“Well, you’d have been right.”
I smile and kiss her cheek once more. “No funny business, though. I want to work toward a future.”
She nods, but her face shifts into something I can’t quite place—fear maybe? I’m a little scared too, but I don’t let it linger long. Things between us feel too right to be scary.
“Speak now or forever hold your peace.”
She reaches for my hand. “I want that too.”
Chapter 11
Ella
When I wake up to get ready for work, flashes of yesterday’s Thanksgiving dinner replay in my mind. Jesse’s family welcoming me back into their home with such warmth, dinner and conversation around the table, him asking me to be his girlfriend. I’m so grateful I didn’t have to spend the holiday alone or back home in Texas.
Texas. My stomach knots. It’s not like I hate it there, it’s home, or itwas. Now there are too many people with too many opinions about things they didn’t want to understand. I can still hear my family and friends giving me their two cents every chance they had. As if I didn’t already feel terrible.
I rinse the soap off my face and press the towel against it, holding it there a few seconds longer than I need to. Like maybe, if I press hard enough, I can bury the memories I left back home. It’s been months since it all went down, and after weeks here, the small things of it have finally started to blur. Jesse’s been a big part of that, keeping me distracted and all.
I tell myself I did the right thing; IknowI did the right thing.But that doesn’t make it hurt any less. If I could go back, I’d do things differently, be more upfront and honest rather than staying quiet because I was too scared.
The uneasiness settles in my chest that Jesse still doesn’t know. I know I have to tell him, but I’m just dreading it. I don’t want him to judge me or have reservations about our possibility of a future.
I’ll tell him eventually, but right now I just want to enjoy this time of reconciliation, getting to know each other again. I don’t need to share about my life back home quite yet.
* * *
When I get to work, the ER is overflowing. Apparently there was a big accident on the highway. Everyone seems to be fine, no casualties, but lots of open wounds, bandages, splints, X-rays, and blood. I grab gloves and scan the chaos throughout the room. My eyes land on someone I know: Mason.
My heart jumps, and I freeze for a moment, taking in the sight. His usual expression is replaced by a grimace of pain. His leg is elevated, a bandage wrapped around it and blood staining through.
Hurrying over to him, I ask, “Mason, what happened?”
He shifts slightly and I notice his jaw tightens. “Black Friday madness. I didn’t even feel it at first.”
“Yeah, adrenaline likes to do that.” I reach for his bandage. “May I?”
He nods, and I slowly start to undo the poorly wrapped dressing. Whoever attempted this was clearly in a hurry.
The sight is worse than I was expecting. I swallow. “Mason, this is pretty deep. You need stitches.”
“You think? I think it’s fine,” he claims, and I cock my head at him as he simultaneously is trying not to wince at me barely touching him.
I chuckle and shake my head. “Very funny.”
Slipping the gloves off and tossing them into the trash can, I start to walk away to get a suture kit.
Mason’s voice stops me. “Wait, Ella.” I turn back to him. “Can you call my mom and let her know what’s going on, but tell her not to worry or come over here?”
“Of course.” I reach for my phone and find Maureen’s number.
* * *
The next few days blur together. After working four night shifts in a row, I’m looking forward to the next two days off to recharge.
Maureen invited me to help her decorate for Christmas now that Thanksgiving had passed. I agreed, knowing it would be much more than just hanging garland and stringing lights. This was a chance to spend time with someone who’d always treated me like one of her own. There’s a warmth about Maureen that is so comforting. She insisted I stay for lunchanddinner, promising something homemade of course. You’ll never have a bad meal at her dining room table and she’ll make sure you don’t leave on an empty stomach.
When I get to the house, it’s just Addison’s car parked outside and a truck I don’t recognize. Usually, Maureen’s car and Leonard’s truck are out front. Maybe they’re in the garage? I don’t know. I do know Mason is working and Jesse and Cody aren’t anywhere on the property either.
