by Ellie Wade
“That’s so sad,” I say.
“It is. They moved to these horrible, cheap apartments in Ypsilanti. I knew it wasn’t a good area, but Natalie was a grown woman. I couldn’t tell her what to do. I didn’t realize at the time that her addiction had moved beyond pills. I still thought she was in control. She pushed us away. I tried to stay in her and Wyatt’s lives, but she made it clear she didn’t want Earl or me around. We saw them less and less until we didn’t see them at all.”
A tear falls down Ethel’s cheek. “I feel horrible because I didn’t know how bad it was for him. I was clueless. I never thought she’d let it get that bad. He had a really hard childhood, one that no little boy should have to go through. I blame myself. I should’ve forced myself into their lives. I should’ve realized her behavior was due to the drugs. I should’ve gotten her help. I didn’t know.”
“Ethel, of course you didn’t. It’s not your fault.”
“Wyatt tells me the same, but I don’t believe it. I should’ve helped him. I was all he had, and I didn’t know. I failed him.” She holds the napkin to her eyes.
Shame for wanting to pry into Wyatt’s past takes hold. I wanted to know details, but I didn’t want to make Ethel cry at her birthday dinner.
“I’m so sorry,” I tell her.
She takes a deep breath. “When I got news of his mother’s passing, I went to find him. But his apartment was empty. He was gone. I’d naively hoped he was off at college or on another adventure. I didn’t know at the time how bad things had been, so I assumed he was off, living the life an eighteen-year-old should.
“Then, the following spring, I was walking through Ann Arbor, window-shopping. I remember the day so clearly because it was the first day we’d had sunshine in over a month. It had been a long and brutal winter. I passed a homeless man and his brindle dog on the street. I stopped to give him some money, and when I looked into his eyes, I gasped. His eyes are so distinct, so blue…they gave him away. I knew it was him. I dropped to my knees, and I hugged him as I cried. I told him how very sorry I was that I didn’t find him sooner. I took him and Cooper home with me that very second, and I haven’t let him out of my sight since.”
“He still lives with you?”
“No, he’s gotten his own place since, but as much as we’re at the shelter, we practically live together.”
A smile returns to her face, and I’m glad. I much prefer her laughter to her tears.
I’m a horrible person for prying.
I pull the gift from beside me and hand it to her. “I know it’s not the end of dinner yet, but do you want to open your present now?” I ask her, a wide smile across my face.
“Wow, Georgia. You didn’t have to get me anything. That’s so sweet.”
I clasp my hands together in front of my chest, so eager for her to see her present. She pulls the shirt out of the bag and starts laughing, the wonderful sound erupting from deep down, lighting up the room.
“Do you love it?” I clap.
“Oh, darling. Yes, I love it.”
She holds the pink shirt out in front of her. The front has a tabby cat wearing a wizard’s hat, riding a dog through a forest where all of the trees are lush with glittery hot-pink leaves. The cat is lifting one paw in which it holds a cup of coffee. The image makes no sense whatsoever, and that’s why it’s completely brilliant.
“What in the hell is that?” Wyatt’s gruff voice asks from behind me.
“Isn’t it great?” I grin.
He shakes his head with a roll of his eyes and sits in one of the empty chairs at the table.
“You’re late,” I tell him.
“I was busy.”
“Well, I’m just glad you’re here.” Ethel taps the top of his hand with hers.
Our pasta dishes arrive, and the waiter sets them in front of us.
“Would you like to order anything, sir?” he asks Wyatt.
“No. Actually, can we get these wrapped up and get the check, please?” Wyatt asks.
The server looks momentarily confused but nods and leaves us.
“What the heck, Wyatt? This is Ethel’s birthday dinner. We’re not leaving until we’re ready.” I glare at him.
“I’m sorry, E. There was an emergency rescue, and I actually came here because I need your help. Do you mind?” He looks to Ethel.
