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I hauled ass out of there, exhaling a shuddering breath the second I was outside his office.
Bama was the dream.
My ticket to freedom.
It was everything I’d ever wanted.
Yet, as I walked to class, I didn’t have the buzz of excitement I’d imagined. If anything, I felt conflicted. Because while I wanted it, and I really wanted it, I also wanted a girl with big blue eyes and a haunted smile.
And that was a huge fucking problem.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lily
“Good morning,baby. How are you feeling?” Mom came over and pressed her hand against my forehead.
“I feel better, Mom. Stronger.”
It had been a grim twenty-four hours. I’d spent more time hugging the toilet bowl than I had in bed. But I finally had the rumblings of hunger after eating nothing but a handful of crackers and ice chips yesterday.
“Just in time for your birthday, thank goodness. Happy birthday, Lily Star.” She hugged me.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Gosh, my baby is all grown up. I’m not going to lie, sweetheart, it makes me feel too old.”
“Old, who’s old?” Dad breezed into the kitchen carrying a gift card and small box.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart.” He dropped a kiss on my head. I’m sorry I can’t get out of tonight’s game to celebrate with you all.”
“Don’t be. We had dinner Wednesday.” It had been chaos. Our family, my cousins, and the Bennets. But it was my favorite kind of chaos. It was just unfortunate that I’d gotten sick.
I slid the card out of the envelope and beamed. It was one of those personalized ones with a collage of photos from my life.
“I love it.” I hugged them both again.
“Now your big gift.” Mom glanced at Dad and they shared a tentative look.
“What did you do?” My eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“Open it and see,” Dad urged.
Pulling open the bow, I snapped the lid and gasped. “Tell me this isn’t what I think it is.”
“Me and your mom thought it was time, baby. You're eighteen now. You’ve been doing so much better…”
Tears pricked my eyes as I plucked the key from the box. “You got me a car.”
“We did. But we want you to know, you don’t have to take driver’s ed. yet if you’re not ready. We just wanted you to have the option.”
“Thank you.” I swallowed over the giant lump in my throat. I didn’t know what else to say. They were both looking at me with so much hope, so much anticipation, I didn’t want to ruin their big moment… I didn’t want to tell them that I still wasn’t sure I was ready.
It was silly because a car was freedom, it was the ticket to spreading my wings further… but it was also a big step in flying the nest.
“Do you want to see it?” Dad asked, giving me a reassuring smile.
“Okay.”
