Tracey
I fly into the house, slamming the door behind me again.
“Hey! You guys were spec—”
I don’t stop when Nikki greets me. I run up the stairs and collapse on to my bed.
I don’t even try to hold back the flood of tears. How could he? After everything, how could he? My heart feels like it’s cracking open. This can’t be happening again, not with Dak.
“Oh shit. What did the asshole do now?” Nikki is standing in my doorway shaking her head.
“Nikki, how could he?” I sob. Before she can say another word, a loud knock rattles the front door.
“Don’t…l-let…h-him in,” I hiccup between the sputtered words. I will not let this break me again. “I don’t want to see him, ever.” My heartbreak quickly morphs to anger.
Another knock, even louder and more frenzied, shakes the door.
“I got this,” Nikki says and heads down the stairs.
“What did you do, asshole?” she snarls when she opens the door.
“Nothing, Nikki. It’s a misunderstanding. Let me in.” Dak’s demanding voice floats up the stairs and my heart clenches in pain.
“A misunderstanding. Yeah, I heard that one before. No way, hockey boy. She doesn’t want to see you.”
“Nikki, I swear to God if you don’t move out of the way I’m going to—”
“You’re going to what? Come on, douchebag. Let’s go. I’ve been dying to kick the shit out of one of you hockey sluts for a while now.”
“Come on, Nikki. Let me in. I need to see her. I need to tell her…something.” I can hear the anguished plea in Dak’s voice. It almost makes my traitorous body want to run down the stairs and throw itself into his arms.
After everything he said about it being just him and me, he didn’t even have the decency to tell me our time together was over before going back to Bri. And why would he end it exactly the same way Sean did, on this night of all nights? How could he be so cruel? Maybe he’s been seeing Bri all along. Just one big lie…again.
“Go away, Dak. She doesn’t want to see you,” Nikki tells him again.
“But we’re supposed to go to Newport for Christmas break tomorrow,” Dak insists.
Shit. I forgot about that. My parents were looking forward to meeting Dak. I don’t know how I’m going to explain to them I did it again, allowed another lying, deceptive, snake into my heart. My mom will want to move in here to watch over me 24/7 after she finds out I made the same stupid mistakes.
“You should’ve thought about that before you did whatever the fuck you did. Goodbye, Dakota.” My heart slams against my ribs when I hear the front door slam closed.
“Merry Christmas,” I whisper.
***
Dak
I fucked up big time. I know it wasn’t my fault Bri ambushed me in my room. What was my fault was not telling Trace how much I love her before it happened. If she knew how I feel she might’ve given me a chance to explain. I should have told her she’s my sunrise, my sunset, my air, my water. She’s become my universe. Now she won’t even take my calls.
I texted her about a thousand times over Christmas break with no response. I can’t even believe she was ever mine to lose, but I miss her so much my heart hurts. How do I breathe without my air or survive without my sunshine?
“Dakota, open the door, honey.”
“It’s open, Mom. You can come in.” I’m stretched out on my bed staring at the ceiling when my mom sits on the edge of the bed next to me.
“Why don’t you come down and eat something, sweetheart? You’ve been in this room all week. Todd called. They’re going to Sunday River tomorrow. He thought you might like to go.” She brushes the hair out of my eyes the way she used to when I was little. “Heaven’s going. You should go and make sure she doesn’t get into any trouble. You know your sister.” She chuckles. I know she’s trying to make me feel better, but I can’t think about going to the slopes. The last time I was there I was with Trace. God, I miss her.
“I don’t think so, Mom. I’m not in the mood for snowboarding.”
“Dak?”
“Yeah, Mom?”
“What happened between you and Tracey?”
“Mom, I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Okay, but…are you in love with her?”
“Mom.”
“Fine. We don’t have to talk about it. All I’m going to say is, if you love her…truly love her…don’t lose her. Fight for her, baby. I saw the way she looked at you when she was here. The girl is head over heels, as your dad would say. And we were so thrilled to see you smiling and happy again. Don’t give up on her.” She stands and gives me a kiss on the cheek.
“Mom?” I call to her before she leaves.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Thanks.”
“Follow your heart, baby boy.” She smiles and closes the door behind her.
Follow my heart. Fight for her. How, if she won’t talk to me or take a call from me? I know Mom’s right, though. I may be able to live without Trace in my life, but I don’t want to. I need to get her back.