“Oh, he could. He had all those muscles and what not, but it’s more than that for me.” She sips her drink. “I need to have that emotional, mental connection, too. Sometimes it felt like that was lacking with him, especially toward the end. Sometimes it felt forced, like he wasn’t really in the present moment.”
“What a mood killer. I’m sorry.”
She waves my apology off. “It was, but thankfully, it’s not something I have to worry about anymore. I am free at last and plan to be for the foreseeable future. I want someone who wants me. Who uses me as their main distraction. Who would move mountains to get me in their arms, Vi.”
“Ever the romantic,” I crack with a grin. “You’ll find him. There’s a guy out there just like that with your name on him. It just might take weeding through some tall grass to get to him.”
“No kidding.” She gulps down more sauvignon blanc. I do the same. “But let’s not worry about me right now. I bet we can find a movie to watch while we devour this fine bottle ofvino.” She says the last word with an Italian accent. I can’t help but smile. It’s the first time I’ve been able to relax in a while.
I plan to use the next few weeks to recharge and prepare for next semester. While also trying to heal from the broken heart that nips my chest every time I so much as breathe.
I have no idea how I’m going to do it. I am inexplicably in love with Colson, and being away from him only makes my heart scream that much louder. The wine helps mute it out, though.
We spend the next forty-five minutes commentating on an old Amanda Bynes movie,She’s the Man,where she dresses up as her brother to prove girls can play soccer, too, but also has the biggest crush on her roommate, who just so happens to be played by Channing Tatum.
Everleigh falls back against the cushions and visibly swoons. The flick is cheesy as hell, but hilarious in its own way. She wants them to get together so badly but secretly loves that Amanda has been covering for her brother this entire time. For a little while, everything else gets pushed to the back of my mind and it’s just me, Everleigh, and Amanda with sideburns.
That is, until we’re interrupted by a knock at the door.
Everleigh is so into the movie that I offer to get up and check it. We don’t normally get many visitors, but I have a steady stream of wine coursing through my veins to care too much about who might be on the other side of it.
I don’t check the peephole. Just twist the knob and pull it open. I lean my shoulder into the door but then nearly choke on my spit.
Olive has one hand on her suitcase, the other clutching her phone, and her lips split into a bright, blinding smile. “You said you weren’t going to stay at Mom and Dad’s for the holiday. Did you really think I was going to let you spend your break alone?”
“You’re kidding me.”
“Does it look like I’m kidding?” She pushes me out of the way and rolls her suitcase inside the apartment. “I thought it’d be good if we had some good ole sister bonding time since we nevergot it over Thanksgiving break.” The door clicks shut behind us, and she whirls on me. “What do you think?”
“I think I’m shocked as hell that you’re actually on my doorstep.” I have to blink two times to make sure it’s not the wine. “Are classes over for you?”
“Last one was yesterday. I booked it out of there so fast they definitely ate my dust.”
I laugh and finally pull her into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“We’re about to have so much fun.”
I sigh in her hold, realizing how much I needed this—a loving, soul crushing hug. “I’m ready to have all the fun with you,” I murmur, sadness clutching me in response to her presence. I’ve missed her so damn much. She’s exactly who else I need in my corner right now.
“Violet?” Everleigh calls from the living room. “Who is it?”
I pull away from my sister. Olive sing-songs from the entryway, “Only the best sister in the whole wide world!”
And then I’m left following her into the living room, watching as she takes my seat on the couch and comments on how stupid it is of Amanda to dress up like a boy rather than bone the hotness that is Channing Tatum.
TWENTY-THREE
VIOLET
It’sthe night before Everleigh leaves to head home for winter break. Her parents are a couple hours away, and it’ll be a drive for her, but she’s looking forward to getting away and putting more distance between her and Tristan. Unfortunately, he’s one-sixth of our friend group, which means there are times we’re all together. Like tonight.
All of us, minus Sylvia, are at Lucy’s. Olive is here, too. It’s our end-of-the-semester celebration as a group before we go our different ways for a few weeks.
“I’m going to miss you so much,” I admit to Everleigh over drinks at the bar. It’s less congested than normal since a lot of students wasted no time leaving campus.
Everleigh pulls me into a side hug and squeezes me. “I’m so glad we’ve had the chance to bond these last few weeks. It’s made things easier.” She means her break up with Tristan. As much as she likes to play it off that she’s not bothered by it anymore, I know she is. She’s longed for a meaningful relationship ever since I’ve known her, and she put so much time and effort into the one she had with Tristan just for him to push her to the side.
Now isn’t much better, not when we can see him on the dance floor, flirting and groping a leggy blonde in a halter top two sizes too small.