“Yes, she minds!” I scoff. “There’re always emergencies at the rescue. You can’t deal with it for an hour without her, so she can have a nice meal?”
“It’s okay, Georgia. Honestly, the salad and bread did fill me up. I don’t mind taking my meal for later. As you said, it will be better tomorrow.”
“I know.” I look to her. “But that’s not the point. You don’t have to leave just because he beckons you. You deserve a break.”
The server stands beside us with two to-go boxes atop a stand. He takes Ethel’s dish and begins emptying it into the container. We’re all silent as he repeats the steps with my meal. I’m so angry that I don’t even know what to say or do.
How dare Wyatt!
The waiter gives the bill to Wyatt.
I snatch it out of his hand. “I don’t think so. You might be ruining her birthday dinner, but you’re not paying for it,” I huff out and hand the server my credit card.
“It’s really okay, Georgia. I had a wonderful dinner. It was really special,” Ethel tells me with a warm smile.
I give her a weak grin in response.
As we walk out of the restaurant, our dinner in hand, Wyatt says, “You know there’s a lot of work to be done, dealing with the emergency. We could also use your help back at the shelter.”
I scowl. “You’ve got a lot of nerve.”
He shrugs and opens his passenger door before helping Ethel up. “All right, fine. We’ll manage without you.”
“I’ll be there,” I grumble before turning to head to my car, but not before I swear, I see Wyatt crack a smile.
I follow Wyatt’s truck the few miles to Cooper’s Place. When we pull up, I’m shocked that the entire parking lot is full of cars.
What kind of emergency is this?
There are more vehicles than I’ve ever seen here.
I follow Wyatt and Ethel indoors, and we’re practically blown away with an enormously loud, “Surprise!”
The place is decked out in everything pink and cats. There are probably fifty helium cat-head balloons accompanied by a hundred pink ones floating around the space. There’s a cotton candy machine. Fair food carts are stationed around the open space, all with a feline-related sign. The elephant ears sign is covered up with glittery magenta letters that read, Cinnamon and Sugar Kitten Paws.
I walk around, taking it all in. Most of the dogs are out of their kennels, and they’re each wearing a pink boa around their neck. They look so cute and happy. Their tongues hang out as they get loved on by the guests. There’s a huge cake with pink frosting that’s adorned with a large cat picture.
The snacks at the food table all have fun names. The party mix is labeled Cat Food. The bowl of chocolates is labeled Kitty Litter. All of the presents at the gift table are packaged in some sort of cat-themed paper or bag.
This is honestly the most detailed, coolest surprise party I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe Wyatt was behind it. I watch as Ethel continues to make her way around the room, hugging all of her guests. Her face is wet with tears, but she looks so happy.
I feel my eyes fill with tears, just watching her, and my heart is full of happiness. There’s a whimper at my feet. I look down to find Mila with a pink bow around her neck. She looks adorable.
I pick her up and hold her to me. “Hey, Mila. You are so cute.” I kiss her head.
“I was just looking for her.” Wyatt’s beside me now. “I told the guys to let the dogs out, but I didn’t mean the puppies. I’m afraid they’ll get stepped on. Plus, this has to be overwhelming for them.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “You did all this?”
“I guess. I mean,
I hired a party planner. She did most of it.”
“Who are all of these people?”
“Some of them are old friends of hers from her nursing days. Some are people who’ve adopted our dogs that we’ve stayed close with. Also, past employees and volunteers.”
I shake my head in awe. “This is really something special, Wyatt. So nice.”
“You’ve changed your tune since the restaurant, I see.” He smirks.
“Well, I didn’t know. You didn’t tell me.”
“Did you think that I’d let Ethel’s seventieth birthday pass without celebrating it?”
“Honestly, I don’t know with you. You’re so hard to figure out. I wish you had told me. I wouldn’t have been such a jerk at the restaurant.”
