“I can’t think about a five-year plan, Whitt. Jesus, did you think we’d be here five years ago?”
Just then, our food showed up. Whitton had curry while Harley and I had pad thai. Though hers was as hot as they could possibly make it. She was obsessed with spicy food.
“I certainly didn’t think I’d be at Tech,” Harley said. She twirled her food around on her chopsticks.
“Regardless,” Whitton said, “just because we didn’t see Lubbock happening to any of us doesn’t mean we can’t plan for the future.”
“Dude, that’s you. Not me,” I told Whitt. “I want to go with the flow.”
Whitton’s eyes twitched at that word.
“In five years, I want to be in law school,” Harley announced. “There, Whitt, you can stop hassling West on the first day home.”
“I’m not hassling. I’m being practical,” Whitt argued.
“Well, stop being practical then,” Harley said with a laugh. “Or I’ll put one of these ghost peppers in your curry.”
Whitton shot her a look. “Harlyn Anne, you wouldn’t dare.”
“We’re throwing a surprise party,” I interjected before they could get started. They could go like this for hours if I let them.
“Party!” Harley said. “Can I come?”
“No,” Whitton said at the same time I said, “Yes.”
“She’s nineteen,” Whitton argued.
“It’s Campbell’s birthday. Everyone is invited, and she doesn’t have to drink.”
“Y’all don’t have to be so ridiculous. I’m in college. I’m at frat parties every weekend. I’ve had alcohol before.”
“I’ll be there,” Whitton said.
“Me too,” Harley agreed.
I laughed at them both and went back to my food. It was good to be home with my siblings. I was used to being out on the road with other bands and away from them for months on end, but it was great, coming back to them. And I couldn’t wait to be with all my friends at the party.
4
Nora
Planning a surprise party for Campbell with three days’ notice was a feat. Luckily, we didn’t have a wedding that weekend at Wright Vineyard, and I had a few days of planning time to get it up and running.
“So, you’ll get the cake?” I asked Blaire.
My sister-in-law—which was still crazy to think about—smiled and nodded. Her bangs were long enough to flutter into her eyes with the movement. “I have it covered.”
“And he doesn’t suspect a thing?”
“Nope. I told him I have something special planned for his birthday. I think he’s hoping for sex.”
Her best friend and Hollin’s girlfriend, Piper, snorted. “Isn’t he always?”
“Aren’t all guys like that?” Blaire shot back.
Piper grinned devilishly, her eyes shifting to Hollin’s. “I suppose so.”
“Gross, y’all. Those are my brothers!”
Both girls snickered.
We were all standing in my dad, Gregg’s, backyard. Dad wanted to have a big welcome home and congratulations thing for Campbell. He and Campbell hadn’t always exactly gotten along. They’d had a lot of grief after Mom died, because Campbell had been Mom’s favorite, and he’d blamed Dad for her running out. But it had been a horrific car accident that had taken her life. It had been no one’s fault. Years of therapy had gotten us all to that point. So Campbell and Dad were trying, and that was what mattered.
Our aunts, Lori and Vail, stood together by the barbecue as Vail whipped up her famous burgers. Jordan and Julian’s mom, Helene, sat in a chair next to them. She’d had cancer a few years back, and she still seemed fragile all the time. But the doctors had said she was stable. It was nice to have everyone together.
“Weston said he’d help if you needed a way to get Campbell to the winery,” I offered.
“That would be great.” Blaire set her hand on my arm. “How is living with him, by the way? I know you said that you liked having the house to yourself.”
“I did. I thought he wanted me to leave, but he said that I could stay. Misunderstanding. And I know it’s only been a few days, but it’s kind of nice to have a roommate.”
“A cute roommate,” Piper added.
I flushed. “Well, yeah. Those Wrights, you know?”
“We know,” Blaire and Piper said together and then giggled.
“So, are you two…” Piper trailed off with emphasis and a wink.
“Uh, no, just roommates.”
“Come on,” she groaned. “After what August did…”
Piper had been there the day that I’d caught August cheating on me. She’d helped Hollin take care of me and had been hinting for the last several months that I should get back out there. That was all well and good, but how did one begin to get out there? I had never dated before. I had no clue where to begin. I wasn’t lucky enough to stumble upon another guy again, like I had with August. And anyway, look at how that had ended.
“Piper,” Blaire chastened.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring him up. I just want you to be happy.”
“Thanks. It’s fine. Anyway, party planning makes me happy. So, let me know if you need anything else for Monday.”
“What’s happening Monday?” Campbell asked, suddenly appearing at Blaire’s side and sliding an arm around her waist.
She giggled and turned into him. He pressed a kiss firmly to her lips. A good distraction. And I was happy for them, happy to see both of my brothers happy. I wanted that for them. I wanted it for me, too.
“Don’t change the subject,” he said against her lips.
“You kissed me,” she teased.
“Get a room,” Piper grumbled.
Campbell winked at her.
He asked his wife another question, but my phone dinged in my pocket. I pulled it out, planning to silence it. Then, I saw the name on the screen, and my stomach dropped out of my body.
August.
I swallowed and swiped on the message.
Hey, can we meet? Tamara told me that she came to see you, and I just need to apologize.
I shouldn’t respond. He’d been messaging me on and off since we broke up. At first, I’d answer his messages, and we’d text for days before I got mad all over again. I was sure Tamara had no idea that he’d done that. But eventually, I’d refused to answer. It hadn’t made it any easier because the messages still came.
We shouldn’t meet.
Nora, please…
No. It’s a bad idea. I don’t need an apology.
Which was a lie. I wanted one desperately. I wanted it to all go back to how it had been. Even though it was impossible.
No, but you deserve one. What happened…fuck, Nora, please let me do this in person. It won’t be right through text. You know it won’t. And you deserve better from me.
I closed my eyes against those words. Ones I’d wanted so bad earlier. And yet they were always going to be false.