Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
I nod. “It just sucks ’cause she’s my best friend.”
Grace’s lips turn down as she gives me a gloomy look. “Oh, Quinny. I’m sorry.”
“I don’t know. Maybe you’re right. One more time. See what happens, and then try to move on.”
“Yeah, and you never know. Maybe she’s not ready now, but in the future, she might be and y’all can reconnect.”
“Are you saying to wait for her?”
“Absolutely not. I’m saying maybe right now isn’t the time for you. Maybe you two have some growing to do, and then you’ll meet back up.”
Grace’s thought process is terrifying because I want so badly for Emery to be mine. I don’t know if I can move on, or if I even want to. I love how we are together. I love how it feels to be around her, and most of all, I love laughing with her. What if the only reason it’s like that is because I haven’t been with anyone else?
Why is this so hard? Was it hard for everyone else like this?
“Did you and James meet back up?”
She smiles, her cheeks filling with color. “I was burned a lot before meeting him, and I broke up with him when he told me he loved me.”
“Ha, maybe you two are the same. That’s how it went down.”
“But then I found out I was pregnant, and from that moment on, James and I didn’t part. But I don’t suggest that.”
I laugh. “I’m not knocking anyone up, Auntie. I just want her to love me.”
Grace reaches out and cups my face. “Baby, you are worthy of love. And if she doesn’t want to give it to you, then maybe she’s not as smart as she seems. Remember that, though, and don’t settle for anything but greatness.”
I bite the inside of my lip, but before I can say anything else, everyone starts to file in. They’re all so loud, so happy and excited, it makes me sick. I move around the island and hug my aunt from behind. She kisses my wrist and then taps my face before I go into the great room. A huge table is still full of all the platters of food we had for dinner. While everyone comes back in and warms up, I snack on some green beans before I notice the piano.
While we are a hockey-playing family, we are also a musical family. Usually we have a script at the holidays with all our parts for the caroling, but Mom figured this year, with everyone being here, we wouldn’t have time. I pop a green bean into my mouth and head to the piano, sitting on the bench. I make sure it’s tuned before I start to play “Silent Night.” I’m not much of a singer, but I can carry a tune. I move my fingers along the keys, playing effortlessly and singing the way I would when I was younger. When Shelli pops her head in, hitting a note only she can, I smile. She leans on the piano, singing with me, and then Mom joins. I love singing with my mom and sister. They have such beautiful ranges and are two gorgeous singers.
Evan comes in, sitting beside me as I start “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” Soon, the whole room is singing, and I notice that everyone has come into the great room. Some sitting on the floor, some at the table, but it’s Emery I notice standing in the doorway.
Her sweet eyes are on me.
I swallow hard as my dad comes to sit on the other side of me, on the edge of a chair, playing a guitar. I wish I could get lost in being with my family, singing with them as we would growing up, but my eyes keep cutting to Emery’s. She looks so unsure of herself, which makes no sense to me. Doesn’t she realize she can walk into any room and take it over? She’s so witty, so fucking beautiful, and I can’t get enough of her. She's wearing a rather large Assassins team sweatshirt and tight leggings with fuzzy socks. Her hair is in a tight braid, and her lashes kiss her cheeks every time she blinks. Her lips are so thick, and fuck, I just want her.
As the song ends, Posey says, “See, Mom, you can’t get mad if you aren’t going to make everyone a script of what part to sing.”
Mom glares. “I’m giving signs and pointing!”
“You’re not a conductor,” Shelli says, and Mom scoffs.
“Shelli Grace, I am the conductor of this family.”
Everyone laughs at that. Well, everyone but me. Instead, I start to play the notes to “Ocean Eyes,” and I’m not sure why. I don’t know if it’s because she’s looking at me or if I was just thinking about it, but I can’t stop myself. My fingers move over the keys, and of course, I get some very odd looks. Evan has my back, though. He sings softly along with me, and when I get to the chorus, I look up to meet Emery’s eyes. As I sing, her eyes don’t leave mine, and I know everyone is watching and is confused. Some may know we have something, but no one knows the extent of it. Not even our moms.