Ain't No Sunshine

Emily offers me a sympathetic smile. “Do you want me to take you to the airport?”

Do I? It seems extreme, but I’ve got nowhere else to go. “I think that’s for the best,” I say and then pull out my phone to text Summer, knowing it’s about time I filled her in on my messy life.

Cory: I’m heading home. Can you pick me up from the airport in a few hours?

Emily’s quiet for most of the trip, but as the signs for the airport get more frequent, she takes a deep breath, and I know a speech is coming.

“Nate’s a dick. A gullible, blind, foolish, and sometimes intolerable dick.” Okay, not where I thought she would go with it. “But…” Here we go. “I don’t think he has any feelings for Liv.” I cringe because she must have overheard our fight. “Did he miss the signs that she was trying to get him back? Yes. Did he make a mistake by not pulling away when she kissed him? Also, yes. Fucking idiot.” She mumbles the last bit under her breath and a small laugh escapes me.

“I still—”

“Oh, I know! You needed to dump his ass. Now that I see everything clearly, I know he needs to cut Liv out of his life, and the only way he’s going to do that is to think he’s losing you.”

“That’s not what I’m doing.” I’m not trying to teach him a lesson. I’m guessing it seems like that, but I’m hurt by everything that happened… the lies, the kiss, the revelations.

When we pull up in a drop off bay, Emily turns to me and gently holds my arm. “I hope you and Nate can one day work things out because I’d love to have you in my life. Safe travels, Cory. I really hope I see you again soon.” She smiles and shrugs, telling me she doesn’t know what else to say, and I don’t blame her.

“Thank you, Emily. For everything. You didn’t have to stick up for me in front of your mom, and I really appreciate it. Even if Nate and I don’t work out, you have my number. Call me anytime.”

After another quick goodbye, I exit the car and head inside, ready to be done with this night. I’ve just reached the counter when my phone alerts me to a text. I don’t check it until I’m through security and waiting for boarding. I have two messages.

Summer: Let me know your arrival time, and I’ll be there to pick you up. I have ice cream and Sam Claflin ready to go. I love you. X

I can’t help but laugh at her message. She knows exactly what I need to help with heartbreak, and I didn’t even tell her what was wrong. I need sadness, other people’s sadness, so I can cry my eyes out and pretend I’m crying for them. Sam’s my man when it comes to those movies. Me Before You. Love, Rosie. The Hunger Games. Okay, so the last one isn’t the type of sadness you were expecting, but it’s still a tear jerker in the end.

I take a deep breath and prepare myself for the second message waiting on my phone. Nate’s. I know I should wait until I’m curled up on the couch, with Summer by my side, but curiosity will kill me, and now’s as good a time as any.

Nate: You are my world, my sunshine. I’m so sorry I didn’t do enough to make you believe that. I’m sorry that I didn’t stand up for us. And I’m sorry that I didn’t see through Liv’s lies. But most of all, I’m sorry that I hurt you. I love you. Please don’t let this be the end.

A drop of water lands on my screen, and I realize I’m crying. I wish more than anything that I could accept his apology and move on. That it was that simple. But it’s not. And I honestly don’t know what each new day will bring. Right now, I can’t be with Nate. We need time apart. For how long? I don’t know. Could be forever. Point is, I’ve got nothing more to give.

I meant what I said before I walked away. We’re done. And I don’t know if that meant for now or forever.