Chloe (Made Men 3)

“I need the ones I have. Besides, they won’t match,” her mother snapped.

Her suitcases are black. How wouldn’t they match? Her mother knew she wouldn’t ever see any of her suitcases again if she lent one to her. Just like Chloe had no plans to see her once she boarded the plane to California.

“That’s okay. I’ll run out tomorrow and buy one.” Chloe sank onto the edge of her bed as her mother walked around, surveying the sterile room that had been her bedroom since her father had moved her into this house after becoming mayor.

“You’re going to take that broken music box?” she asked resentfully, looking at it sitting on her nightstand waiting to be packed.

The music box that no longer played had been her late aunt’s, the one who died while giving birth to her. She had taken one look at it and fallen in love. She could still remember opening the present her father gave to her, turning the key, and listening to the tune over and over again until her mother had made her stop.

“I’m going to pack it in my backpack with my laptop as a carry-on. I won’t have to worry about it getting more damaged.”

“Well … I’ll go. You don’t need my help. Good night.”

Chloe sat on the bed, watching the door close and wanting her ghost tears to be real. Neither of her parents were going to miss her. She could see them going out to eat in an expensive restaurant and toasting to each other that she would be gone when they returned home.

Ring.

Chloe picked up her phone from her nightstand, and Elle’s voice came over the phone.

“Are you still awake?”

“Yes. What are you still doing awake?”

“Nero decided he wanted pizza. I have to go get my parking permit for college the day your flight leaves. What time is your flight?”

“Eleven a.m.”

Elle let out a breath. “That’s good. I can pick up my permit after one.”

“I told you, you shouldn’t come. We will just stand around, crying.” She’d had this conversation with her so many times. It was going to be too hard on both of them if she came. When the tears didn’t fall down her face, it was going to break Elle’s heart.

“How about we do something tomorrow? You know I’m going to see you before you leave, Chloe.”

She shook her head. “But I have to finish packing and go to the mall to get a few last minute things and buy another suitcase—”

“Okay, then I will meet you at the mall tomorrow.” Elle’s voice held a smile.

Dang it … Even if she protested, Elle was going to be there.

“You’re not going to make it easy for me to leave, are you?”

“Nope!” Elle said, her smile more prominent through the phone. “Listen, you know Nero and Amo want to come to say one last good-bye, too.”

Chloe had somehow expected her to say that. She wasn’t sure if she could face Amo again, not after last night. The almost kiss had been a disappointment for Amo, but to her, it had been the only way she could live with herself. Staying in Kansas City wasn’t an option. She had watched Elle protect her through high school, and she wouldn’t watch another friend get hurt because of her.

Say good-bye to him.

It was going to be her last chance, and this way, everyone would be there. It wouldn’t be so awkward.

Chloe huffed loudly through the phone. “Who are you going to boss when I’m gone?”

A mischievous laughter came through the phone. “I plan to harass you by text message. See you tomorrow!”

Chloe lay down on her bed when the call ended. The thought of seeing Amo again was making her nervous. However, she wanted to say good-bye to him officially.

That way, he knows I’m really gone … And I’m not coming back.

Thirty-Seven

A Choice Must Be Made

Chloe and Elle sat in the food court, watching Nero and Amo get food. She had insisted on getting her own food, but Amo wasn’t having it. The tension between them was still uncomfortable, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as if they had been alone.

“I can’t believe you’re actually going to leave.” Elle looked like she was about to get emotional. “I mean, I knew you would; I just thought you might change your mind.”

“You know I don’t want to leave you, but you know I can’t stay here, either.”

“I know. I just always thought we would be going to college together,” Elle whispered.

Chloe had, too. They hadn’t expected Elle to fall in love.

“If I hate it after a semester, I can always come back and go to the university here with you, and we can spend summers together.”

Elle started tearing up. “I’m just going to miss you so much.”

“Please don’t cry.” Chloe’s heart started to break. This was why she definitely couldn’t handle Elle going to the airport with her. “You will always be my best friend. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you, and I thank you for protecting me when I couldn’t. I love you, Elle.” She might not be able to hug her and show her love, but she could at least tell her.