Wes also kisses Nico just because he can, as a boyfriend.
It’s become Wes’s favorite word. Boyfriend. He’s made a list of ways to say it in other languages.
“How’s the job?” Nico asks quietly.
“Ugh.”
After an entire year and probably too much debt amassed, Wes is taking a gap year from UCLA. It wasn’t that he failed. He just wasn’t ready. Both his parents assured him that was okay. Leo did too.
Wes has moved back into the loft. He has a summer job working at his dad’s Santa Monica restaurant. Waiter. Busboy. Assisting in the kitchen. Whatever Calvin needs. It’s at least earning him gas money—Leo gave him his old car in exchange for promising to help plan Leeann’s baby shower when the time comes—and an opportunity to think.
It’s the universe’s gift to Wes—a chance to figure himself out without any distractions.
Leaving Ella was hard, but they’ve adjusted.
“The worst thing you could do in this life is live it without ever knowing who you are,” she said.
Wes thinks she stole that from her therapist.
“Has anyone been by the new shop since…” Zay trails off.
Around the table, everyone shares looks—sad, confused, and indifferent ones. This is one thing they don’t talk about.
Wes shrugs, then says, “I’ve visited Lucas a few times.”
Cooper nods. “We hang out there all the time after school, before their shift.”
“I got an iced coffee the other day,” Anna says. “Horrible.”
“Told you,” Kyra says smugly.
“Their book selections need work. They’re showcasing the wrong stuff,” Ella huffs.
Wes side-eyes her. He knows Lucas only has a small voice in what’s featured in Mrs. Rossi’s Book Corner, but they’re trying. Secretly, he’s certain Ella just wants a summer job bossing around young baristas and pissing off entitled customers. The usual.
But this is nice too. They’re not tiptoeing around the fact that Once Upon a Page is gone. Their second home has been turned into a luxury apartment building with all the amenities and none of the heart that made the bookstore the soul of this community. But they’re letting go.
“I heard there’s a new indie bookshop opening up a few blocks away,” Anna mentions.
Wes knows. He’s already put in an online application. So he’s mostly learned to let things go. But he loved life in a bookstore. He loves the things it gave him and the things he was able to give in return.
Zay raises his water. “To Mrs. Rossi.”
It’s quiet for a moment. They’re all accepting that Once Upon a Page’s not the only thing that’s gone.
Wes stares resolutely at the Formica table. It’s only been five months since the funeral, but it still aches like yesterday. Wes now owns two suits. He’ll never wear either of them again. But he made it through the beautiful ceremony. He sat next to Mr. Rossi, holding his hand. He fought back tears, but only until Nico cornered him before the burial.
“It’s not her. Her hair’s not pink,” he whimpered into Nico’s shoulder. “They didn’t even give her that.”
She died in her sleep. She died living the last of her days reading, sitting in the sun, and being with her husband.
Wes clears his throat, then lifts his glass. “To Patty Rossi,” he finally says. “She changed our lives.”
Ella adds, softly, “She was a fighter.”
They clink their glasses. Anna sniffles into a napkin. Nico drags his knuckles across his puffy, wet eyes. It’s surreal. They’re toasting Mrs. Rossi and the bookstore and all the things they can’t take with them. Except the memories.
Wes will never leave those behind.
Constantine returns, brooding, but Wes now knows it’s only for show. Constantine and Ella are posers. One day, he’ll call them on their bullshit. “I put in an order for two pepperonis, a Hawaiian, and a veggie,” he announces. “And a pitcher of Coke. Anything else?”
“The complimentary breadsticks,” Ella reminds him.
Constantine stomps away, offering their table a one-fingered salute.
Wes yawns. It’s almost eleven o’clock on a Saturday, and he’s exhausted. Is this adulthood? Is this what he has to look forward to? In bed before midnight on a weekend? This is a tragedy.
He rests his head on Nico’s shoulder. A dry kiss is pressed to his temple.
Across the table, Cooper hums something. It’s familiar. It’s also terrible.
“Coop.” Wes’s face wrinkles. “No. I’m embarrassed for you.”
“What? Come on,” Cooper tries to argue, but Wes is not having it.
“You have shamed your family,” Wes accuses teasingly. “Semisonic? Gross.”
“It’s a classic,” Cooper insists. The pizzeria’s speakers hum to life as “Closing Time” fills in all the spaces between the empty tables and forgotten pitchers of beer and the heavy scent of baking bread.
Wes rolls his eyes, beaming. “Ohmygod, Canceled, dude.”
They all laugh. And Wes breathes easy, adding one more item to his list of things he loves most about Santa Monica.
THE END.
Acknowledgments
This book wouldn’t be possible without so many amazing people who encouraged me along the way.
My deepest gratitude to:
Annie Harper, my continuous cheerleader, the world’s greatest editor, who had way too much faith in me tearing this book apart and stitching it back together again. When I didn’t believe, you did.
C.B. Messer, all-star cover designer and my real-life Kyra. You’re an inspiration. I love our talks and laughs and inability to take compliments.
Candysse Miller, idea wizard and coolest foodie. I love your fearlessness. I hope I did California some justice in this one. Tacos on me next time!
Nicki Harper, copyeditor supreme. I’m so grateful for your knowledge and for continuously pushing me to grow. I’ve had some hilarious Google searches thanks to you.
