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“It shows your strength of character.”
“I think Aiden and Gram had a part in that.”
“You were lucky to have them.”
I deserved so much better than the parents I was given. I’d say it shaped me into the person I am, and a few weeks ago, I would have been happy about that. But after being with the Monroes, I could see that I’d missed out on an amazing family. Things could have been so much better. Sometimes I wondered why my parents had me at all.
“Hey.” Ireland appeared in front of us. “Would you mind testing the speakers with me? I want to get the best configuration.”
“Sure,” I said as I disentangled myself from the blankets and Heath’s arm. I didn’t want to leave. I was content there, but the conversation had veered into personal territory again.
It was the reason I loved that no one knew my past in California. The subject of my upbringing and my parents never came up. That was just how I liked it. My parents didn’t define me. My childhood home didn’t mean anything. I prevailed despite all of that, but no one needed to know my origin story.
We stood at different spots around the space to see if we could hear the movie. We made a few adjustments, assuming the crowd would be larger when we invited the community to attend. When Ireland was satisfied, I sat with Heath again.
“Everything good?”
“Yeah, she got it to work. You shouldn’t need additional speakers.”
“Thanks for helping.”
“Anytime,” I said as we settled under the blankets with my head on his shoulder. It was so warm and cozy that my eyes drifted shut. I didn’t become aware again until the sound had stopped, and Knox and Sebastian were nudging Addy and Ember awake. They were staying at Knox’s house tonight.
Heath helped me to stand, and I stifled a yawn. “I fell asleep.”
“I know.”
“Sorry about that.”
“I like that you felt comfortable enough to fall asleep.”
I didn’t respond to that comment because it felt too personal. It felt like something someone would say to a girlfriend, and that wasn’t what this was. We folded the blankets and piled those and the bean bags in a wagon that Emmett would tow to his house and unload.
I helped everyone clean up the food we’d laid out, which were mainly snacks and drinks. After cleaning up the trash, we said our goodbyes and got into Heath’s truck for the short ride home. I couldn’t believe I’d thought of Heath’s cabin as home.
California was my safe place, where no one knew me. But it wasn’t exactly a home. It wasn’t the same as the Monroe farm. It was a scary feeling because I could easily get too comfortable here.
Heath reached over and interlaced his fingers with mine. “You think the movie night is a possibility?”
“Definitely. It’s going to be amazing.”
“Will you be here for the first one so you can help Ireland? She could do it herself, but I think she’d feel more confident if you were here.”
“I can be.” We hadn’t discussed when I was leaving, and I didn’t want to think about it. I was enjoying my time here.
At the cabin, Heath opened the door and went around the house, turning off the lights and making sure the door was locked. I headed upstairs to my room to get ready. A few minutes later, Heath popped his head inside.
“Are you sleeping in my room?”
“Do you want me to?” I asked, not wanting to assume.
Heath gave me a look. “I want you in my bed every night.”
“Heath—” I started.
“I know we haven’t defined what we are, but I enjoy spending time with you, and while you’re here, I’d like you to be in my bed.”
It wasn’t a declaration of love, but it felt like something. My insides felt a little soft and mushy as I gathered my things and joined him in his room at the end of the hall.
