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He cocks an eyebrow at me, then starts laughing, too.
I smile up at him, and he pulls me into his arms. His scent envelops me. Nothing has ever been safer than this.
“Thanks for tonight,” I say quietly.
He breaks our hug and looks at me sheepishly. “I think somewhere along the lines I promised I’d always look at the stars with you on your birthday. And I always will.”
“I know I wished for that,” I say without thinking.
His eyes widen. “You did?”
I nod slowly. “In ninth grade. I know I’m not supposed to tell because it hasn’t come true yet—”
“It will.” The smile he gives me is so soft and genuine that I believe him completely.
“Anyway, thanks. It makes me feel special.”
“You are. Happy birthday, Beautiful.”
“Thanks, Ace.” I breathe out a shaky breath. I can do this. I can handle emotional moments with him without being reduced to a pile of tears.I can.I shake off the intensity and squeeze his arm. “Fix things with Joel. You need each other.”
I shoot him a wink and walk in the door, quickly closing it behind me. As I lean against it, I wonder if I’ll ever come out of time spent with him emotionally unscathed.
We walk into the lake house and immediately see the gorgeous view out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the back of the house.
“Fuck, I always forget how awesome this place is,” Trevor says, setting his bag down.
“Awesome is right,” Jamie says. “You guys are spoiled.”
“Well, keep note of what you like so you can get your own when you’re making four million a season in the pros,” Joel says, slapping him on the shoulder.
Jamie blushes. No wonder the girls flock to him. He looks like the most innocent, tender little thing. A lot of girls love that shit. He could totally pass as a virgin if he were the type to lie to a girl—which he definitely is not. Speaking of girls, Amanda looks like she wants to throw her panties at him. I’m surprised they haven’t hooked up yet. Their tension is palpable. Jamie doesn’t usually make girls wait. Amanda never waits long either, which makes me think this is something special for both of them.
Amanda and Jamie. Joel and Sarah.
No, Rae. No matchmaking. You are the last person who should doanymatchmaking.
“Where’s all the food?” Miles asks. He’s always thinking with his stomach these days. I wonder when boys stop growing.
“Right here.” I turn to see Aaron walking in, arms laden with food. Mackie walks a step behind him with even more.
“Damn guys,” Joel says.
Aaron and Mackie get all the food set up and Joel and I are sent down the line for first picks.
“See, told you.”
Joel sighs and glances over at Aaron. “Yeah. If only this was as easy to fix as food.”
“You’ll get there.” My eyes drift to Aaron, and I know I’m saying it for both of our sakes.
“I hope so.” He glances at everyone else chatting away, then looks me in the eyes. “You know, you were right. I stood by you more than him, and it wasn’t fair. Sometimes I have a hard time drawing that line. You’re like my sister, Rae Rae. We’re the OGs. I can’t imagine my life without them, but Ireallycan’t imagine my life without you.”
I blink at him as tears well. “Damn it, Joel. We can’t do that or we’ll both start crying.”
He laughs, but I can hear the emotion deep in his voice.
“It’s not the whole reason… but it’s part of it.”