To all the incredible people who read, supported, and help make this book into what it is: My “lost in the city” friend, Jude Sierra. No more planes, trains, and automobiles for us! Lilah Suzanne, F.T. Lukens, Daniela “DB” Bailey, Tiffany Chapman.
To all the Interlude Press authors—I love the stories you’ve created and the lives you’ve changed.
Thao Le, agent with a vision and a mission. You make me excited to be a writer and a geek. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Becky Albertalli, my rock and French Toast buddy: I’m so thankful for your love and enthusiasm. Like, beyond grateful.
Nic Stone, the MVP of sneakers, deadlines, and realness: Thank you for your care, honesty, and overall dopeness.
Adib Khorram, my nerdy friend and confidant: I look forward to more tea, D&D, and smiles with you. Lots more.
C.B. Lee, my calm in the storm: You’re such a shining star. Can’t wait for you and your millions of ideas to take over the world.
To the countless friends I’ve made and who have held me up when I couldn’t stand: Patrice Caldwell, Adam Silvera, Mark Oshiro, Roshani Chokshi, Dahlia Adler, Adam Sass, Kacen Callendar, Alex London, Angie Thomas, Eric Smith, Tiffany D. Jackson, Karen Strong, Natalie C. Parker, Simon James Green, Cale Dietrich, Camryn Garrett, Phil Stamper, Natasha Ngan, Tom Ryan, L.C. Rosen, Caleb Roehrig, Laura Stone, Natasha Ngan, Sabina Khan, Mason Deaver, Sandhya Menon, Brandy Colbert, Ashley Poston, Lamar Giles, Zoraida Córdova, Dhonielle Clayton, Kimberly Jones, Gilly Segal, Sierra Elmore, Katherine Locke, Justin A. Reynolds, David Arnold, Aiden Thomas, Kelly Loy Gilbert, Kiersten White, Sarah Enni, DJ DeSmyter, Saundra Mitchell, Laura Silverman, Kat Cho, Claribel A. Ortega, Ben Philippe, Katie Zhao, Ryan La Sala, Randy Ribay, Roselle Lim, Ray Stoeve, Rachel Strolle, Jennifer Dugan, Rachael Allen, Vania Stoyanova, and so, so many more.
&nbs
p; To every independent bookstore that has welcomed me and to the ones I haven’t visited yet: thank you for making a place for my books on your shelves. To the Atlanta indie bookstores—Little Shop of Stories, Charis Books & More, Brave and Kind Books, Read It Again, and many more—you’re the heart and soul of our communities. Thank you for existing.
To the librarians, teachers, educators, bloggers, vloggers, bookstagrammers, podcasters, artists, agents, and publishing professionals who have uplifted me.
My family and friends, especially Mom, Sonya, Tamir, Tamica, Angela, Ahmad, Jason, and Tony—thanks for dealing with my constant disappearing acts. My nephews (Zeke, Daniel, Malachi) and niece (Jael)—you are my constant motivation.
To Santa Monica: You inspired me in ways I’ll never forget. Stay beautiful.
To every reader who picked up one of my books, contacted me, shouted about them, made the coolest aesthetic posts, and made the most beautiful art: Let’s continue this journey together. We decide what our future looks like.
About the Author
Julian Winters is a bestselling and award-winning author of contemporary young adult fiction. His novels Running with Lions and How to Be Remy Cameron (Duet, 2018 and 2019 respectively) received accolades for their positive depictions of diverse, relatable characters. Running with Lions is the recipient of an IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold Award. How to Be Remy Cameron was named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection and received a starred review from School Library Journal.
A former management trainer, Julian currently lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia, where he can be found reading, being a self-proclaimed comic book geek, or watching the only two sports he can follow—volleyball and soccer. The Summer of Everything will be followed by his fourth novel, Right Where I Left You, from Viking Children’s/Penguin in 2022.
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How to Be Remy Cameron
Everyone on campus knows Remy Cameron. He’s the out-and-proud, super-likable guy who friends, faculty, and fellow students alike admire for his cheerful confidence. The only person who isn’t entirely sure about Remy Cameron is Remy himself. Under pressure to write an A+ essay defining who he is and who he wants to be, Remy embarks on an emotional journey toward reconciling the outward labels people attach to him with the real Remy Cameron within.
From the author of the bestselling novel Running With Lions, a story about overcoming the labels that try to define our lives.
ISBN (print) 978-1-945053-80-1 | (eBook) 978-1-945053-81-8
Running with Lions
IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold Award Winner
Bloomington High School Lions’ star goalie Sebastian Hughes should be excited about his senior year: His teammates are amazing, and he’s got a coach who doesn’t ask anyone to hide their sexuality. But when his estranged childhood-best-friend Emir Shah shows up at summer training camp, Sebastian realizes the team’s success may end up in the hands of the one guy who hates him. Determined to reconnect with Emir for the sake of the Lions, he sets out to regain Emir’s trust. But to Sebastian’s surprise, sweaty days on the pitch, wandering the town’s streets, and bonding on the weekends spark more than just friendship between them.
ISBN (print) 978-1-945053-62-7 | (eBook) 978-1-945053-63-4
The Summer of Everything Page 27