“Nah. You taking E out to dinner worked great. It gave us time to set up. And your reaction made it so that she didn’t suspect anything.”
Wyatt has a smile on his face as he watches Ethel. It’s so rare to see him smile, and I’d be lying if I said that he’s not absolutely gorgeous when he does.
“You should smile more. It’s a good look for you,” I tell him.
The grin drops from his face. “I’m not a smiling type of person.”
“Exactly what type of a person are you? I mean, you walk around here, all grumpy and mean. You act like you don’t like anyone. Yet you save helpless animals for a living. You hand out supplies to the homeless. And you throw the coolest surprise party I’ve ever seen for one of your employees. It doesn’t add up.”
“Ethel isn’t just an employee,” is his response.
“I know.” I think back to the way she spoke of him at dinner. “She really loves you.”
“Yeah, well, I’m a hard one to love. Just another reason she deserves a party.” His gaze darts to mine. “Just put the puppy away when you’re done holding her,” he tells me before walking off.
As he strolls away, I find myself wanting to follow him. Why do I want to chase after someone who’s made it clear he doesn’t like me? I hate that I feel this pull toward him, but more than that, I can’t stand the fact that he hates me, and I don’t even know why.
11
Seventeen Years Old
“Georgia’s beauty is more than skin deep, and I think that’s what I love about her the most.”—Wyatt Gates
Her lips are everything I dreamed they’d be—soft, full, and irresistible. She threads her fingers through my hair, pulling me closer to her, and it takes everything I have not to back her into that wall and explore every inch of her.
Georgia Wright is the epitome of perfection. She’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe that I found her here, in this horrible place. She doesn’t belong within these walls with the stuck-up assholes. She’s kind and sweet. Georgia’s beauty is more than skin deep, and I think that’s what I love about her the most.
She doesn’t see me as the poor kid from Ypsilanti. She sees me for me. She might be the only one here who does. I expect the stuck-up rich kids to treat me differently, but even the teachers look at me with an air of…pity or maybe shame? I’m the charity case with the drug-addicted mother.
Georgia moans softly into my mouth as her tongue dances with mine.
Holy shit.
It takes all the willpower I have, but I pull my lips from hers. As I lean my forehead against hers, we both catch our breath.
I hate that I have to leave Georgia to go to work. I’m walking away from her gorgeous lips to go flip greasy burgers. Sometimes, life’s really not fair.
“I have to go,” I say, remorse weighing heavy on me.
God, I want to stay here and kiss her. Better yet, I want to take her somewhere private and kiss her more.
“Okay,” she whispers.
I step back, tucking a piece of her blonde hair behind her ear. “Can I see you this weekend?”
Her eyes light up at my question. “I’d love that. Yes.”
“Do you know where Gallop Park is?”
She nods.
“I can meet you there at six. At the bench beneath the overpass by the river, at the far entrance. Do you know where that is?”
“I do,” she answers.
“Okay then, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I smile, still unable to believe that I finally kissed Georgia.
“Six o’clock,” she says.
“Six o’clock.” I squeeze her hand before opening the study room door and walking out.
My smile is short-lived. Halfway across the library, I’m met by two of the biggest douches in school.
“You realize that the study rooms are surrounded by windows? What, didn’t feel like taking her home to the ghetto to make out?” Kevin says.
His loyal follower, Dwight, laughs.
I don’t have time to deal with them. I walk out of the library and turn down the hall. Their annoying footsteps follow me.
Just go away.
“You got it on video, right?” Kevin says to Dwight.
“Sure did,” Dwight’s squeaky voice replies.
I wonder if he’s ever going to hit puberty.
“Good, because Beckett owes Georgia a hundred bucks. He’s never going to believe it without the video.”
The hopeful excitement that danced around in my belly just moments ago is replaced with bile threatening to come up.
I stop and jerk around. “What are you talking about?”
Kevin’s eyes go wide in mock concern. “Did Georgia not tell you about the bet?” He holds up his hands. “Wait, please tell me you didn’t think she actually liked you, did you?”
