Sea Breeze 03 - While It Lasts

you and stand by you through all life’s twist s and turns.” Her cold hand reached out and took mine in hers with a gentle squeeze. “You deserve much better than being some little fling for a guy like that one . Don’t let your sorrow and pain send you off on a road that you can’t get back from.”
    My chest felt so heavy. Guilt. Pain. Sorrow. Loss. It all swirled together making it hard for me to take deep breaths. Was she right? Was I throwing Josh’s memory away because Cage York had an amazing body and a sexy smile? Had I become that shallow? Oh , God. Tears stung my eyes and Elaine pulled me back into a hug. “I didn’t mean to upset you , sweetie . Sometimes a momma needs to help us find the right path when we veer off. That’s all.” She smoothed down my hair as she reassured me.
    “Now, let’s talk about other things. More positive things. Like what your plans are now that you’ve decided to drive that nice little Jeep again and start living your life. I want to hear all about it. You are going back to college , aren’t you? I mean you can’t stay here and keep going to the community college. You’re too smart for this place Eva. Oh , and the guitar. Your daddy told me he came home to you playing the other day. I’m so proud of you.” I followed Elaine into the house but I didn’t fee l like talking about any of thos e things. I wanted to go hide in my room and cry. If wanting to be with Cage was so bad , why did it hurt to be told it was wrong? He was the reason I was moving on. Didn’t that count for something?

Chapter Nineteen

    Cage
    I’d sent Eva two text s and called her once. She still hadn’t responded . The invisible fairy was back but she wasn’t bringing the extra treats like the chocolate cake or strawberry pie. All I got was a thermos of water and an ice towel. Something was fucked up.
    I couldn’t go looking for her and demand she talk to me. Her dad would have my ass thrown off the property. I’d lose my scholarship and I wouldn’t have Eva. W hat the hell could I do? She wouldn’t talk to me. Our last conversation had been when she’d brought me the chocolate cake. The only thing that I could come up with was something had come up with the lady that came by and she was busy with that. Even still why the fuck wouldn’t she answer my text s ?
    I needed to go talk to Wilson anyway. Low could come get me tonight as ea sily as tomorrow for my day off . I didn’t do anything between now and tomorrow morning. As much as I didn’t want to leave with Eva giving me the silent treatment , staying here would just drive me crazy. I pulled a clean shirt on then picked up my bag and threw a few things in it.
    W ilson should be inside by this time. Maybe Eva would answer the door. I’d be able to see her face even if we couldn’t talk.
    I headed up to the house.
    The lights were all on which was odd. Even the outside floodlights were illuminating the yard. The driveway was also full. Were they having a party?
    I paused at the door as laughter and several voices drifted outside.
    The door swung open and Jeremy stood smiling at me. “Hey, man. What’s up?”
    “I need to talk to W ilson ,” I explained , looking past Jeremy for any sign of Eva.
    “Come on in. He’s at the table with the family.”
    T he family? Whose family?
    Jeremy led me inside and down a small foyer. I couldn’t help but pause several time s to study picture s on the wall of Eva when she was younger. She’d been beautiful her entire life. Pigtails had also been her favorite hairstyle for a really long time .
    “She was ten in that one. Just gotten braces and was really upset about it. Her dad couldn’t get her to smile so he called over to the house and got me and Josh to come over . When we got there Eva was perched up on top of that swing with unshed tears in her eyes and an angry scowl on her face. Josh stood behind the photographe r and started telling her knock- knock jokes and making funny faces.”
    Her head was tilted to the side and she looked like she’d just finished giggling in the image. My heart tugged thinking about all the memories she had like this one reminding her daily of what she’d lost.
    Jeremy started walking again and I followed him toward the large arched entryway where the sounds of voices and laughter were pouring out. Whoever was in there, they were having a really good time.
    Jeremy stepped in in front of me, “Mom, Dad, Chad , this is Cage Y ork. He’ s working