Free Summer Apart by Amy Sparling Page A

your heart, slipping across the red warning line that means you’re feeling too damn much today. I’ve never reached that point in my life. Not until my drive home.
    The moment my car pulls out of the parking lot and heads toward my house, I burst into tears. Every single second of that date was soured by the bittersweet memories of my days with Park.
    I know Bayleigh had the best intentions for me, but maybe I’m never supposed to find true love. Hell, I’m not even supposed to date around and have fun with it. Maybe my time for love has come and passed because the one person on this earth who is my soul mate is also a player who lives too damn far away.
    I wait until I’m at a red light and then call Bayleigh, putting the phone on speaker so I can keep driving. Last time I called her because I was upset, I ended up driving there and seeing Park. So tonight, for the sake of playing it safe—I’ll just keep my talks with Bayleigh via phone only.
    She doesn’t answer. Great.
    Halfway home, I realize that I’m actually pretty hungry because I didn’t eat much of the popcorn at the movie, due to not wanting to share germs with Mark’s hand. I pull into a McDonald’s and order a cheeseburger and fries. Then, like the loser that I am, I drive through the line and then park in a parking spot. It’s too awkward to eat inside the restaurant by myself, and if I wait until I get home then my fries will be cold.
    I sit here in my car, eating fry after fry and wondering if this is what my life will be like from now on. Me, alone, with food for comfort. Bayleigh texts me back, and I welcome the distraction.
    Bayleigh: Sorry I couldn’t answer. On my anniversary date with Jace so I snuck away to text you so I wouldn’t be rude to him. Love you!
    I look at the date. August 9 th . How could I forget my own best friend’s first anniversary? My head falls back against the headrest, a single fry hanging out of my mouth. I am such a shitty friend. I pull myself together and text back.
    Me: Just calling to say happy first! Love you! Tell Jace hi!
    I figure all the exclamation marks will be enough proof for her to think I’m happy and that I wasn’t lying just now. This is her night and she deserves to feel loved. The last thing she needs is for me to ruin her night by complaining about my stupid love life.
    While I’m staring at my phone, I scroll back through the call log and my heart tightens when I see Park’s name. He called me a little over two hours ago and never left a voicemail or a follow-up text. Maybe it was an accident. He probably meant to call another girl he’s dating.
    Just as I’m staring at the phone screen, it lights up again.
    Park is calling.
    If I think about this too much, I’ll lose my nerve and miss the call. So I swallow my fear, and answer the phone.
    “Hello?”
    “Where are you?”
    The sound of my own heart racing in my chest nearly muffles out his words. “I’m at the McDonald’s by my house.”
    “Are you alone?” he asks quickly, followed by, “Never mind. I don’t care. Stay there, I’ll be there in a minute.”
    “Wha—” I begin, but I’m cut off by the phone call ending. That was weird. And now I am both crazy excited and crazy terrified. Why was he acting like that? Is something wrong? Why is he in Texas?
    I quickly shove the rest of my fries in my mouth and crumple up the food bag, tossing it on the floor in my back seat. Then I pull down the visor mirror and check out my reflection. It’s not as bad as it could be, I guess. At least I’m still wearing makeup from my date and my hair is pretty good.
    Park’s truck pulls into the McDonald’s parking lot. He parks next to me and suddenly I’m so nervous I think I might pass out right here in the front seat of my car. When he walks toward me, I push open my door and beg my shaky legs to cooperate when I try to stand up.
    He’s changed in the weeks since I’ve seen him. His jeans are tighter in the thighs, and he’s