Olive is about to kick off her tour with Akira Rain that begins over on the east coast, so I guess, in a way, this is a mini farewell to her, too.
We all intend on going to as many shows as possible, so while we may not see each other in Grangewood Creek for a long time, we’ll see each other often.
The girls will make sure of it.
“I can’t believe you all fly out tomorrow,” Cassandra mopes, her bottom lip pouting, and her hazel eyes watering. “We’re going from two song lengths back to two and a half movie lengths again.” She sighs, pulling Jenna in for a long—clearly much needed—hug.
“We’ve spent the last year living apart and we’re stronger than ever,” Jenna reminds her with a kiss up top of her head, but she doesn’t let her go. Not until Lizzie lets everyone know that the first game is up, and it’s apparently one where you shove a weird contraption thing in your mouth, while saying a tongue twister that everyone else attempts to decipher.
We went around the table, everyone was paired up while Tate remained partner-less, yet somehow ended up being on Olive and Lizzies team—much to Lizzie’s dismay, as she didn’t want him to disrupt their twin telepathy or something to that effect.
I attempted to have Jenna be on my side, but she shook her head, determined to be with Cassandra, leaving Harley and me no choice.
Well, we had a choice.
Neither of us wanted to choose Tate, though. We came to the obvious conclusion that this was the best it was going to get.
“My turn,” Cassandra says, then squeals, turning to face her best friend. Jenna’s knees bounce up and down as she pats her open palms on them.
God, she really is perfect.
Her smile takes over her entire face, and her blue eyes have this glow and light in them that used to come in waves, but now are a permanent addition.
I wasn’t sure how it was going to go with the cupcake and the coffee, but when Cassandra told me that Jenna had a flight booked, I scrambled to think ofsomethingto get her to stay.
I needed to get her to the movie set, and I knew that once she was there, I could convince her. I knew I could find the right words if she just gave me a chance.
Once Cassandra had dropped her off, she texted to say she had Jenna’s key, would unpack all of her things, and her apartment would be waiting for her by the end of the day.
It was a long shot, but I knew I needed justone.
Once we got back home, I explained everything to her—where I slept that night, how I found Mara in my bed, and I made sure she knew that nothing happened between us.
She was hesitant at first, but I knew she believed me.
Cassandra readies herself for her turn, sliding the mouthpiece in. Giggling, she turns to Harley, her eyes smiling, and saying her phrase, “I avin a ab ee.”
“Oh my God, I cannot understand a word you’re saying,” Jenna says through a fit of laughter while everyone else struggles to breathe through theirs—me included.
“I ed-I avin a ab ee,” Cassandra attempts to say again, gums and teeth flashed wide, and tears streaming down her face through her amusement. Harley sits beside her with hearts in his eyes, watching her like she’s the only person that exists.
I guess to him, she is.
And I get it.
If I hadn’t just realized that Cassandra was trying to tell Jenna that she was having a baby, I would’ve scooped my girl up and taken her back home so I can worship every inch of her body like I have been for the last week straight.
“Wait,” Olive says, her eyes darting between her sisters and brother-in-law. “Did you just… One more time, please.” She looks frantically at Lizzie and Jenna, then back at her oldest sister.
Cassandra clears her throat. “I ed,” she begins and Olive repeats her, loud enough for everyone to hear.
“I said.” Cassandra nods.
“I avin.”
“I’m having.” Another nod.
“A a-bee.” She drags it out, her eyes darting around the room to see if anyone has caught on, but it’s like they’re all waiting for Olive to spell it out for them before they react.
