Once again, a gust of soft breeze hummed through the quiet, autumn evening, pouring floods of memories through Callie's head. Her gaze traveled away from Larkin's rigid expression and zeroed in on her fidgety hands. This was harder than she thought it'd be. "My mom was born with a defective heart. But none of us knew about it until she died. She kept that from all of us and worked so hard to take care of all of us. She worked as a top executive in an investment bank, so she wasn't always around for the big moments.

One day, she had missed my gymnastics competition and she felt guilty about it, so my mom wanted us to hang out together. I was gonna teach her how to make my dad's delicious brownies and it was gonna be perfect. My dad had taken Ava to the park so mom and I could have a little privacy while we baked."

Her gaze lifted, meeting his. Larkin's strained look had returned, making the grief in her amplify the burning pain. The nerves tortured her as Callie took brusque steps back and forth, hating how hard every piece of this felt. "But then it happened, I saw her clutching her chest tightly while we were baking. I asked her what was wrong. But then my mom offered me a beautiful smile, her sweet dark brown eyes gave me nothing but comfort when she asked me to go to the pharmacy and get her some painkillers. I didn't think twice. I was eager to help her and I went out to buy some."

"I came home minutes later and found an ambulance in front of my house. I tried to run inside to see her but she was already gone.
Her heart just gave out. No reason. No complicated story. She had a heart complication and she died instantly. But it was until the paramedics told me what happened and I finally got the full picture.

Apparently, right after I left, my mom called 911. She knew her heart was failing and she didn't want me to see it happen.

According to one of the dispatchers, she had said this. "I think i'm having a heart failure and it hurts like hell. I'm alone right now because I sent my daughter to get me painkillers, even though I didn't need it. I just don't want her to see anything bad that happens to me. Please get here fast."

Callie drew a frustrated sigh that sounded more like a choked sob, ignoring Larkin's hawk-like gaze that followed every inch of her restless pacings. "She knew she was going to die, so she didn't want me to see it. My mom was trying to protect me, but I felt miserable because I didn't even know if I could save her. I am tired of people trying to protect me when their actions cause only pain to me. I don't know if I could have saved her but I wish I had that choice."

"That's the story I've been hiding from you. I guess I'm just a girl who terribly misses her mom and is tired of doing all of this alone." Callie's voice trembled as she spoke. Her eyes stinging with angry tears at the long-lost memories she tried to bury.  

Larkin appeared right in front of Callie, his eyes sparking with grief. He knew exactly how she felt and he didn't want her to feel alone like he did. Larkin cupped her cheek, wiping away any teardrop that dared to fall. "Hey, hey. Look at me. It's gonna be okay."

She stared into his glowing, green eyes, feeling completely powerless by his words and buried herself in his arms. He stroked her back slowly, evoking enough comfort to pull her out of the state she was in.

Callie stalked away from his embrace and said quietly, almost forgetting why she was so upset. "I don't like to talk about my past because it involves talking about my mom too. She's in it, no matter how hard I try to avoid it." Her mood instantly switched up and a ball of unexpected anger rose, a reminder of everything that transpired between them and the amount of times they caused each other pain. "I'm sorry I'm a fucking hypocrite but you're right about one thing. We only hurt each other and I can't live with that."

Larkin stared at her, bewildered. "Callista, I don't care about that. I want—"

"I care about that. I'll always care about it, and that's why I need to quit working for you. I'm going to stay out of your life. It's gonna hurt like crazy because I might actually be in love with you. I don't know. Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not. I don't even know why I'm telling you all these. Hell, I'm still trying to get my shit together, but I truly want you to enjoy your life without me. At least, it'll help to cut down the unnecessary drama in your life."

Larkin grimaced when she spun on her heels without giving him a moment to respond. Once more, his heart sank lower in his chest. The only two girls he cared about left him but this time, the thought of Callista leaving him hurt more than he imagined. Instantly, he remembered Becca's parting words. He didn't want to tie Callista down unfairly. So if letting her go could give her happiness, then he was ready to do that for her. Even if it hurt so bad, Larkin knew he had to be selfless.

★★★
Callie spent the almost the whole day feeling miserable. After everything that happened with Larkin yesterday, she made sure she avoided interacting with anyone, wallowing in her loss.

Even her dad seemed concerned by her sudden change in attitude, but he'd been too polite to ask. Callie wished she could reach out to Naomi and talk about everything but she didn't even know where to start from. Things with Larkin had gotten way too deep and Naomi didn't even know him so there wasn't much she could do.

Callie promised herself that she'd tell Naomi everything really soon. She deserved to know, and while Callie struggled with trusting people, Naomi had proven herself to be a wonderful friend.

