Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 86422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
I stab a slice of tomato that fell out of my BLT with my fork. “I don’t know. It’s pretty competitive.”
“But you’re super talented. What would it hurt to at least submit an application? How cool would it be if your piece was chosen to be part of a campus installation?”
“Art is really subjective. It’s like…personal? I guess. I just think about all the flack Cammie got when Annabelle and Barbie outed her fic name.”
“Sure, but look at all the new followers she has. She’s low-key famous in that sphere. Seriously, Fee, you should consider submitting a piece. The worst they can say is that you should try again next year.”
It’s easy to put things out there when I’m anonymous, but it’s more than that. “I haven’t submitted anything for an art show since my parents passed.”
“Oh.” Understanding causes sadness to settle behind his eyes and he takes my hand. “Does it bring up a lot of memories?”
I nod and swallow past the lump in my throat. “My mom used to be the one who helped me get ready for them. I did them every year with my school and then with my art classes. It was this special thing we did together, and I know I should get back into it, but it just...hits a really raw place in my heart?”
“That makes sense.” He kisses the back of my hand. “But I’ll be there to support you, and so will Lexi and all our friends, however you need us. We don’t have to replace the memories, we but we can make some new ones to help it hurt a little less?”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Okay.” He leans across the table and kisses me softly.
Yeah, I’m definitely falling for him.
We finish our meals and talk about the upcoming game against U of T. Tilton beat them the last time they played, so they’re hoping for another win.
After lunch, Mac walks me back to my apartment and I stop at my mailbox. “Oooh! I have a package. I wonder who it’s from!”
“Hopefully not a secret admirer.” I can’t tell if Mac is joking.
We stop at the mail desk and wait in line.
Mac scans the bulletin board while we wait. “Oh shit!” He rushes over and pushes a few tacked up papers boasting upcoming events aside to reveal one of my secret posters. I put it up late last night. He carefully frees it from the board and brings it over. “This one is brand-new.” His eyes move over the poster. “I’m going to add it to my wall when I get home. You should do something like this. People would love it. I’d love it.”
I laugh, but it’s a little high and reedy. “In all my spare time?”
Thankfully it’s my turn and I pass over my mail slip in exchange for a small box. Mac tucks the poster into his binder. A thrill of excitement rushes through me when I notice a few of my stickers on the inside cover.
“Who’s the package from?” he asks after he tucks his binder back in his bag.
I scan the address label. “It’s from Kristoff.” At Mac’s deepening frown, I explain further, “Lexi’s dad.”
“Oh, cool.” His brow smooths out and his shoulder relax. “Are you close?”
“Not really? He’s nice, and Callie likes him, but he’s…not super present? He’s a big lawyer in New York. He and my mom divorced when Lexi was young. He remarried a woman named Jacqueline who’s also a lawyer and they’re basically workaholics. He’s come to a couple of Terror games every season, but he usually ends up working through them. Occasionally he sends gifts.” I shake the box, then pick at the tape until the end comes free. “It’s how he shows he cares. I used to get frustrated with him, mostly because I felt bad for Lexi. She had to do everything on her own. She wasn’t close with our mom the way Callie and I were, and Kristoff is always busy with work. But she has Roman now, and we’re part of the Terror family, so that feels good, you know?”
“It really hasn’t been easy for any of you, has it?” he asks.
“Every family challenges.” I shrug. “I have great sisters and awesome friends, and this big extended found-family, and a super cool, very sweet boyfriend, so I think I’m doing okay.” I open the box and pull out the gift bag. Inside are the paint markers I’ve been drooling over for the past few months. “Holy crap. These have been sold out everywhere.” I hug them to my chest. “They’ll be a game changer when I render your portrait.”
“How did Kristoff know you wanted them?”
“Maybe Lexi or Callie said something?” I take a photo and shoot him a quick text to thank him and follow it with an excessive number of excited emojis.