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)
“They never missed a hockey game, or practice or art show. It was very different for Lexi, though. Our mom and Kristoff weren’t right for each other. He could give her things, but he wasn’t really present. He’s the same with Lexi.”
“That really bothers you.” She’s fiercely protective of Lexi, which is understandable, given her role in Fee’s life.
“It hurts her that he’s not emotionally available, and that makes me hurt too. He just doesn't have the capacity to be what she needs. Roman shows up for her in all the ways that count, though. Sometimes I wish Lexi and I were closer in age, and then maybe it would have been different for her, but I don’t know…no parent is perfect.” We walk through a winter garden, each flower defined by the most amazing lights; pink petals, green, leafy stems, yellow centers, and the occasional bumblebee hiding in the pollen, the promise of spring that still feels far away.
“I miss my parents every day, and I really wish they were still here.” She turns to me, expression soft. Her trauma has forced her to grow up in ways I can appreciate, but not fully understand. “But maybe Lexi and I wouldn’t be this close now if they were. I lost so much, we all did, but I’m lucky to have a sister who loves Callie and I enough to become our legal guardian. And even though he seems scary at first, Roman is just the biggest, softest teddy bear. He has the dad thing on lock and he’s exactly what Callie needs. I see the way he and Lexi are together, and I know it’s a special kind of love. Lexi deserves that.”
“So do you.”
“I have it and I appreciate it,” she says softly. “But I’m always scared that it could just all disappear on me, because it has before. But we only live once,” she adds. “And hiding from experiences and people and emotions, even when they make us hurt, isn’t how I want to go through life.” She sighs. “Ugh. Too much introspection.”
I want to broach what will happen if I get called up after graduation, but we reach the final piece in the installation, and I lose the opportunity.
“Oh, Mac.” Fee takes my hand and leads me up the steps. “This is otherworldly.”
We’re standing inside a snow globe. Fake flakes sway lightly above us, suspended from the ceiling by fishing wire. Other flakes line the walls, lighting up and fading out to give the illusion of a snowfall. I can’t imagine the science and physics that went into making this possible. It’s a romantic scene with a bench and a tree all strung with pink lights. I put my phone in the holder and we take a seat on the bench. A heart-shaped pattern appears on the walls and Fee’s smile widens.
She takes my face in her hands and kisses me softly. “Best date ever.”
“It’s not even over yet.”
When our noses and fingers are numb with cold, we walk back to the car and drive to my place.
“Are Gage and Brody home?” Fee asks as I grab her overnight bag from the trunk.
“Gage took his sister to the aquarium tonight.”
“Seriously, when did he become so sweet?”
“His hormones were overriding his nice-guy buttons for a while, but now that his sister is on campus, he’s like…settling down a bit, I guess? Her boyfriend broke up with her two days ago and she’s pretty heartbroken, so he canceled his plans and took her out instead.”
“One day, some girl will see the truth behind the I’m-going-to-bone-my-way-through-university façade and recognize him for what he really is.”
“He’s a stand-up guy,” I agree. “He really wanted to tune the guy up, but his sister was adamant that he not potentially ruin his future career with an assault charge.”
“That’s legit, and honestly in this case, it’s the thought that counts.”
“True, plus taking her to the aquarium is a lot more rewarding with far fewer consequences.”
I open the door and usher Fee inside. Brody left a note on the message board. He’s spending the night at his brother’s.
Fee grabs my hand and pulls me up the stairs. “Come on, I have a surprise for you.”
I quirk a brow. “In my bedroom?”
“Yup.”
“Is it sexy lingerie?”
“It’s better.” Fee throws open the door and leaps across to where an art-canvas-shaped gift is propped against the side of my bed, wrapped in gold paper and tied with a maroon bow.
“How did you get this here?”
“Brody helped. He picked it up from the studio and brought it here after you came to pick me up.” She does an excited knee bend. “You should open it.”
I cross the room and peel off the bow, sticking it on top of my head.
Fee snaps a pic and does a hip shimmy. “Unwrap it!”