“What? Don’t you want me to be happy?” Abby raised an eyebrow.
“Of course.” Kate’s gaze electrified her. “That’s all I want for you.”
The tiny crumb alluding to enduring desire revived Abby, who’d spent the last month on her best behavior. She curbed the flirtation, stares, and even the time she spent with Kate to safeguard their friendship. She hated the fear that flashed across her face during the camping trip, even more than she hated that they never shared that kiss. But that night, Abby’s stomach swooped, and what she’d spent weeks denying resurfaced with greater power—she still wanted Kate.
She spent winter break much like the year before. Christmas with Isla. A couple days at the McMechan house. She texted Kate sporadically, disappointed by the terse responses. Perhaps she read it wrong again. Perhaps they really weren’t going any further.
She drank to cope with agony on New Year’s Eve, joining Mick for the same party as she had the year before. Jill drove in to join them. They lamented Kate’s absence, but Abby secretly shattered. She tried to immerse herself in the party, promising a midnight kiss to more than one person, but when the clock struck twelve, she called Kate. Mick ripped the phone from her before she could leave a drunk message.
She considered another call the next morning, lounging in the McMechan basement while they nursed hangovers. Abby half-heartedly flicked her video game controller forMario Kart,wincing whenever Jill and Mick shrieked.
“You guys are giving me a migraine.” She grumbled, but when her phone buzzed, she sat up, cured by Kate’s name flashing across the screen. “Hey, hi. Happy New Year.”
Mick rolled her eyes, and Abby chucked a pillow at her.
“Happy New Year,” Kate said through static.
“I’m with Mick and Shupe.” Abby dodged an incoming pillow. “I’m sorry I called last night. I know you’re with your family. I guess I just wanted you with us.”
“It’s all right.”
“Oh, and guess what? When I was leaving Isla’s yesterday, Luca pulled up. I think they spent New Year’s Eve together. Can you believe it?”
“That’s great.”
Abby furrowed her brow at Kate’s flat affect. “How are you? How’s your family?”
“I need you to come get me,” Kate said.
“What?”
“I need to leave. I can’t be here anymore.”
Abby stood. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“Abby, please.”
The strain, the sniffle on the other line, set Abby’s nerves aflame. It launched a flood of adrenaline that had her twitching to strike whoever made Kate whimper.
“I’ll leave right now,” Abby said. Kate hung up before she could ask for details, texted her the address and nothing else. “Shit.”
“What’s going on?” Mick asked.
“I don’t know. Kate asked me to get her.”
“From Deer Park?” Jill asked. “That’s like a six-hour drive. Seven in this weather.”
Mick wrung her hands together. “Is she okay?”
“I don’t know.” Abby zipped up her coat and grabbed her boots. “I’ll tell you when I get there.”
“Hey wait.” Jill stopped her. “Have you driven in snow before?”
“No, but I’ll be fine.”
“Not in your piece of shit car.” Jill tossed her keys to Abby. “Take mine. I have four-wheel drive and snow tires. Just go slow.”
Abby squeezed Jill into a hug. Mick joined the embrace, the trio securing arms around each other’s shoulders.
