If Only You Had Stayed by C. P. Ashton

Sarcastic. Scarred. Stuck. Charlie Foster is a disaster. Just ask her therapist. After high school, Charlie loaded what little she owned into her car, ripped off the proverbial rear view mirror, and drove out west with her angsty punk music blaring as loud as the speakers could handle. The falling out with her best friend, Skylar, right before graduation still haunts her ten years later. Now Charlie’s back in town for their high school reunion searching for answers, closure, and one last shot at Skylar’s heart. But Skylar may have moved on long ago—for better or worse. If Only You Had Stayed explores shattered first loves, fumbled second chances, and the inescapable external forces that shape a life.

Adult • Diversity Representation/LGBTQ+/Own Voices • Women's Fiction/Contemporary • Short Stories • Diversity Representation/LGBTQ+ • Women's Fiction/Friendship

Content Warning: mention of physical and emotional abuse against a teen (not sexual) homophobia/intolerance obsessive tendencies minor car accident mention of homelessness mention of excessive alcohol consumption mention of pregnancy