Page 28 of Your Love

Kerri’s face crumples and tears fill her eyes. “My God, No! She was just a child. How could she have known what could happen?”

I arch my brow and wait for her to make the connection.

She releases a heavy sigh before responding. “I understand your point, but it’s hard for me to fully believe it. I’m doing my best to work on it.”

“But you don’t yet, and that’s exactly why you shouldn’t be with anyone,” I affirm. “You need to get to know yourself again. Trust yourself again. Find your worth, even though I already know what it is. It doesn’t matter as long as you don’t see it.”

“How do you do that?” she asks, the corner of her mouth arching into a grin.

“How do I do what?” I ask.

“Read me so well?” she replies. “How are you so perfect?”

“I’m hardly perfect. But I know you. You’re doing the right thing.”

“Just so you know, if I were ready, you’d be the only person for me, Christian Landry.”

She smiles and bumps her shoulder into mine.

Warmth radiates throughout my chest at her words. “For now, I’m happier than a pig in the mud to be your best friend.”

She smiles so wide I bet it makes her cheeks ache. “Yes! Now we’re talking!” she exclaims.

After a moment, she quiets. “I haven’t told the girls yet. They’re aware of bits and pieces, but not everything.”

“Well, for the record, you couldn’t have chosen a more perfect pair of friends. They’ve both been through some tough times, especially Ivy. No one will understand you or love you more than them.”

“No one?” she asks.

“No one but me.”

Chapter 12

“Kiss Me”

Kerri - Age 18, 1988

After my conversation with Landry the other day, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. He not only listened to me but also managed to ease my anxieties about talking with the girls about my feelings. Sash had already left for school, but we had a long conversation over the phone. She probed me for every little detail about Beau, but I held back, fearing that she might fly to Texas and castrate an ex-football star.

In contrast, Ivy was quiet as I poured out my heart to her. She sat on her bed, her golden locks cascading over her face as she listened. Although she faced different challenges in her own life, she knew what it felt like to be isolated and scared more than anyone.

Ivy assured me that she would always be there for me, offering comfort through her soft words and warm embraces. When I moved here, I never could have imagined that I would meet such extraordinary people who would change my world.

Today, as I pack the last of my belongings for tomorrow’s move, a whirlwind of emotions swirls inside me. Part of me is eager to leave high school behind and chase my dream of becoming a large animal veterinarian. But at the same time, I can’t ignore the deep sadness that comes with leaving this town and, most importantly, leaving Landry behind. My heart aches in a way it never has before.

We’ve made a promise to remain friends, but I can’t help but wonder if we’ll be able to maintain our connection as we embark on different paths. I’ll only be back during holiday breaks and the summer, leaving plenty of time for things to change in our lives.

Trying not to dwell on these thoughts, I focus on the practical task of packing my belongings into the back of my brand-new car—a shiny Toyota Tercel. My parents and grandparents decided I’d had enough of the Greyhound bus life and bought it for me. It’s a great car, bright red and polished, and it’s easier to drive than the old pickup truck. Even though it’s also a manual transmission, the clutch doesn’t stick, and parking is much easier.

I stop packing as the rumbling sound of a truck approaching catches my attention. I step out onto the front porch with a smile on face when I confirm it’s Landry, and excitement washes over me. When he hops out of the truck, every detail about him is etched in my mind—from the way his jeans fit perfectly around his strong thighs to the crisp white tee hugging his muscular chest and even the black Mavericks baseball cap that sits backward atop his head, taming his unruly brown curls. And when he affectionately calls me “Wildflower,” my heart flutters like nothing else.

My best friend is everything.

A small, reassuring smile tugs at his lips as he looks at me. This isn’t easy for him either, but he’s staying positive and strong for my sake. It’s just the kind of person he is.

“Howdy!” I greet him with a warm smile, causing his dimple to pop into view.

“What can I do to help?” he asks.