____________________
The weekend is pretty damn stressful, but at least I’m not in it alone, since Maverick is in the same position. Interestingly enough, the fact that I’m now living with his sister hasn’t affected our friendship. Obviously there is absolutely no locker-room-style talk, but I was never really one to do that anyway, and neither is he.
By the end of the weekend, I’ve done what I said I would and signed with a team.
My dad is all smiles, and if rainbows could shoot out of his ass, they would.
“We’ll be in touch soon with all the details for training camp, and we’ll set up a time for you to come out and see the facilities in the next month,” the general manager tells me. “You’re going to be a great addition to the team.”
I shake his hand and mumble a bunch of nervous nonsense about how I’m looking forward to being part of the team and can’t wait for training camp, but what I’m mostly thinking is that at least Lavender won’t have to make good on her threat to break up with me.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Concede
Lavender
Present day
ME AND MY mom are always up at the crack of dawn, no matter what time we go to bed, so on Sunday morning, we leave everyone else to sleep in, and I take her to the theater so she can see where I work and what I’m involved in. We grab coffees and pastries on the way. I point out all the places Kodiak and I like to go, and where some of the other interns live.
My mom makes a face. “Kinda reminds me of the apartment I lived in before your dad convinced me to move into his place.”
“I thought you lived in Gigi’s pool house.”
“For a while, so I could save up enough money to get my own place, but you know Gigi. She’s well-meaning but has zero concept of personal space and does not know how to knock.”
I can only imagine what that would be like. Gigi is inappropriate at the best of times, and when she gets together with Grandma Daisy, they’re a total train wreck. “Thank you for trying your best not to mortify me on a regular basis.”
“I save it all for Maverick, since he deserves it.”
“Where do you think he’ll be next year?” I’ve been so focused on what’s going on with me and Kodiak that I’ve totally spaced on the fact that my brother is in the same position.
“Hard to say. Your dad seems to think there’s a chance he’ll end up in Nashville, but you never really know. And Mav is all about going with the flow, so he’ll be fine with whatever team wants him. Honestly, my biggest concern for your brother is the decadent lifestyle.”
“You’re worried the fame is going to go to his head?” I ask.
“He just . . . likes to have a little too much fun, and he doesn’t take things as seriously as he should.”
He buckled down after my dad called him out on all the partying and his poor grades in the first semester and managed to graduate with honors. “He was better second semester, though. Maybe he’ll do some growing up once he’s playing professionally.”
“We can hope.”
Rehearsal isn’t scheduled until later in the day, so the theater is quiet and basically empty when we arrive. I take her behind the stage to the back rooms where I work and show her some of the costumes I’ve completed since I started, as well as the one I’ve been working on for the past few days. I’m in the middle of explaining how fabric colors and textures work together with the set to make the actors really pop on the stage when she pulls me into a tight hug.
“Mom?”
“I’m so proud of you.” When she releases me, she dabs at her eyes. “You’ve come so far from that shy girl who didn’t speak above a whisper.”
“I had a lot of therapy and support and you, so that definitely helped.”
“I know we were super overprotective, and having three brothers did not make it easy, but you’ve always been your own person, and I’m so happy to see you shine the way I always knew you were meant to.”
I wave my hand in front of my face. “Stop with the mushy stuff! If I start crying, it’s your fault.”
Priscilla pops her head in the room. “I thought I heard voices in here! Lavender, I didn’t expect to see you today. But your timing couldn’t be more perfect. I have something I wanted to discuss with you. Oh! Hello.” Her gaze flits between me and my mom.
“Hi, I’m Violet. Lavender’s mother.” She holds out her hand.
“Oh, I can most definitely see that.” She smiles warmly and shakes my mom’s hand. “You must be incredibly proud of Lavender. I have to say, she is hands down the best intern we’ve ever had, which is what I wanted to talk to you about, although it can wait until tomorrow, if you prefer.” She looks from me to my mom.
“Now is fine with me.” I’m flustered by the praise.
Her smile widens. “The production team has been talking about how wonderful you’ve been, and we’d like you to stay on with us.”
“Stay on with you?” I feel like an idiot for echoing her, but I’ve only been here a few weeks. I had to have misheard that. “As in, you want to keep me on as an intern after July?”
“Not as an intern, but as a member of our company. You have an incredible skill set, Lavender. I know you’ve been studying in Chicago, but there are amazing programs here in New York you could transfer to, and many accept part-time students. That way you’d be able to continue your education while working with us.”
“Oh. Wow. That’s . . . very humbling.” That I manage to get any words out at all is amazing, considering my level of shock is pretty damn high.
“You’re a rare talent,” Priscilla continues. “I would love to help you foster that. Of course, I understand that it’s something you’ll need to think about. I wanted to give you time to consider it.”
“It sounds like a wonderful opportunity.” My mom threads her arm through mine and gives it a squeeze. “And it sounds like Lavender has some pretty big decisions to make for the fall.”
I’m not sure if she actually thinks it’s a wonderful opportunity or not, but I appreciate her speaking, because I don’t think I can right now.
“She certainly does, and of course there’s no rush. I just wanted to put it on the table. Regardless of your decision, Lavender, there will always be a place here for you.”
My mom waits until we’re outside the theater before she grabs my arm and turns me so we’re facing each other. “Gut reaction, no thinking—do you want to stay in New York?”
“Yes, but—”
She raises a finger. “Hold the but. What makes you want to stay in New York?”
“I love what I’m doing, I love this theater, everyone has embraced me, and I’ve found my people. I’m not weird or different. It’s okay that I’m quiet sometimes. People like my ideas, and we spark as a team. And surprisingly enough, I like the city. But the subway sucks.” I prefer walking over using public transit.
My mom wrinkles her nose. “Exhaust and urine are not a winning combination of odors.”
“So true. Besides that, I’ve made friends who aren’t my relatives, I feel like I’ve gained some real independence, and I’ve found something I’m really good at. Robbie has botany, River is great at school and football and being angry at life, and Maverick is great at hockey and one-month relationships.”