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CHAPTERELEVEN
Stella
“You ready?” Poppy calls through my bedroom door at Harley’s house.
She usually spends her weekends up in Maddison County with her boyfriend—Harley’s older brother—but he’s got an away game this weekend so she’s staying in Rosewood.
“Yeah,” I shout from the bathroom. “You can come in.”
I continue straightening my hair and then finish off my makeup as she perches on the edge of my bed.
“You look good,” she says, taking in my skirt and oversized sweater.
“I feel good, too,” I admit.
The pain is much more bearable now, mostly just an ache if I haven’t rested enough or a twinge if I move too fast. I’m not going to be doing gym or cheer anytime soon, but at least I can pretty much function like a normal human again. And go the day without desperately needing a nap.
“Any plans to go back yet?” she asks, just like one of them does almost every day now.
I need to make a decision. School isn’t going to wait forever. I can only attempt to keep up to date online for so long, but now I’m here, living my old life that’s void of drama and assholes who want to hurt me, the desire to return is getting less and less. Even if the thought of not seeing a certain someone I shouldn’t give a shit about makes my chest ache.
“I need to look at flights,” I say. It’s the truth. Reality isn’t going to wait forever.
Calli is desperate for me to come back. Toby and Dad, too. And I’m more than ready for answers from everyone.
“As much as I’m going to miss you, you know you’ve gotta just do it.”
“I know. I think I’ve maxed out on my moping.”
“I’m not sure recovering from what you went through can be classed as moping, Stel.”
“Well, whatever. It’s been fun. I’ve loved being back with you three.”
“Maybe next time we could come to you.”
“Yes,” I squeal. “That has to happen. Next summer, before you all start college.”
“I’d better start saving,” she mutters, her own reality hitting her.
“S’all good. You’ve got plenty of time,” I say, not wanting to tell her that I’ve got her covered, because I know how much she hates feeling like a charity case, even though that’s far from the truth.
“Come on. I’m starving, and Bill’s waffles and bacon are calling me,” I say, marching toward her and dropping my gloss into my purse.
“Let’s go.” She hops up and we head for the door.
Poppy swipes Harley’s key from the dresser in the hallway, and after saying goodbye to Jada, who returned from her business trip last weekend, we head out to meet the others at Aces.
Just like every other time I’ve been down here since I came back, I walk through the doors to the old-fashioned American diner with a smile on my face.
We’re the first here, and after waving at Bill, the owner, we slide into our usual booth. Both Harley and Ruby had cheer practice this morning, and their boys were at training.
“Morning, ladies,” Bill says with a huge smile on his friendly face. “What can I get for you?”
We both order milkshakes, telling him that we’ll order food once the others arrive.
“Oh shit,” Poppy hisses a few minutes later, frantically searching through her purse.
“What’s wrong?”