He’s an asshole, and my better judgment tells me to ignore him and just walk away. But I don’t.
“What bet?” I ask through clenched teeth, my head starting to spin.
“Last weekend at Beck’s, Georgia said that she could get you to do anything for her.” He looks to Dwight. “Didn’t she say something about having Wyatt wrapped around her finger?”
Dwight nods. “Something like that.”
Kevin shrugs. “Yeah, so anyway, Beck said that he didn’t believe her, and she bet him a Benjamin that she could get you to kiss her this week. I know you’ve probably never seen one, so I should clarify. A Benjamin is another name for a hundred dollars because Benjamin Franklin is on the hundred-dollar bill.”
“Fuck off. Like I’d believe anything you say.” I turn to leave.
I think of Georgia, a popular girl from a very rich family, and realize that I’m everything she’s not. I don’t care about any of that stuff. I’d want her regardless of her status, but I’m smart enough to know that, to many, it does matter, that all that shit matters. I just didn’t think it was important to her.
“Whatever. Believe what you want. I don’t like you, man, but I also don’t want to see Georgia make a complete fool of you either. I mean…think about it,” Kevin says.
Turning back, I glare toward the two of them.
“Why did she tell us to hang out at the library and have our phones ready to record? Do you normally see us in the library? No, it’s not our scene, man.” Kevin looks to Dwight and then back to me. “You can’t honestly think a girl like Georgia would be into white trash like you, can you? You know how rich she is, right? Her daddy, for one, would never let that fly.”
Kevin laughs, and I have an overwhelming desire to punch that cocky grin off his pampered face.
I stand, scowling at the two of them. My thoughts are all over the place.
Kevin shrugs. “Whatever. Believe what you want. Can’t fix stupid.” He playfully punches Dwight’s shoulder, and the two of them turn to leave.
“Let me see the video,” I say.
Kevin lifts an eyebrow and grabs his phone from his back pocket. He holds the phone out to me, and I see Georgia and I kissing through the glass of the study room door.
“But, you know, Dwight and I always randomly hang in the library with our phones on record, right?” The sarcasm drips from his words.
“Delete it,” I warn.<
br />
“But Georgia needs it to get her—”
I cut him off, “I said, fucking delete it.” I step toward him, pulling my shoulders back.
He holds his hands up in surrender. “Fine. Whatever. I’ll just tell her I was too late to catch the kiss.” He shrugs and deletes the video. “It’s not like she needs another hundred anyway, but you really should be careful of who you trust. I get that you’re not the brightest, but come on, Gates.”
“Walk away before I punch you both the fuck out,” I advise through clenched teeth.
Kevin and Dwight laugh.
“Nah, you wouldn’t do that.” Kevin grins smugly. “You’d lose your scholarship and be forced to go to the poor-ass school in your neighborhood. I mean, you’d be trash either way, but at least here, you’re trash with a somewhat decent education. Maybe it will count for something?”
Dwight laughs, and he sounds like a girl.
They’re not worth it.
No one in this fucking place is worth it.
Especially her.
And now, I’m late for work.
12
“Georgia makes it impossible to hate her. She’s incredibly annoying in that way.” —Wyatt Gates
“I don’t think so, buddy,” I say to Cooper as he buries himself back under the comforter. He’s so spoiled, always insisting that he sleeps under the covers. “Bedtime is over. We’re going for a run.”
I pull the blanket back off of him. Cooper grumbles and shoves his face under the corner of the comforter.
“Come on, Coops.”
He remains still.
“Right, you’re completely invisible now. I can’t see you at all.”
I laugh at my big guy. He looks so pathetic, lying on the bed with just his snout and eyes covered up. I think it’s hilarious how he thinks he’s hidden just because he can’t see me.
“Let’s go, boy. I can see you, by the way. You’re not fooling anyone.”