by Maya Riley
A hand at my back had me turning to see Pete, and he smiled at me and I smiled back. We’d beaten all the odds and despite the challenges along the way, we’d all done it together. We’d conquered the world.
He placed a kiss on my lips and stepped back, letting me enjoy this moment. This memory. This lifelong goal.
Dirt clung to my knees as I knelt down on the ground and clawed at an area of soft soil in the midst of the blue thorns. Reaching up, I unclasped Clif’s locket from around my neck and held it in my hand, looking at it for one last time. I placed a kiss to the warm metal before laying it down in the hole with a whispered prayer. Clif finally made it here, and it was where he was going to stay. I covered the locket and sealed the dirt with a tear.
Sounds alerted me to the next round of climbers, and soon Dave, Stan, and Carrie were joining us as well. Every last one of us had made it, and I stood back up with a growing grin.
Pete took out a lighter and lit a single candle on the cake. “You did it. You made it to the top of the Carbolitas, and on your twenty-fifth birthday. Just like you’d always said you would.”
A chorus of eleven people singing “Happy Birthday” rang out. The collective sounds melded together and echoed across the Carbolitas for all to hear.
Once they were done, Pete said softly, “Time to make a wish and blow out your candle.”
I couldn’t think of anything more I could possibly want. My hopes, dreams, and expectations had already come true and been surpassed. The only thing I’d ever want more of was them.
Closing my eyes, I made a wish, and blew out the candle.
Carson picked a blue thorn flower and stuck it in my hair behind my ear.
“So, what do you do when all your dreams come true?” Ryan asked.
I clutched the locket around my neck, my thumb grazing over the engraving. We did it together. We made it to where the blue thorns grow. The biggest smile crossed my face. “All thirteen of us.”
The End
My absolutely amazing betas. This book wouldn’t be what it is without you.
My arcs: Thank you for your encouragement and positivity to help keep me going.
My husband: for being supportive and letting me drink all the drinks and eat all the Cheetos it took to get this book out.
Diana: For being an amazing friend for all these years and supporting every crazy idea I come up with. Thank you for joining me on this journey.
My fb sister for being the great and inspirational person that she is. She’s an amazing human being who writes phenomenal words and I hope to someday be even half as good as her: Aspen Marks
A few of the other amazing people who helped me along the way. Whether it was reading a part of my story, reading the full story, or giving advice on how to do this authoring thing, I don’t know where I’d be without them: Loxley, Scarlett, Erica, Serena, Blake, Lana, Candice, Bo, and Jenica (my very own Maya Enthusiast).
About the Author
Maya Riley enjoys coffee, long walks on the beach, a little hair pulling and—oh… let’s start over.
Currently living in the South with her husband and personality-filled turtle, Maya has been experiencing the journey of good ole Southern cuisine, humid summers, and sassy idioms. While she can’t handle sweet tea, she more than makes up for it with her obsessive coffee consumption. When Maya is not writing or occupied by any of the millions of hobbies she has, she’s working on her fixer-upper home, laying by the pool—or in the pool, most likely with a margarita or a floating wine glass—or plotting world domination.
To keep up-to-date on releases, teasers for upcoming projects, and all-around craziness, join her reading group—Maya’s Maniacs – A Maya Riley Reading Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2415447991820445/
You can also find information on Maya and her works at www.mayariley.com
According to Poppy Woods, I’m a God Girl.