An exhausted sigh tore through her. Callie knew she had only one person to talk to, so it didn't take long to share a video call with Aunt Georgia.

With Aunt Georgia's beautiful red curls and warm smile painted on her phone's screen, it felt good to see her again. It had been so long since they'd interacted and no one knew her better than Aunt Georgia did.

"Lissie, what's wrong? You look like you swallowed a skunk."

That was another thing Callie missed about her. Her crazy sense of humor and her corny jokes. "Jeez, Aunt Gee. I just got my heart broken."

"Is it Larkin?" Aunt Georgia asked, which Callie responded with a slow, pained nod. Then Aunt Georgia scowled. "That little punk. When I get to J.G, I'm gonna rip his head off and—"

"Aunt Georgia. Come on, it's not that bad." Her words came out surprisingly soft and drained, as she watched Aunt Georgia's temper simmer down.

"It's that bad. He hurt you." Aunt Georgia's voice turned solemn, concern crinkling her eyebrows. "So what happened?"

And with that, Callie spilled her guts, confessing all that happened and trying hard not to burst into tears.

Aunt Georgia's lips crumpled. "I'm so sorry, Lissie."

"The worst part is that he didn't chase after me like they do in the movies. He just let me go."

Aunt Georgia tilted her head the way it always did whenever she wanted to ask a question. "Would you have changed your mind if he did?"

"I don't know but it made me feel like he didn't care." Callie mumbled. Her heart clenched at the thought of him, melting at memories of their times together. Her time with him felt so short but it made her feel happy again. Like a real teenager for once. Too bad, it ended so badly. God, she hated how often her temper got the best of her. It just kept on ruining things with Larkin. Would he even want her back after these many crazy outbursts? 

Almost like Aunt Georgia could read her emotions, she assured her. "Trust me, Lissie, this boy's crazy about you. I've been a teenager before and that's not how teenage boys act. They only care about sex and booze. But he's different. He actually gives a shit and he doesn't want to hurt you. Even adult men aren't as considerable as he is."

Callie chuckled. "Not all teenage boys care about only booze and sex. That's a terrible stereotype."

"Whatever. But you get what I mean. You shouldn't be overthinking this. I understand how protective you get when it comes to Abe but you need to empathize with his situation." Aunt Georgia's lips creased into a mischievous smile that looked like she was fighting back a devilish thought. "Infact, you should be enjoying the attention this cute guy is giving you and then, you can dump him when you're bored. Just give him a taste of his own medicine."

"I can't do that. He's very fragile. And so am I. I don't think I can do what you used to do with guys. It'll be too mean. No offense."

Aunt Georgia wore a brief, surprised look that twisted into something calming. Understanding had settled into her green eyes and she answered her softly. "You're right. I can't imagine doing that with Elias. It'll break my heart. But at least, give yourself the chance to try again. So what if he doesn't chase you like they do in rom-coms, you have legs too. Go after him. Be the Lloyd Dobler to his Diane Court."

"What are you talking about?" Callie's nose wrinkled, trying to recollect where she'd heard those names from. 

"You don't know the boom box scene?" Aunt Georgia gaped when Callie shook her head. A frustrated huff blew out instantly. "From the movie 'Say Anything'? Jesus, what does your generation even watch?"

Callie rolled her eyes at Aunt Georgia's surprised outburst. "Sorry I don't know anything about a movie in the '70s."

"It's from the '80s and that movie's a classic." Then she grumbled under her breath. "And you claim to be a movie buff."

Callie shot her an exasperated laugh. "I can hear you."

"That's the point." Aunt Georgia whipped.

"I'm more into books. Not movies. But I love book adaptations to plays or movies."

"Okay nerd. Whatever." Her smug expression washed away, leaving Callie with yet another, comforting tone. "Just do things that makes you happen. You're a smart girl, I'm sure you'd know what's right."

If Aunt Georgia was right in front of her, she'd have hugged her. Her godmother's words rang through her head. She really missed Larkin and it made no sense to keep punishing herself anymore. With her heart swelling with excitement, she made a satisfied smile. Callie was sure that she was ready to win back the boy she loved.

★★★
With only 5 chapters left, I'd like to ask if anyone has any question about this book so that I can add and answer them in the bonus chapter (or the possible interview chapter. Not sure yet. Fingers crossed). Any question, no matter how silly or serious it might be, will be answered and your name will be highlighted there and you'd stand a chance to have a chapter dedicated to you. Only one random and lucky person gets to have the opportunity to have the chapter dedicated to the reader. (Please send your questions to my DM, not on the book comment section. It will all be answered in good time)

Thank you very very much.
Xoxo
Jasmine