This Isn't Goodbye

by K. R. Reese

  This Isn’t Goodbye

  Copyright © 2021 K.R. Reese

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction.

  Any names, characters, places, or incidents are products of the author’s imagination and used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events is purely coincidental or fictionalized.

  Cover Design by Just write. Creations and Services

  Editing by Kitka Buchanan

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Epilogue

  Author’s Note

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Books by K.R. Reese

  I loved you before the uniform & I’ll love you after.

  Before the dog tags and combat boots.

  Before the sleepless nights and unwanted tears.

  We’ve been through it all.

  To be where we are today are worth those homecoming kisses.

  Because true love conquers all.

  Author Unknown

  When the giant truck pulled up an hour ago, I told my Mom I was going to sit outside and see what they were doing. For the past several months, there had been a ‘For Sale’ sign planted in the front yard of the house. Then, a week ago, the realtor came by and placed big block letters over it that read ‘Sold’. I’ve watched and waited after that for any type of change; any sign that someone was really moving into the house. There had been none. Someone had bought the house and we would have new neighbors. I could only hope they weren’t like grumpy Mr. Seeward who lived two houses down, or like our overly excited neighbor, Ms. Tison, who lived in the other direction. I wanted them to be like our next-door neighbors, and maybe have someone like Cole, if there was a teenager in the house.

  Cole has lived next door to us for as long as I can remember. Our parents are best friends, which has led to us becoming best friends. There are pictures of us in diapers together, potty training, learning to ride our bikes and even swim. If it’s a milestone, you can be sure that we learned and did it together. There isn’t any time in my mind that I don’t remember Cole being a part of.

  But as I watch people come in and out of the house across the street, I can’t help but hope for another girl to hang out with. While Cole is my best friend, there are just some things I can’t talk to him about; he would think they were gross, or he would get angry. Lately, all he’s been is angry, and while I’m told it’s because he’s a teenager, I don’t know if that’s the real reason. I think there’s something wrong, but I haven’t been able to ask him.

  I sit there a while longer after the truck pulls away when I hear leaves crunching in the grass behind me. I turn and see Cole striding toward me, his head down and his hands in his pockets.

  “What are you doing out here in the grass, Chey?” Cole sits down beside me and nudges my shoulder.

  “Someone’s moving in across the street. There’s been a moving truck out here all day. It just left.” I peek a glance at him. “Where have you been all day?”

  He shrugs and looks at the house in question. “I went for ice cream with Kenzie. I just got back a little while ago.”

  A slice of jealousy shoots through me. Kenzie has been Cole’s girlfriend since the end of the school year. I know I shouldn’t have these feelings toward her because there’s nothing but friendship between Cole and I, but I am jealous of her. In a way, she’s taking my best friend away from me. I can’t think like that, though; Cole doesn’t deserve it and I won’t step in the way of his happiness.

  Once upon a time, like a year ago, I thought that maybe Cole and I could be something more than friends. But I never brought it up for discussion because I was afraid. What if he didn’t feel the same way? It would’ve ruined our friendship. So, instead of voicing my opinion of the girl I loathed, I said something else entirely. “You know, the pool sounds fun. I haven’t been there this summer, and there’s only a few weeks left before school.”

  “We should go. Just you, me, and Mason. Because you know that little shit won’t let us leave him behind.”

  We chuckle together for a second before it all goes silent. My head is screaming that something’s wrong again, but I know Cole will tell me when he’s ready. He always does. The perk of being best friends for as long as we have, we tell each other almost everything.

  “Hey, look, there’s a car pulling in.” I snap my head up to look at who I assume are the new occupants of the house and wait. First, an older couple step out of the front before the back door swings open. My jaw drops at the guy that steps out.

  Cole’s fingers tap my chin and my gaze goes to him. “What?”

  “You might want to wipe the drool off your face because he’s coming this way. I wouldn’t want you to be embarrassed.” A smirk is firmly on his face, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Another indication that something’s not right. I smack him on the chest as we stand.

  “You’re such an asshole,” I mumble under my breath, low enough only he can hear. Cole chuckles.

  The new guy is standing in front of us, eyeing each of us separately. I notice the gray hues that outline the blue of his eyes first. His dark hair is in disarray on top of his head like he’s been sleeping. Cole speaks first, giving me the time he knows I need.

  “Hey, you must be our new neighbors. I’m Cole, this,” he gestures toward me, “is Cheyenne.”

