Every so often, I get these anonymous texts, clearly from a secret admirer at school. The messages are harmless, usually a good morning or you look cute today, type of text. I never respond. I don’t know who it is, and I’ve never asked, but it doesn’t matter. I guess I should be flattered, but unless they have green eyes and are around six feet tall with a defined Adonis belt, I’m not interested.
After sliding on my white Air Force 1’s, I grab my morning meds and head down to the kitchen. My nose follows the smell of sausage cooking until I turn the corner to see my dad hugging up on my mom from behind. He’s nuzzling her neck while she’s trying to scramble some eggs. He murmurs something into her ear, making her giggle, and it pulls a smile from me.
My parents are totally head over heels for each other. They’ve been amazing role models, and I know I’ll never settle for less than what they have.
Too bad the one my soul craves will never feel the same way.
I glance at them and imagine a world where it’s me and Cullen, shoulder to shoulder in the kitchen doing somethingmundane together, like burning Pop-Tarts in the toaster. The image tightens my chest until it’s hard to breathe.
I take a few slow breaths to keep from cracking.
My dad looks up from my mom's neck and gives me a big smile. “Morning, bud. Sleep alright last night?”
I plaster on a practiced smile, hoping it hides the mess still churning beneath the surface, and walk over to where they’re standing. I kiss my mom on the cheek and give my dad a quick hug.
“Out like a light all night. I didn’t even hear you guys come home. How was the day trip?”
“We ran into a little traffic on the way home from your grandparents, but other than that, it was a nice, quick trip,” Mom chimes in. “Your grandma wonders if you remember what she looks like, though.” Her tropical blue eyes flick to mine, the corners crinkling with her teasing smile.
My grandparents are the best, but their house in the mountains doesn’t offer much to do. The hiking’s great, but that kind of defeats the purpose of visiting.
“Mom—” I start, but she cuts me off.
“Don't worry, love. I told Grandma that it was your last few weeks of school, and you’re trying to spend time with your friends before you all go off to college, but you’d love to come visit for a few days after graduation.”
I give my mom an appreciative smile. We both know she fibbed a little. Cullen and I are going to Ashbridge State University and rooming together. I got in on an academic scholarship, one of the hardest ones to land, and Cullen will tell you he chose ASU because “Why not?” His words, not mine. He had his pick of schools, same as me, but I won’t pretend I’m not thrilled we’ll be living together. We’re even planning to try out for the soccer team.
Mom brings over a plate with sausage, eggs, and hash browns and sets it down in front of me. My mouth waters as the comforting smells help to bolster my mood.
“I'll make sure to call her and Granddaddy this weekend, and I’ll figure out a good time to go up there this summer,” I concede.
Mom gives me a satisfied wink. Maybe I can lure Cull into going with me with the promise of white water rafting on the river up there.
Dad sits down across from me just as Hadley’s usual high-pitched screech echoes from down the hall. He looks at me with a dark brown, raised eyebrow that I mirror back at him, both letting out a silent chuckle.
“Mom, can we, like, get a better water heater or something? Do you know how impossible it is to rinse out a hair mask with cold water?”
“Sweetheart, if hot water is an issue, you and your brother need to work out a shower schedule,” Mom voices, ever the family mediator.
“But Mom—” Hadley starts, but Dad cuts in. The man’s a saint.
“How was your day with Cullen yesterday, bud?”
I shoot him a grateful look. “It was good until Hads decided to ruin boys’ day.”
“I didn’t ruin anything,” she scoffs around a mouthful of toast. “Culleywas the one being an ass.”
“Hadley Grace Daniels, language,” Mom warns. Hadley just rolls her eyes and keeps eating her breakfast.
“What happened between you and Cullen, pumpkin?” Dad asks over his cup of coffee.
I jump in before Hadley can twist the events. “It was a total shitshow. Hadley slapped Cull.”
“Hudson Gray!” Mom scolds, exasperated.
“Sorry, Mom, but you’d agree if you’d been there.”
Hadley glares at me, and I stick my tongue out at her.
