Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Mom was in the living room with Aunt Jo. I’d already said my tearful goodbyes to Nuala, Tristan, Derek, and my aunt and uncle, promising I’d come visit again soon. I was going to miss them all like crazy but not as much as I’d miss the boy who’d quietly crept up on me that summer and stole my heart.
The back door opened, and I startled. Derek and Rhys appeared, sweaty and gulping mouthfuls of water as they arrived home from their run. My eyes found Rhys’, and I soaked him in. I had no idea what the future held. He might join some foreign army, go off to war, and get killed. I might succumb to a hereditary condition just like my birth mother had. One thing was for certain—if we ever did meet again, we wouldn’t be the same boy and girl who’d gotten swept up in one another for a sweet, blissful summer by the sea.
“I’ll leave you two to talk,” Derek said awkwardly before he swiftly left the room. I was barely aware of him, too busy cataloguing Rhys’ face, committing him to memory. His eyes remained glued to the shiny countertop like he couldn’t bring himself to look at me.
Stepping close, my hand reached out but he moved away, his voice strained when he muttered, “I’m all sweaty.”
My heart sank. I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. “We’re leaving for the airport soon. I wasn’t sure I’d get a chance to say goodbye.” My voice broke a little as I held back tears.
“Charli, listen—”
“No, I was being selfish trying to get you to come to America. You’ve got your own plans, and it’s not like you’re going to give them up for some girl you’re sleeping with.”
“You’re not just some girl,” he countered, his eyes darkening.
“I know that. We’ve become close this summer. You’re one of the best people I’ve ever met, Rhys, and I guess a part of me doesn’t want to let you go.”
“Fuck,” he swore, wiping some of the sweat from his brow as he moved towards me. “Come here,” he murmured before tugging me into his arms. He wrapped me in a hug so tight and all-consuming it knocked the wind out of me. The hug said so many things Rhys probably wasn’t brave enough to say. It told me my leaving was just as difficult for him as it was for me, perhaps even more so.
“Sorry. I’m getting my sweat all over you,” he said, pressing his mouth to my hair.
“I don’t mind.” I really didn’t. I wanted his scent on me so I could remember him. If I didn’t wash these clothes, I could let them comfort me when I was home in Boston, trying to latch on to the memories we’d made. The hoodie he’d given me was neatly packed away in my suitcase. I had a feeling I was going to be wearing it a lot.
“Charlotte! We’re leaving,” Mom called, and my stomach bottomed out. Every part of me didn’t want to leave the familiar, comforting warmth of Rhys’ arms.
Unable to hold the tears back any longer, I let them fall as I finally withdrew. I wiped at them, sniffling as I poked him in the chest, “Don’t you forget about me, okay?”
“How could I forget about the most amazing girl I’ve ever known?” he replied, and that just made me want to cry harder. There was a sheen of emotion in his eyes, too, and I knew he was struggling.
“Okay, I’m going,” I said, thinking that perhaps tearing off the bandage was best. “Thank you for the most amazing, wonderful summer, Rhys Doyle.”
His expression was full of conflict as I turned on my heel and headed for the door. “Charli,” he said, a desperation in his voice. Turning back, I noticed him clenching and unclenching his fist. I felt like he wanted to say something important, but then finally, he simply said, “Safe flight, yeah?”
My stomach sank, and I nodded, taking one final look at him before I continued on my way. Boston, college, and my entire future was waiting for me, but the sinking feeling remained, some foreboding voice in my head telling me that wherever my path took me, nothing would compare to my one unforgettable summer with a perfectly unforgettable boy.
Part Two:
The Present
19.
Charli
Sixteen years later.
There was a time when I’d planned to come back to Ireland regularly. I’d imagined myself spending a few weeks every summer with the family I’d spent far too little time with when I was young. Then I’d gone to college and met Jesse, and everything had changed.
The bright future I’d imagined for myself never materialised.
Don’t get me wrong, it didn’t happen overnight. It had been more of a slow, gradual process. Before long, I was living in a cage, cut off from the outside world, isolated and alone, held away from family and friends and reliant on only one person. I’d been trapped by a manipulative abuser who had complete control of me, mentally and physically.