Fuck if I know.
“Never mind,” I eventually say. “I’ll figure it out.”
I start the car as I will my tears to stop falling. Jules turns on the radio to the all-Christmas station, but she doesn’t sing along like she usually does.
“A two-week suspension, not including the holiday break, means you’ll be out of school for a while,” I say, setting up my attempt to lift the mood. “Anything you want to do?”
Her head jerks back. “I’m not in trouble?”
I shake my head. “I need you to promise me two things. First, that you won’t speak that way to another adult unless they’re making you feel unsafe. Second, that you won’t repeat the things I say about anyone else to their face, okay? This needs to remain our little peapod of trust.”
A faint smile tugs at her lips. “Promise. To both things.”
I shrug. “Then we’re good, peanut. If someone pushes you, you have the right to defend yourself. I don’t care what Principal Torres said.”
Her shoulders loosen, and I take it as a win. It doesn’t cancel out the other missteps, but it’s something.
“So…how should we spend this extended holiday break? Other than keeping up with homework, of course.”
She bites her lip, thinking. “I’ve been talking to Rocío on Instagram. She’s really cool. We like a lot of the same things.” Her speech has sped up, a clear indication of her excitement. “She sends the funniest memes and the prettiest makeup tutorials. Could we go back to Mapletown? So I can see her?”
I nod. “Yeah, I think we can make that happen. I’ll talk to her mom and see if they’ll be around the next few weeks.”
Jules bounces in her seat, and the next thing I know, she’s screeching the words to “Jingle Bell Rock.” When we pass the street I’d normally take to go home, her brow furrows as she asks, “Where are we going?”
“Shopping,” I reply with a wink. “Let’s get you some bras, baby girl.”
Chapter 13
DOMINIC
This was a bad idea. Was it a bad idea? Will she be happy to see me? This was a mistake.
The same thoughts keep circling, making my palms sweat as I run my hand through my hair for the seventh time.
Just knock, idiot.
I take a deep breath and knock.
A gasp sounds from behind the door, and Lindsay opens it, but only a crack. She’s looking at me like I’m something out of her nightmares, and my brain confirms that this was definitely a mistake.
“Nic?” she whispers before looking over her shoulder. “I’ll be right back.” Her comment is for whoever is inside her apartment. My mind provides many guesses, none of which calms my nerves. She slips out into the hall and closes the door behind her. With wide eyes, she asks, “What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I took the day off. Wanted to come surprise you and Jules.” I lean down and press a kiss to her cheek, trying to pretend like this is fine. That Lindsay doesn’t look terrified to be standing near me. That the tension coming off her body doesn’tmake me feel like I’m her dirty little secret in the enchanted town she occasionally visits.
I knew Lindsay would be at home today because Jules is two days into her suspension, and Lindsay is working from home until Jules goes back to school. I had hoped she’d be excited to see me, and I could talk both of them into playing hooky for a few hours to show me around their neighborhood.
“But…” She looks me up and down, like she’s just now realizing I’m a zombie. “Buthoware you here? I assumed you couldn’t leave Mapletown.”
“Lindsay,” I hear a female voice call seconds before the front door opens. “Oh, hello there.” The woman is several inches shorter than Lindsay, with paler skin and fewer curves, but with the addition of soft creases in the corners of her eyes and silver streaks in her hair. Her mother, I’m guessing. The woman turns to her daughter. “I didn’t realize you were having company today.”
I notice that Lindsay is looking between me and her mother like we’re both covered in blood. My heart sinks when I figure out why. She’s ashamed of me. Her fear is in her parents meeting me.
“Well, come in,” her mother says with a smile. “There’s no need to hang out in the drafty hallway.”
I step around Lindsay and offer my thanks to the person who doesn’t mind hosting me. “My name is Dominic. Pleased to meet you, ma’am.” I offer my winningest smile and most gentlemanly bow.
She giggles. Jackpot. “I’m Annabelle, Lindsay’s mother.”
