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“That’s what happens when you make fun of me,” I chuckled. “But seriously, happy birthday, Stace.”
“You being here is the best present I could’ve asked for,” she said, hugging me again. “I know how packed your Thursday nights can be,” she added sassily.
“If you’re going to be a smartass, I guess I can return the freaking awesome gift I found you,” I teased.
“Well, there are some perks,” she admitted with a grin. “Mom will be happy to see you,” she added. “Come on. Everyone is here already.”
We walked down through the kitchen and outside onto our parents’ huge deck. Overlooking their perfectly manicured gardens, the deck was set up as elegantly as I would’ve expected, just like any other time my mother had planned a party.
“Mom, Dad—Sax is here!”
I cringed as Stace announced my presence. I would have much preferred to just sneak in unnoticed and work my way up to acknowledging everyone, but now I was standing there with everyone staring at me.
“Sax,” Mom gushed. She rushed over and threw her arms around me.
I laughed and squeezed her back as she peppered kisses over my face. You’d think she hadn’t seen me in years. It was only last fucking week.
“How are you? So glad you could come. I know how busy you are,” she said with a smile. “Kate,” she said, turning to a woman about her age that had been standing behind us. “This is my son, Saxon.”
“Lovely to meet you.” Kate took my hand and shook it, her dark eyes twinkling as she smiled. “Your mother talks about you all the time.”
“Really?” I grinned.
Stace rolled her eye
s and dragged me away. “You’d think you were the only one in this family to have accomplished anything,” she grumbled, her mouth screwed up into a pout. “Never mind the fact that I got into U Penn on a freaking full academic scholarship.”
“Come on, Stace, don’t be jealous,” I laughed, throwing my arm around her. “Trust me, I’d much rather be ignored and left to do my own thing.”
“I guess they do hound you, don’t they?” she admitted. “But things seem better since you started working with the band again, right?”
“Sure, but only because it gives them something to brag about.” I gave her a squeeze and kissed her forehead. “It’s your birthday. We are not doing this today, okay? Today’s all about you.”
“Uh-huh, well tell that to Mom and Dad,” she sniggered, pulling away as I went to ruffle her hair again. “Hey, Kara was saying you got a new singer for the band?”
I swallowed hard at the sound of her name.
My cousin Kara: Harry’s younger sister.
“Yeah—Micah. You should come watch us practice one day. I think you’d like her.” I paused before adding, “So, how is Kara these days?”
“You can ask her yourself. She’s just over there.”
I followed Stace’s gaze to where Kara sat, laughing with some of their friends. The same age as Stace, the two of them had been inseparable their entire lives. They were the complete opposite of me and Harry.
“Go say hello,” urged Stace. “Seriously Sax, you have to let this go. She has.”
I nodded. My heart froze as Kara caught my eye and smiled. She nudged her head and invited me over. My feet felt like jelly as they walked toward her. I hadn’t seen her in ages. We hadn’t really spoken since it happened. I didn’t care if she had forgiven me; I’d never forgive myself for what I did to her.
“Hey stranger,” she said. “Are you going to sit down?”
I nodded and sank into the armchair next to her. “Good to see you. You’re looking well, Kara,” I said quietly.
“Thanks. I’ve been good. Really good. I’m off to Dartmouth in the fall. Did you hear?”
“That’s great,” I smiled. I sat there feeling awkward, not knowing what to say. Everything seemed stupid and pointless. She was sitting in a wheelchair because I’d fucked up. That’s all there was to it. There was no amount of forgiveness that would fix that. My parents hated me for it. Harry hated me for it. I hated me for it.
“It was nice seeing you, Kara. I better go find my sister.”
