That made me look up. “You what?”
“You need a day,” she said, setting a mug of tea in front of me. “You’ve been running on empty for weeks, Jade. You’re allowed to stop.”
I stared at her, confused. “But Coach?—”
“Coach Roman knows. And she agrees.”
My defenses wobbled.
She turned off the stove and sat across from me, sliding a small envelope across the table. I opened it slowly, thinking maybe it was a card or a note.
It was a key.
Before I could ask, I heard the rumble of an engine outside. A second later, tires crunched on gravel.
I shot to my feet and stepped to the front window, pulling back the curtain.
A vintage Mini Cooper convertible—cherry red, cream leather interior, scuffed just enough to have character—was being parked in our driveway.
The driver got out, waved to my aunt, and walked off like it was totally normal to drop a whole-asscarin the middle of a Tuesday.
“What is that?” I whispered, still staring.
“My friend Paula’s mom used it as a summer car,” my aunt said, joining me by the window. “It’s high on mileage and love, but it runs smooth and the top still goes down.”
I turned to her, stunned. “No. No way. I can’t accept that.”
“Yes, you can.” She smiled, brushing a piece of hair behind my ear. “You need wheels. That walk isn’t sustainable—especially with half the school gunning for you.”
I shook my head. “It’s too much. I don’t deserve this. I?—”
She pressed a finger to my lips. “Stop.”
Tears sprang up again, quick and hot.
“You coming here,” she said softly, “was an escape from something awful. A tragic part of your life. But for me?” Her voice thickened. “It was a blessing.”
I blinked.
“You’ve broughtjoyto this house, Jade. Real, actual joy. It was just me and the cats and a bunch of broken clocks before you showed up. I didn’t even realize how lonely I was until you filled this place with your noise and your socks and your awful singing in the shower.”
I let out a watery laugh, covering my mouth with one hand.
“I love you, girl,” she said, pulling me into a tight hug. “Let me give you this. Let me make life just a little bit easier.”
I buried my face in her shoulder and nodded.
“Okay,” I whispered. “Okay.”
Chapter Eighteen
LEO
Fake it ‘tilyou make it.
That was the unspoken mantra of every Royal Oaks royal, and I wore it like a damn crown.
Smile like nothing hurts. Walk like the world belongs to you. Shrug off heartbreak like it’s just an old hoodie you outgrew.