  He kicks the rocks near his feet, sending dust flying around us. “I’m Dylan. We just moved here.” His voice is quiet. He glances at me, then looks away quickly. “My parents said I should introduce myself since we’ll probably go to school together. Guess that’s starting soon.”

  “In a few weeks. What grade will you be in this year?” I ask curiously. His eyes still have me intrigued so I don’t look directly at him.

  “I’ll be a senior this year. Thought maybe I’d try out for the football team or something. What ‘bout you guys?”

  Cole jumps into the conversation. “We’re seniors, too. Did you play football before you moved here?” He’s staring at me out of the corner of his eye, but I ignore him. Cole knows me better than anyone, and if he thin
ks there’s something I like about Dylan, he’ll torment me forever. Then he’ll run Dylan off anyway.

  “I played freshmen and sophomore year. My grades weren’t the best this past year, so I was benched. But I thought I could work for it now that I’ll be done with high school.”

  I let them talk without interruption, their easy chatter something that doesn’t happen often with Cole. He has a hard time trusting anyone, which makes for less conversation with those who are new.

  “Do you plan on going pro after college or something?”

  “Nah, nothing like that. I plan on going to the military – the Navy – much to the dislike of my parents.”

  That catches my attention. Cole has been thinking about going to the military since junior high. We had watched a documentary on the special forces. He hasn’t mentioned which branch he was interested in, though, and he hasn’t told either of our parents. I figure he isn’t going to mention it to a stranger either, but I have no qualms over it, and maybe it’ll give them something in common aside from football.

  “Cole’s been talking about joining, too, but he hasn’t decided yet. He’s also varsity captain on the football team.”

  My best friend gives me the side-eye again and I know I’ll hear all about my word vomit later tonight. Right now, though, I don’t care.

  “That’s awesome. Maybe we can pass the ball around some time.”

  “How about now?” I cut in.

  Dylan stares at me quizzically now, like a girl would really want to pass around a football with two guys. I roll my eyes and head toward the porch.

  “Come on, Mr. Varsity. Show us what you got. Two against one.”

  “That’s not fair, Chey! You cheat!”

  I giggle uncontrollably as I walk back to them, football in hand. “It’s only cheating if you get caught, Cole.”

  “Or I let you get away with it,” he mumbles under his breath as he jogs to the opposite side of the yard.

  Dylan laughs at our bickering and we play around for hours. Mason joins us, evening the teams, but in the end, Cole still loses like I knew he would. He tackles me to the ground, tickling me until I scream.

  “I won! It was a fair game! You weren’t even outnumbered anymore. Mason joined you not long after we started playing.”

  I was still pinned to the ground by his overly large body, his brown gaze locked on mine. “You know you cheated, Chey, don’t deny it.” I stick my tongue out at him and shove at his chest. He moves and helps me off the grass. “You’re lucky I love you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t let you win.” Cole pulls me in for a hug and kisses my forehead. It’s intimate, sweet. It’s just us.

  “Yeah, yeah, we know how this works.” I sigh and lean into his hug. “Let’s do something fun tomorrow. Summer is almost over and I feel like I haven’t seen you,” I mumble into his shirt.

  Dylan and Mason are standing off to the side, talking about something animatedly. Right now, we’re in our own little bubble. I hear Cole’s sigh and release him from the hug. He rubs his hand over his jaw and won’t meet my eyes.

  “I’m going with Kenzie tomorrow to her family’s lake house. We probably won’t be back until late. Take a raincheck?”

  Cole pouts his lip out at me. I bite my tongue and nod. I don’t let the hurt and disappointment show on my face. “Sure, I’ll figure something else out for tomorrow.” I glance toward Dylan. “It seems we’ve found a new friend anyway. Maybe I’ll ask him if he wants to hang out. I can show him around town.”

  Cole’s jaw clenches, but he nods and heads toward his yard.

  “See you later,” I holler, and he waves over his shoulder before he disappears inside.

  I don’t hear from him that night like I usually do. Our late-night phone calls or text messages that we rarely miss just don’t happen. The longer we’re apart this summer, the more it feels like I’m losing my best friend.

  I fall asleep with thoughts of Cole and Dylan warring in my head.

  I wake up early to head to the lake house with Kenzie and her friends. We’ve been dating for a few months now, since the end of the school year, but it seems she only has one thing on her mind. Lately, she’s been pushy about physical advances. She’ll brush past me or rub against me, and then looks over her shoulder innocently. I know what she’s doing, but it isn’t going to work.

