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Chapter Fourteen
Willow - Thirteen Years Ago - Age Fourteen
Mybedroomdoorfliesopen and Jade comes running in, her eyes lit up with excitement. “Are you ready to go? Mom said we can sleep outside if the weather holds out.”
“With Luca?” I say, jumping up as I picture her new golden retriever puppy.
Jade frowns, shaking her head. “He’s not allowed outside yet, but we can play with him before sunset.”
“Sounds perfect. My bag is at the door.” I throw the book I was reading onto my desk and roughly remake the bed—just enough so I don’t get told off about it when I get home—and then follow Jade into the kitchen.
“Have you finished your reading?” Mom asks the second she sees me.
“Yes.”
“What about your—”
“All my homework is done. It’s on my desk if you want to check it.” I stop short of telling her she can grade it if she wants. She’s always checking it over so carefully.
“What about—”
“Let her go,” Dad says, interrupting her as he gives me a wink. “If she hasn’t finished, she’ll have time tomorrow night.”
“Yes. You’re right.” Mom pulls me into a hug and presses a kiss to my head. “Then take care, Sweetie. Tell Heather I’ll pick you up around two.”
“Two?” I whine.
“Yes, two. I’m making a roast for dinner and need to be home in the afternoon.”
Ugh. I roll my eyes but only Dad sees it and chuckles as Mom turns away. She’s said her piece and now she’s moved on. “Bye, Mom,” I say, only walking away after she raises her hand in a wave.
“Bye, love,” Dad says, following us down the hall on the way to his bedroom. “Have fun.”
I give Dad a quick hug before racing after Jade.
“Two is still good,” she says as I reach her, always trying to be positive. We live at opposite ends of town, and Jade lives on a ranch so it’s not easy to walk to each other’s houses. It drives me crazy having to rely on our parents, but Jade’s much more accepting. Probably because her parents would pick her up at three a.m. if she asked.God, I love them.
“Two is good,” I agree with a smile just as we pass by Ashley and Pippa in a standoff in front of the TV. Jade giggles before we sneak away. My sisters love bringing other people into their arguments, and Jade and I have been caught in the middle way too often.
After grabbing my bag, we’ve just made it out the door when they start screaming at each other, making us both burst out laughing.
“Some days I wish I had a sister,” Jade says as she peers back through the window. “Other days I really, really don’t.”
I laugh even harder, curling my arm around her shoulder. “I’ve told you time and time again, I’ll move in any day. Just say the word.”
Jade leans her head into mine and smiles. “Sisters forever?”
“Sisters forever,” I repeat easily because that’s one thing that’s never going to change between us. She’s the sister I choose. The one I need.
Chapter Fifteen
Willow
I’mbarelyholdingonto my sanity as I process everything Jesse said. None of this feels real. None of what he’s saying makes any sense, nor does it trigger a feeling of déjà vu like I was sure it would.
When I’d hung up from my therapist, I’d been full of hope. While she couldn’t explicitly say I was getting my memories back, she was optimistic, and considering what I knew, I was happy with that answer.
And determined.
