Ollie’s POV
In the driveway, I hug Ella tightly. Behind her, her parents’ car is packed, with suitcases in the trunk and the backseat. Her mom watches us where she stands beside the driver’s side door.
In just a few minutes, they’ll be on their way, and I’ll be without my dearest friend for the summer. I already feel somewhat lost. My time with Hugh, though immensely pleasurable, was only a temporary distraction. I’ll miss having someone to actually talk with.
“I’ll be back before you know it,” Ella says and squeezes me. Then, we separate. “You won’t even notice I’m gone.”
That’s a damn lie and we both know it, but I don’t want her to leave thinking I’ll be miserable. She should have fun on her vacation, bonding with her mom like her mom wants.
Jealousy sinks down to my bones, but ov
