The next week flew by, and by the end of it, Justin felt like he’d been swept up in a tornado and carried around by his arms, all the while spinning in different directions. He and Ella had found a house; Ella fell in love with it the moment they walked through the door, and Justin signed the papers right then and there. He bought a car—a bright red (Ella’s choice) Jeep Grand Cherokee. He felt like he was born to drive it, his heart singing every time he looked over his shoulder and saw Ella fastened in the back seat, grinning at him. Lynn took Ella shopping for a brand new wardrobe, and she modeled each and every piece of clothing for Justin, beaming at him when he told her how beautiful she looked. And now, seven days since the last time he’d seen Josh, he sat on the kitchen floor of his apartment, packing glasses into boxes marked fragile and thinking of the man that had walked away with his heart. He remembered how perfectly Josh’s mouth had melted against his own that night at the club, how his own heart had raced and his blood had pumped. He closed his eyes, forcing the memory from his head. No, he couldn’t let himself remember the way it had felt. Because it felt more right than anything he’d ever felt in his life. He was in love. He’d known it since the moment he saw Josh singing at the club. He hung his head, shoving another glass into the box. Too little, too late. “Where are you gonna go?” Joey asked sadly. “Man, JC, we’re gonna miss you like crazy down here." Josh smiled, albeit unhappily, and clapped Joey on the back. “I’ll miss you too, man. But it’s for the best. I’ve been in this town too long; it’s time I go back to where I came from.” “C, you know you don’t belong there,” Joey said, frowning. Josh nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, I know. But it’s who I am, Joe. Can’t change that. I mean, what am I gonna do, huh?” he laughed. “Give all my money away?” Joey’s eyes lit up, and Josh backed away, putting his hands up. “OH no,” he said. “You’ve got that ‘I’ve got a great idea’ look in your eye again.” Joey grinned, chuckling. “You wanna be with him?” Josh nodded sadly, whispering “More than anything.” “Then be with him,” Joey urged. Josh’s eyes turned stormy, and he crossed his arms, jaw set as he glared into Joey’s eyes. “Oh, and it’s that simple, huh? Just shower him with gifts and throw my money at him, is that it? I’m sure it’ll work out just great, Joe. Just like it did with Nick, and John, and Alex…should I continue?” “JC,” Joey started. “I didn’t mean—“ Josh put a hand up, shaking his head. “Forget it, Joe. I’m outta here.” “C, wait!” Joey called, but Josh was already out the door, the loud slam signaling his departure. “You ready, pumpkin?” Justin asked, ruffling Ella’s hair. Ella nodded, scooping Bella into her arms. “Bye bye apartment,” she said, and Justin noticed the hint of sadness in her voice. “You ok, babygirl?” he asked. She looked up at him with wide blue eyes and nodded. “I love you, Ella,” Justin whispered, kissing the top of her head. “Love you too, Daddy.” With a sigh, Justin took his daughter’s hand and led her out of their dingy apartment and into a better life. “Daddy, you have that sad look again,” Ella said, hands on her hips. Justin tried to smile, but it came out forced and didn’t get past her. “I want you to be happy, Daddy. If you’re not happy, then I’ll shrivel away and Bella won’t have a mommy and then what will we do?” At that, Justin laughed, shaking his head at the wise words of his daughter. “I’ll try, honey,” he said. “I’ll try very, very hard.” “Daddy, why are you sad? You’re always sad now. Do you miss our old house?” Justin shook his head, resting his chin in his palm. “I love our new house, babygirl. Don’t you?” She grinned, nodding energetically. “But Daddy, we’ve been her for a long time and you’re still sad.” “Two weeks isn’t a long time, sweetheart.” “Yes it is!” Ella insisted. “It’s a very long time. And you’re still sad.” “I’m trying, sweetheart.” “Did Lance make you sad?” “No, honey, Lance didn’t make me sad.” “Did Gramma make you sad?” “No.” “Did Josh make you sad?” Justin’s eyes snapped up, meeting the blue of his daughter’s. How did she remember him? “What did you say?” “Did Josh make you sad?” she repeated, tiny hands on his knees. “Honey…” Justin sighed, leaning back into the plush cushions of the couch. “It’s not that easy, ok? It’s not…” “Josh IS making you sad,” she pointed out. Justin looked at her, nodding in agreement. No use in lying to her; the girl was pretty perceptive. “Why?” “Because, sweetheart. I can’t explain why, because you wouldn’t understand. But it hurts.” “Where does it hurt?” “Right here,” he said quietly, tears brimming in his eyes as he pointed to his heart. “Daddy,” Ella said softly. “Don’t cry.” She threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. Justin sobbed, ashamed to be crying on his little girl’s shoulder but unable to hold it back any longer. His heart ached with loneliness, and he knew there was only one remedy. He just didn’t know if he could handle the cure.