Page 90 of Come Back to Me

Willow is leaned up against her car, waiting for me. I can see small beads of sweat glistening on her forehead.

“Ugh, I can’t wait to blast the A/C when I get in my car,” she says loudly.

Willow Thorne has been working at Sweet & Salty since my freshman year of college. I don’t know if our paths would’ve crossed if itwasn’t for this bookstore. She’s a graphic design major, and she’s getting a minor in animation.

She was the only friend I had when I started SCU, but I’m grateful to have more friends like Dani and Bella. Maybe Sage will be a part of the group if I’m able to get her to forgive me for going off on her the way I did.

“Then go! I’ll meet you there.”

She breathes out a sigh of relief. She rushes into her car and backs out of her parking spot, zooming off onto the main road.

I inspect the paint on my metallic silver Acura Integra before I get inside. After I get comfortable in the driver’s seat, I stare out my windshield for a minute.

I’m on my way to my ex-boyfriend’s homecoming game because he asked me to be there.

Life has its way of throwing the biggest curveballs at us, specifically ones we’re not ready for. I can say I never predicted that Grayson and I would reunite, but that would be a lie. Somehow I knew at some point in our lives that we’d reunite. The thing is, I didn’t know I’d be the one to reignite the flames.

It’s going to be okay. All you have to do is breathe. You got this.

Pulling into a parking spot into Tidal Wave Arena, I turn the engine off. I spent a good ten to fifteen minutes driving around to find a space. When I finally found one, I had to mark my territory by waiting for it. The spot is located further back, which isn’t great since the game starts in fifteen minutes.

It’s 6:45 p.m.

Whipping out my phone, I text Willow to find out if she’s here.

Me

Hey, are you here?

Willow

Yeah, I’m by the front entrance

Me

I’ll be there in five, and I’ll see where Noah’s girlfriend and her friend are. We could sit with them if they let us

Willow

Okay, cool

Before I start walking towards the arena, I switch to my text conversation with Dani.

Me

Hey, I just got to the arena. Are you guys inside?

Dani

yeah, we’re sitting down in the second row from the top of the bleachers. it’s the section closest to the entrance into the arena

Me

Okay, I’m going to have a friend with me. Hope that’s okay

Dani

are you kidding? the more the merrier