.
“You sassin’ me, darlin’?”
“Maybe.”
“Through all the ups and downs of life, you are by far my most precious reward.”
She beamed. “I’ve loved you since the first time you sang to me. You’re my soul mate.”
“Then why won’t you marry me?”
“It’s not the right time, Cash.”
“You keep sayin’ that.”
“It’s the truth.”
“You tell me when that is, and I’ll make sure to ask. Yeah?”
She kissed my lips. “You’ll be the first to know.”
I closed my eyes and grabbed onto the sides of her face, wanting no distance between us. I claimed her mouth, reminding her of how much she owned every last part of my soul.
“I love you, Journey.”
She smiled against my mouth.
“You’re my June.”
My eyes opened and everything inside me went still.
Quiet.
I jerked back, stunned as hell.
“What?”
She followed my stare as I shockingly breathed out,
“Harley’s here.”
Chapter 35
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”
-David Bowie
<>Cash<>
“I knew she’d come.”
My eyes locked with Journey’s. “You got somethin’ to do wit’ this?”
“Maybe.” She smirked. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
I watched Journey walk inside, inhaling a deep, solid breath for what I knew was to come. I couldn’t believe Harley was here.
For me.
I stood there for a few seconds, before I made my way over to her. Instantly grateful she chose to stand at the other end of the facility, furthest away from everyone. With each step in her direction, I felt torn on what to say first and how to say it. I hadn’t spoken to my best friend since she told me she was pregnant. The last time I saw her was at Bailey’s birthday party, and we all know how that ended. My heart was pounding a mile a minute with each step I took. Not knowing what to expect, but knowing I could spend hours and days apologizing to her.
Harley, Jackson, and Bailey’s names were frequently brought up in my therapy sessions. There was so much I wanted to say to them, so much I needed them to hear.
No better time than the present, right?
Once I was standing in front of her, I slid my hands into the pockets of my hoodie and eyed her up and down. She looked beautiful as always. Older, more mature, but I could still see the girl I grew up with.
The one who wasn’t afraid to get dirty.
To cuss.
To stand up to anyone and speak her mind. Including, me.
My girl.
My family.
My best friend.
There was a familiar, yet unnerving way about how she was looking at me. We were both lost in each other, remembering all the good times and especially the bad. It lingered over us. Our friendship flew through her eyes, mirroring my expression.
Unable to hold back any longer, I was the first to break the silence. “Hey there.”
She nodded. “You look good, Cash.”
“I feel good. It’s amazin’ how quick you can forget what it’s like to feel normal. If that makes any sense.” I scoffed out a chuckle as I peered down at my shoes, kicking dirt around with my feet. “I’m a stumblin’ fool. I’m nervous.”
“It’s just me, Cash.”
Our eyes connected. “All the more reason.”
Neither one of us said a word. We stood there for a few minutes with our minds held captive by my bad decisions.
“Journey has told me a lot ’bout your recovery.” She brought it up first. “I’m glad you’re gettin’ help.”
“I swear she’s an angel in disguise. I didn’t know she talked to you ’bout me.” Rubbing the back of my neck, I tried relieving the tension forming. “It’s just another thing I gotta thank her for.”
“She loves you. She’s always loved you. You’re lucky to have her in your life.”
“I know. To be honest, I’m damn lucky to have our family in my life, after the shit I did to everyone.”
“No one stopped lovin’ you after you left, Cash.”
“Yeah, I realize that now. Not so much back then. I was a fuckin’ mess. There’s a lot I needed to sort out. I’m still workin’ through my steps, and I’ve been wantin’ to stop by and talk to you and Jackson. I just...” I shrugged. “I fucked up, Harley. Out of everyone, I fucked up wit’ you the most.”
“No shit!”
Our stares shot toward the person I least expected to see.
Jackson.
“Babe, please don’t,” Harley pleaded, her tone changing drastically.
“I could say the same to you,” he reprimanded. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“How’d you even know I was here?”
“I