Page 66 of The Truths We Find

“Yeah, about that. We broke up.”

Alexa’s mouth drops open. “When?”

“Last night during our phone call. I ended it. I couldn’t do it anymore. He wasn’t supporting me like I always supported him.” I sit up straighter for this next part. “I put myself first for once.”

“I’m really proud of you. You know I’ve never been Sam’s biggest fan. But this was the right move. You needed to do this. Even if there was no Gavin, Sam wasn’t for you.”

“I think you’re right.”

“So where did you and Gavin leave things this morning?”

I hesitate for half a second, choosing my words carefully. “We’re going to talk about it when we get back home. Not let the… freshness of last night cloud our judgment about anything.”

“Ah. Orgasm fog. Got it.”

“Alexa!” I groan, burying my face in my hands, equal parts mortified and amused.

She just laughs. “What? I’m not wrong.” Then her voice softens, turning sincere. “And if he makes you this happy”—she gestures at my still-too-obvious smile—“he has my full support.”

Hearing Alexa say that makes me feel all warm inside. She never said stuff like this before about Sam, so she must be serious about it.

Alexa heads back to her room, leaving me alone to get ready for the airport. I manage a shower and fresh clothes, but somewhere between drying my hair and zipping my suitcase, the adrenaline from last night finally wears off. What replaces it is a hangover to rival all hangovers.

I barely make it to the bathroom before I’m kneeling on the tile, clinging to the toilet like my life depends on it. I fumble for my phone and text Alexa, asking if she can bring me some apple juice. If I’m going to survive this flight, I’m going to need it.

Ten minutes later, she appears in the doorway holding a small bottle of juice and a pack of saltine crackers. Just the sight of them sends me diving back toward the toilet.

Alexa kneels beside me, pulling my hair back without a word. Have I mentioned she’s my best friend? And possibly my hero?

Eventually, after what feels like an eternity but is probably only twenty minutes, my body decides it’s done punishing me. I sit back against the tub, exhausted but grateful to be upright again. I sip the apple juice, nibble the crackers, and slowly start to feel human. Or at least human-adjacent.

Once we’re packed and checked out, we wheel our suitcases down to the lobby. As we cut through the casino toward the limo pickup area, something makes me glance to my right.

Gavin is sitting on one of the couches, hunched slightly over his phone, completely absorbed in whatever’s on the screen. For a moment, I just watch him. The way his brows furrow when he’s focused. The tiny crinkle of his nose I somehow never noticed before.

Then, it hits me—even now, even after everything—I’m still discovering new things about him.

“Yo, Baker!” Alexa yells as we get closer.

Gavin looks up and our eyes meet. A smile forms so hard across his face, it might crack.

“And how are you feeling this fine morning?” Alexa giggles, doing a terrible job of pretending she doesn’t know exactly what she’s implying.

“Totally fine,” Gavin says easily, lifting his water bottle in a mock toast. “What about you ladies?”

“I’m great,” Alexa replies, gesturing in my direction. “But Dani… not so much. She might need a little extra help today.” She shoots Gavin a very deliberate wink.

Heat creeps up my neck as Alexa breezes past us toward the limo, leaving me standing there with him, and the weight of her words hanging in the air.

Subtle, Alexa. Really subtle.

“You okay?” Concern drips from Gavin’s words.

“Just hungover. I’ll be fine. Let’s get going. Don’t want to be late.”

Gavin reaches for my suitcase handle, and his hand settles over mine like it belongs there. I look up at him, and for a brief, quiet moment, the ache in my body fades into the background. The hangover, the noise, the chaos of the casino, all of it disappears.

“Limo’s here! Let’s go!” Alexa calls, shattering the bubble.