Last year, I was afraid. Every single day. Not because of what happened, but because of the consequences. I was afraid I’d never be able to dance again, and I don’t think I would have been able to survive that.
—Zoe
Something is wrong. I want to believe that I’m exaggerating and have been trying to convince myself of it for hours. Unfortunately, I don’t buy it.
Not after being an involuntary witness to the conversation between Jase and his father.
Skye and I didn’t agree to stay after class; we just did it. Just like we both left the room together as soon as Jase and his dad disappeared. There’s no way we could have known that they’d stop to argue in the middle of campus, or that the wind would carry their words in our direction. But we moved on, both realizing that Jase wouldn’t want us to hear it.
Now I wish I’d stopped and waited for him, offered to talk. But I didn’t, and now he’s gone. He’s not in his room and hasn’t answered my calls or texts.
My phone beeps, and I collapse onto my bed. But the message that pops up on my screen isn’t from Jase; it’s from my brother.
Caleb:
I’m about to die of excitement. If you don’t like Parker, we’re going to have a problem!
I stifle a groan. Damn it. I totally forgot. Caleb asked me two days ago if I wanted to go out to eat with him and our parents so he could introduce us to Parker. I said yes because, at the time, there was no reason not to.
Hopefully, there’s still no reason not to because Jase is doing okay.
But I’m worried, and spending the evening with my brother and his new boyfriend feels wrong right now, and that bothers me. Part of me wants to stay here and wait for Jase to get in touch. The other part knows very well that he won’t show up today. That he won’t sleep next to me in my bed and wake up next to me tomorrow. My chest tightens. He was with me the entire week. It’s crazy how fast I got used to having him sleep with me. How strange it is that he’s not lying on my bed right now, listening to music in his headphones and playing with my hair as I read.
A new message pops up on my phone. It’s Caleb again.
Caleb:
Zoe? I can see that you read my message! Calm me down! Please!!!
I sigh and type a reply. Staying here won’t do any good. Besides, I shouldn’t spend the evening by myself right now. I would just overthink everything.
Zoe:
Stop worrying. I know I’m going to love Parker. Mom and Dad are probably already planning your wedding.
Caleb:
That’s somehow not as comforting as you probably thought it would be...
Zoe:
Everything’s going to be fine, I promise!
I send him a few hearts, throw my phone back onto my bed, and get ready. When I finally leave my room, I still haven’t heard from Jase.
* * *
I’m the first one to arrive at the little Italian restaurant where we’re meeting for dinner. It’s Caleb’s favorite. We’ve spent every one of his birthdays here, except for one year when he was in bed with a stomach flu; I ate his birthday cake almost all by myself. As a little sister, that was practically my job.
He saw things differently and returned the favor on my nextbirthday. By then, however, I was too into dancing to even think about eating more than the two pieces I had allowed myself as a treat. Still, I would kill for a piece of that sticky-sweet chocolate cake with the liquid center, no matter how little it fits into my diet plan.
“Zoe!” I turn to look when I hear Caleb’s excited voice. I’m already sitting at our usual table in the back left corner. I don’t know how, but Caleb and my parents always manage to get the same table.
Allesandro’sis small and cozy, with dark wooden floors, exposed brick walls, rustic furniture, and dark-green-and-white checkered tablecloths. The low-hanging lamps bathe everything in a soft, warm light.
Caleb walks up to me with a big smile, a dark-haired, absolutely gorgeous guy in tow. I get up as the two of them approach the table and hug my brother before Parker hugs me. A little surprised, I return his embrace.
“Mom and Dad are going to be a little late. Mom got stuck at the office. Maybe that’s not a bad thing, so you two can get to know each other a little. Then we’ll have an ally if Mom and Dad ask questions that they shouldn’t,” Caleb says. I have to smile. He’s totally smitten.
