I nod. “The problem is, no judge will give me custody without a solid reason to take it from my mom. Not after I lied to social services when my dad died. And I don’t even have a good job. But...”
“But you don’t like college?”
“I hate it. I hate everyone in that hellhole except Sam. Especially Turner. I can’t even figure out why he offered me the internship with him. He hates me,” I grumble, blowing out a frustrated breath.
I notice fear flash in Maggie’s eyes, but when I start to ask, she masks it with a blank stare.
“Then quit.”
I sigh, getting up from the couch and pacing across the living room. “It’s not that simple. I can’t keep acting like a kid... I need to start being mature.”
Maggie takes my mug and the donuts into the kitchen, starting to wash the dishes. “Being mature means realizing when a path’s not for you. And being brave means choosing to change direction and follow what you truly love.”
“I don’t want to be just another disappointment...”
She turns toward me, drying her hands with a towel, then leans against the sink with her arms crossed. She motions for me to come closer, and within seconds, I’m standing in front of her.
“Nova Elizabeth Dehlia Marshall, whatever happens, you will always be my favorite person in the whole world. No matter what you do. Quit college, go spend your life talking to bunnies at taking care of every animal you set eyes on if that makes you happy, because what really matters is your happiness. I don’t care if you break up with Steven just to be with Vincent, if you quit college and start to work on the animal shelter you always talk about. I couldn’t care less who you end up with. The only thing I care about is you. Maybe I’m being selfish right now, but I want you to finally be happy and if you have to break Steven’s heart in the process, then do it, because I think that he deserves the truth. He needs to move on and find someone that’s going to be in love with him as much as you are in love with Vincent. You need to...Nova you need to stop smiling all the fucking time. Stop acting like everything’s fine, like you’re always happy, because you are the saddest girl I’ve ever met. You’re just too good at pretending. Scream, cry, be mad. Tell people what you really feel because you need to stop living this dead life.Be careless, be free, be alive.”
“I’m so messy, Mag.”
She chuckles, cupping my cheeks. “And I have anger issues. Does that matter to you?”
“At all... You’re my precious angry blondie.” I smile, hugging her.
“And you’re my precious little puppy.” She laughs, holding me tight. “I love you and your mess.”
Her words warm my heart. I hug her as tightly as I can, burying my face in the crook of her neck. “I love you, Maggie. You’re my sister.”My soul sister.
She’s part of my family and I would throw myself into a fire just to keep her safe.
“Okay, okay, let go now. I need to get ready for class,” she mutters, pulling away.
“Okay, Mag. Sorry.”
I burst out laughing, and she rolls her eyes before heading into her room, leaving me alone with all my thoughts.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out. It’s a message from Vincent.
Vincent:
https://open.spotify.com/intl-it/track/1Lo0QY9cvc8sUB2vnIOxDT?si=b2bbfcb9604e4422
Listen to the whole album, it’s called Gettin’ Old. I think you’ll like it :)
I click on the link with my heart pounding so hard it almost hurts. It takes me to a Spotify page, and a cover ofFast Carby Tracy Chapman begins to play—sung by an artist named Luke Combs.
I bolt to my room and lock the door behind me, as if I need to keep the whole world out. Before throwing myself onto the bed beside Fleur, I hook up my phone to the speaker on my desk. The first notes fill the room, soft and raw, and I close my eyes, letting the sound wash over me, like Vincent’s speaking to me through the music.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Vincent Cooper
PAST (2018)
"To me, the guitar is a weapon."
Joan Jett