  It’s not like I’m innocent. I’ve had my fair share of girls since we started high school. But I was always careful, and it wasn’t some drunken mistake. I’ve heard all about Kenzie’s freshmen year of high school. Small town talk and all, I know she’s slept with half my teammates on the football team. While she’s a nice girl, nice to hang out with, nice to talk with, I’m not looking to find myself with a disease or for her to try and trap me. We’ve made out, of course, but I have plans. And those plans don’t involve being tied to this town.

  I’m sitting on the dock, with Kenzie and her friends in the lake, and my mind wanders to yesterday. Cheyenne has never hidden her disdain toward my girlfriend; I know she doesn’t like her, but she tolerates the relationship because she doesn’t want to lose me. I thought she knew by now that I wouldn’t let anyone come between us, but I guess I was wrong. She also didn’t hide the hurt look on her face when she asked to hang out today, and I had to turn her down because I had plans to come out here. Cheyenne’s right, though, we haven’t spent much time together this summer. And after our new friendly neighbor, I need to make more time for her.

  A few years ago, I thought maybe she would have been open to trying a relationship. We’ve been best friends forever, and when we started high school, it seemed we were headed in a different direction. But it never went anywhere. I wouldn’t make the first move, and Cheyenne never did. Maybe she didn’t feel the same about me as I did her. Either way, we’re still best friends and I didn’t want anything to change that. Now that Dylan has moved in across the street, she seems interested in hanging out with someone who isn’t me or Mason. Her statement yesterday keeps running through my mind.

  Maybe I’ll ask him to hang out. I can show him around town.

  I trust Cheyenne to make good decisions, the right decisions. I know she won’t let anyone take advantage of her, and I had gone to the self-defense classes with her that she wanted to take. But we know nothing about this new guy, and it irritates me to think that she might go around town with him by herself today, while I’m miles away and can’t help her if she needs it. I pull my phone from my pocket and shoot off a text.

  Cole: Missing you today. Sorry I had to raincheck. We’ll do something tomorrow, promise.

  I was annoyed yesterday after her comment about Dylan that I didn’t talk to her last night. Not even a message. Then again, she hadn’t tried to contact me either, so the feelings were obviously mutual. My phone vibrates against my hand and her name scrolls across the screen.

  Chey: Made plans with Dylan tomorrow. We’re going to the track. But you can come, too.

  I clutch my phone so tight; I think it may snap. I lie it on the deck beside me with my jeans and stare out over the water. I’m focused on my thoughts when hands run up my thighs.

  “Earth to Cole? Come in the lake. You haven’t touched the water all day.” Kenzie’s nasally voice assaults my ears and I glance down. She’s batting her eyelashes and it annoys me further. I’m not sure if my irritation is with Kenzie or Cheyenne, though.

  “Actually, I’m not feeling too good. I think I’m going to head home. Call me later, okay?”

  I lean down to give her a kiss, but she pulls away and frowns at me.

  “You’re leaving already? I saw you on your phone. What happened? Did Cheyenne ask you to come hang out with her because she has no other friends and she’s jealous of me?” Kenzie laughs obnoxiously, and her friends join in.

  I lean in closer and snarl at her. “Cheyenne has other plans today. And even if she didn’t, there’s no reason for her to be jealous of you. There’s no comparison.” I stand on the dock and let the words sink in. I watch
the smile spread across her face full of triumphant because she thinks she’s won. “That wasn’t a compliment for you, either it was definitely a compliment for Cheyenne.” I smirk and turn away from her.

  I stalk toward my car and head home. Maybe I can catch Cheyenne and Dylan before they leave today. It’s unlikely, I know that. I’m more than a half-hour away. But I can try. If my parents ask why I get a speeding ticket, I’ll tell them I’m sick and just wanted to get home.

  When I pull in front of the house, Cheyenne’s car isn’t parked in the driveway. I rush across the yard separating our houses and knock on the door. It swings open to reveal Mason on the other side.

  Damn it.

  “Hey, man, what’s up?” He steps out onto the porch and leans against the railing.

  “I was looking for Cheyenne. She wanted to hang out today and I just got home.”

  He raises a brow and crosses his arms. The kid is only two years younger than us, but he’s as big as I am. Bulky as fuck, too. I’m sure it has a lot to do with going to the gym with me every time and swimming. Football conditioning has a hand in it, too, since he went into his freshmen year on the varsity team.

  “She said you had plans today. She took Dylan to show him around town and then they were going to catch lunch somewhere.”