Jay works his jaw from side to side. “I guess I was just prepared to think the worst. I always knew you had a thing for her.” He’s talking to me this time, his gaze laser-focused on me. “You were never good at hiding your emotions. No clue how it got past Lyla, but it didn’t get past me. Donnie talked to me the day before you did. I blew it off because you would never do that to Ly. But then you mentioned prom…and I lost it. I spent most of my life trying to keep boys away from her and, of course, my best friend had to fall. You finally admitted it and I couldn’t handle the thought of you two together.” He shrugs, resting an elbow on his knee. “I guess I overreacted. But I still don’t approve of you two dating.”
“That’s not for you to decide.” Lyla grabs my shoulder and squeezes. “I’m eighteen and although I appreciate this big brother routine, it’s time you back off. Deal with your own relationship drama before you insert yourself in mine.”
Jay’s jaw clenches as he glances away. “I guess if Mom finds out you two are dating, she might not be as mad at me…”
“Nice try,” Lyla laughs. “You are one-hundred-percent telling her first. Besides…I don’t know if I even have a boyfriend anymore since my bullheaded brother stuck his nose in my business.” She peers down at me with eyebrows raised in a silent question.
It’s a question I want to say yes to, but our lives are going in such different directions at the moment I’m scared in the end we’ll just hurt each other. For the time being, I’m stuck here taking care of my mom. Lyla hasn’t even told me where she plans to go to college. And how will she feel dating a townie while all her friends are out having fun and experiencing college life?
“Let’s talk?” I motion toward the front door.
She nods. “Stay.” She points a finger at Jay, then Scarlett. “And don’t try anything funny. He has a secret girlfriend.”
“Ly!” Jay shouts as Scarlett giggles.
Lyla tugs on my arm, pulling me outside into the warm pre-dusk air. “So…”
“So.”
“I wish you told me all this when I asked at camp. It might have prevented some unnecessary drama.”
I shrug. “I didn’t know all the gritty details. Plus, Jay and you have a close dynamic. If I told you he was the one who wanted me to move out of state it would have upset you. I didn’t want you to blame him.”
“I mean, I blame Donnie. But Jay is—”
“Jay.”
He’s the most stubborn person I’ve ever met. Once something is in his head, it’s hard to get him to change his mind.
“Well, it’s all out in the open now. So, I guess the only question is if you’re still willing to give us a try. A real one this time.”
“Lyla.” I grab her hands, giving them a squeeze. “There’s nothing more I would ever want. But you’re still in high school and I’m going to be here, finishing my degree at UCLA and acting as nurse to my mom. Are you really going to be happy only getting my spare time?”
“Listen, I like you, Shane. I think I always have, but I threw that thought in a dark corner of my mind and locked it up because I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. We’ve already gone down that road now. I’ve experienced life without you and it kinda sucked.”
“What about Jay?”
“He’ll get used to it. Besides, he will be so busy with my mom down his throat after he tells her about his secret girlfriend, he won’t have time to focus on me.”
“Secret girlfriend, huh?” I throw an arm around her shoulder, tucking her to my side. “Bet that ends in disaster.”
“Or maybe it will end up being the best relationship of his life.” When she glances up at me, I get the feeling we’re no longer talking about Jay.
It’s a lot of pressure to live up to this perfect idea of a relationship—one Lyla has never experienced thanks to Jay and me. But as I peer down at her, I know I’m willing to at least try.
So, I do what I should have done all those years ago, and lean down, planting a soft kiss on her lips. She sighs, pulling me closer and I give in, deepening the kiss.
Somewhere in the background Jay shouts about ripping off my nuts and Scarlett laughs, telling him to shut up, but neither of us pays any attention. I pull her closer, threading my fingers through her long blond curls and make a promise to myself that I’ll give this everything I have. No fear. No reservations.
With the most beautiful summer sunset as our backdrop, I let go of my doubts and kiss the girl of my dreams.
It only took us fourteen years to get here, but we have a lifetime to make up for lost time.
With the sealed letter clasped in my shaking hands, I race up the porch steps and knock on the front door of Shane’s house.
Ms. Novak answers with a giant grin. “Lyla. So good to see you.” She pulls me in for a hug, surprising me with the strength in the way she squeezes.
It took half a year, but the doctors figured out the right combo of medications. In the past month she started working part-time and even takes a group exercise class at the gym twice a week. There’s still driving restrictions to deal with, but I have no issues volunteering when I’m free.
“Is Shane here?” I ask when she lets me go.
“Out back, prepping the grill.” She glances at my hands. “Is it here?”
“Yup. Came right over. I couldn’t wait.”
“Well, go on back.” She steps out of the way and I race through the house, almost knocking over a lamp in my haste.
Shane’s eyes light up the second I step outside. I take a moment to admire the way he looks in a tight black T-shirt and cargo shorts before I launch myself into his arms.
“Hey,” he laughs, holding me up.
“Ew,” Jay grumbles from the table.
Dang. I was so concerned with the letter in my hand I didn’t notice him sitting there. This is probably the hundredth no PDA strike since spring break began. But hey, I have to watch him make out with his girlfriend almost every day so he can shut up about a hug.
Jay and Shane have patched up their friendship for the most part. I swear it took me almost knocking them over the heads before they admitted they were just being stubborn. It’s been bumpy, especially since Shane and I are still going strong, but I give it until Christmas before they are where they used to be.
“It’s here!” I shout.
Shane sets me down and snags the envelope. “Did you open it?”
“No. I came right over here.”
“Sure Mom will be happy about that,” Jay grumbles into his cup of lemonade.
“Shut up and go do something in the kitchen.”
He takes the not-so-subtle hint, leaving Shane and me alone on the back patio. “Do you want to open it?” I ask.
“No, you do it. I’m too nervous.” He shoves the envelope back into my hands and I waste no time tearing into the paper.
As my eyes scan over the writing, I try to calm my heart rate. Once I decided where I wanted to go to college, Shane and I started making so many plans. Where we’ll live. How to spend our free time. Everything rides on this one letter.
I squeal and start jumping up and down when I read the words I’ve been dreaming about since applying. “I’m in!”