Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
“Doesn’t seem like this would be his thing.”
He crosses his arms. “I don’t think anything is that kid’s thing. What’s his name again? I always forget.”
I shrug. “Dunno. Peggy just calls him Tally’s boyfriend.”
“Well, I’m glad he’s not here. He’s a wet blanket, and Tally can do better.”
“I think the girls would agree.”
“Why don’t they say anything?” he asks.
“Because it’s Tally’s decision who she dates, and they want her to feel supported and not judged. Or at least that’s what Peggy told me when I asked.”
“Makes sense, I guess.” He rubs his bottom lip.
“You and Grace seem to be getting along better these days.”
Flip makes an irritated sound. “I’m going to go help Rix in the kitchen. See you later.”
He hustles off.
My phone pings.
Lexi
In the parking lot.
I whistle shrilly to get everyone’s attention. “They’re coming in! Take your places!” We cut the lights when everyone is in position and wait for the doors to open.
“Why’s it so dark?” Callie asks.
Dred flicks on the light, and we yell a collective, “Surprise!”
Hemi is ready with her camera, snapping photos as Callie’s friends converge on her. The way her face brightens makes my heart swell. Fee’s smile is wide, and Lexi looks like she’s on the verge of tears. I want nothing more than to be able to go to her, to wrap her in my arms and tell her I’ve got her. But I can’t. Not yet.
Dred is the one who steps in and hugs the three of them. It’s a flurry of excitement as Callie and her friends suit up to take the ice. Connor, Tristan, Hollis, Dallas, Ash, Flip, and I all suit up as well, and we spend an hour on the ice, shooting the puck around with Callie and her teammates. Even Fee, who doesn’t normally get excited about being on the ice, comes out and plays with Tristan’s encouragement.
After hockey and games, we feed the kids. Tristan sits beside Fee, and Connor takes the seat beside Callie, who keeps looking up at him with moon eyes.
“She’s so happy,” Lexi says softly.
“She is. How was the morning?” I ask.
“It was hard. There were some tears, and for a while I was worried she wouldn’t come around, but Fee made her chocolate chip pancakes and told her we had big plans and that Mom and Dad would want her to have a fun birthday and not be sad.” She pinches the bridge of her nose.
I covertly skim the back of her hand. “I wish I could hug you.”
“I wish you could, too,” she whispers.
“Next year it’ll look a lot different, and I’ll be able to,” I murmur.
She smiles up at me. “I’m really looking forward to that.”
“Me, too.”
Dred approaches with a smile plastered on her face. “Lexi, they’re almost ready for cake. Do you want to come to the kitchen with me?”
“I can help,” I offer.
“It’s less conspicuous if it’s me who goes.” She threads her arm through Lexi’s and guides her away.
Hollis sidles up next to me. “Dred stepped in to make sure you two didn’t look too cozy.”
“Mmm...” Two of our people have noticed now. I glance around, stomach rioting.
“Getting harder to stay away?”
“Yup.” Harder than I realized, maybe.
He claps me on the shoulder, his expression pained but also empathetic. “I’m sorry. Especially because I know exactly where you are right now.”
I tuck a hand into my pocket, the guilt heavy on my shoulders. “I wish it was me who stood to lose, instead of the other way around.”
“It’s a tough place.” He sighs.
I watch Callie and her friends laughing and smiling. “I don’t want to make Lexi’s life harder, but I don’t want to be without her.”
Understanding crosses his features. “That’s good, man. You both deserve to have someone to share this life with. You have a huge heart. More people should get to fit inside it.”
Dred and Lexi return with the cake, a number 9 candle burning brightly. Essie, Peggy, and Rix follow with ice cream, plates, and silverware. Tristan hops up and starts belting out “Happy Birthday.” He’s completely out of tune. Rix jumps in, her voice a melodic counterpart to Tristan’s pitchiness, and we all join her.
“Did you know Rix could sing?” Hollis asks.
“I did not,” I reply.
Callie’s smile is so wide and beautiful, her joy and excitement infectious. She bounces in her seat and screws her eyes shut tight before she blows out the candle.
Dred and Lexi cut the cake and pass it out to the kids and then the adults.
After cake, Callie digs into her mountain of presents.
She tears through the paper of Connor’s gift, bottom lip pushed out as she tries to figure out what it is. Connor steps in to help her set it up.
“Oh wow! Can I keep this in my room, Lexi?” Callie bounces up and down and wraps her arms around Connor’s waist. “This is the best!”