Total pages in book: 215
Estimated words: 199344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 997(@200wpm)___ 797(@250wpm)___ 664(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 997(@200wpm)___ 797(@250wpm)___ 664(@300wpm)
I walk away, getting halfway down the path toward my car when Abby calls out behind me. “You know, that’s really shitty of you, Zoey,” she says at my back, waiting for me to stop and turn around. “We were just innocent bystanders most of the time. The real person you have a problem with is Tarni, and now you’re just punishing us out of spite.”
I scoff, having to step back against my car to keep myself from swaying too much. “I’m not punishing you,” I tell them, already exhausted from this conversation. “I just no longer care. I’m too busy trying to spend every chance I have with the people who actually matter, the people who actually care and love me. I don’t have the energy to work you two back into my life in order to make you feel like you somehow matter. And if I’m perfectly honest, I’m not even sure I’ll make it to graduation. But for what it’s worth, you’re right. Most of the time, the nastiness came from Tarni, but not once did either of you step in and try to put a stop to it. Despite years of friendship, you allowed that bullshit to continue. So while the vile things that were said and done against me didn’t come directly from you, you’re both just as guilty.”
And with that, I unlock my Range Rover and climb in, needing just a second to sit and catch my breath.
I watch as Cora starts to cry and Abby pulls her away, leading her back to her car that’s parked behind mine, blocking me in, and I hope to God that they can use this as an opportunity to grow, to be better people. They drop back into the car, and it hits me that this could potentially be the very last time I ever see either of them, but despite how things were left, I don’t seem to care how they feel.
Then as they both get in and Abby starts backing out of my driveway, I pull out my phone and work on a new text to Noah.
Zoey: *Middle finger emoji*
Resident Asshole: What the hell was that for?
Zoey: You failed to mention that Abby and Cora knew I was sick. They just bombarded me, begging for forgiveness.
Resident Asshole: Ah shit. How’d that go?
Zoey: Take however you think it went and make it ten times worse.
Resident Asshole: Fuck. My bad.
Zoey: It’s fine, actually. I put things into perspective for them. Maybe they might have learned something for once. They didn’t even bother asking me how I was doing. They only cared how it affected their guilty consciences.
Resident Asshole: Fucking bitches. Always knew you were better off without them.
Resident Asshole: I’m on my way back now anyway. Want me to bring you cheesy fries?
Zoey: I’ll forgive you if you add a burger to go with it.
Zoey: And a soda.
Zoey: OH! And some rock candy. I love that stuff!
Resident Asshole: That rock candy is gonna cost you!
Zoey: I’ll give you a little peek at my laptop…
Resident Asshole: You’re lying.
Zoey: Totally lying…but where does that leave us on the rock candy?
Resident Asshole: You’re lucky you’re hot!
Zoey: HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!
A wide grin stretches across my face, knowing without a doubt that Noah isn’t just showing up with everything I asked for, but with everything and more . . . so much more. He likes to spoil me, and if that means making sure I eat as much as humanly possible, he’ll buy it, even if it means putting a dent in his bank account. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do to make sure I’m getting everything I need. He’s far too good to me. I just wish there was some way I was able to repay him for everything he’s doing for me. Just the nights where he holds me is so much more than I’ve ever deserved.
How does a girl become so lucky as to be loved so fiercely by Noah Ryan?
With Noah already on his way back, I put my car into reverse and back out of the driveway before finally getting out of here. I drive down to the cemetery and park as close to Linc’s grave as possible. It’s a beautiful day, and since being sick, I haven’t come down here nearly enough.
Making my way to his gravesite, I stand over him for a minute, staring down at the words on his tombstone and then gazing over the few pictures that have been left here.
Starting to get dizzy, I drop down into the grass, crossing my legs and leaning back on my hands. There’s always been something so soothing about sitting here with Linc. Most of the time, I can picture him sitting right here beside me, chatting away as though he were never gone.
God, I miss him, but I know he’s waiting for me, beckoning me to come and join him so that he doesn’t have to be alone anymore. Hazel once told me she feared my sickness coming back was Linc’s doing, that he needed me to be with him, and a part of me is starting to wonder if she was right. And if she is, how could I be mad at him for that?