When we part, I look at him and l laugh, which is at odds with the lump in my throat. Or maybe it’s not. I don’t know if I’ve ever been so happy it’s brought me to tears, but maybe that’s what’s going on. “Can’t wait.”
“Perfect timing, because Benji and I just finished our bracelets and there’s one for everyone,” Lola says.
Lola slips an elastic, beaded bracelet on Jess’s wrist and Benji does the same for me. Most of the beads are black, but there are some pink and orange mixed in and around the letters that read:Thicker Than Water.
“Thanks, Benji. I love it,” I tell him and pull him in for a hug. He holds on long past the duration of an average hug and so do I.
“I’m glad you found Aunt Soph. You needed each other,” he says quietly.
“Yes, we did,” I agree, squeezing him tighter. “I think my family needed your family.”
When I step back, he nods and smiles.
I slip the bracelet I made on my own wrist.
“What’s yours say?” Soph asks.
I hold up my arm so she can see. It reads:SOPH, surrounded by heart-shaped red and pink beads.
“Cute.” Her tone is teasing, but her smile is smitten.
I nod my head at her arm as she slips the bracelet she made on her wrist. It reads:If it ain’t Evermore, it ain’t fuckin’ shit.
I laugh and then mimic her. “Cute.”
thirty-nine
“We should geton the road in the next hour,” I tell Ever and Jesse when they return from a morning run.
Jesse walks to the cabinet for a glass that he fills from the tap and chugs before asking, “Can I have a few of these muffins?”
“Help yourself. Mabel made them for you guys before she left to teach her monthly belly dancing class at the senior center,” I say, while I respond to an email. “She was sad she wasn’t going to be here to say goodbye, but said she’ll see us when they come up to visit in two weeks for her birthday.”
Ever crosses the room after he slips his shoes off by the front door and plants a kiss on top of my head. “Did the movers call with an ETA?”
I type the last sentence and hit send before I turn my head to look up at him and another kiss lands on my lips. “I talked to them about twenty minutes ago. They should be at the house around two this afternoon.”
A lot has happened in the past week, in addition to Ms. Banks saving the day.
Ever signed a six-month lease on the house near Estes Park. It’s furnished and on five acres with the nearest neighbor a mile away, so there’s plenty of privacy. And the best part is it’s vacant and available to move into immediately. We hired a mover to pack up his instruments and studio equipment at his uncle’s in Kentucky and deliver them, along with the old Toyota 4Runner that he’s had since he was in high school, to the rental house to arrive today, along with Ever, Jesse, and me.
The big news is that the ink is dry on their new record deal. Scout emailed it over a few days ago, and after a few rounds of clarification, negotiation, and revisions, as well as the blessing of their new attorney, they signed it.
I was worried about Ever because I wasn’t sure if the new commitment would be triggering for him, with all he’s been through, but he’s been different since everything was settled with his old label. He can finally put that chapter behind him. I’m not sure what it’s like to feel completely at peace, but I imagine that’s what’s going on with him. He’s calm, like this new path has grounded him.
“Oh, and you guys need to call your mom,” I add. “She called me this morning when she couldn’t reach either of you. She wanted your new address because she wants to send a housewarming gift. I told her you had some more good news to share, and she asked if I,” I finger quote the rest, “‘had a bun in the oven?’” I look at Ever. “Obviously, you need to set the record straight.”
Jesse laughs as he walks toward the bathroom in the hall to shower. “You’re gonna be sorry you gave her your number, Soph. You’re about to be jumped into Suzie St. Clair’s gang. I’m sorry, welcome, and godspeed.”
Ever sits down next to me. His hair’s damp with sweat, the apples of his cheeks are red, and his T-shirt’s clinging to him inthat way that makes me wonder whether there’s time for another shower even though I took one an hour ago.
“How many miles?” I ask.
“Three. It was a struggle. Jess kicked my ass. I’m so out of shape. I need to get back into my routine.”
He’s been working out every day this week.
I eye him up and down. “If this is you out of shape, I don’t know if my heart can handle you in shape.”
