She picks up her phone and a flash of pain travels through me. I forgot about this — her inability to keep attention for one conversation.
“You know that’s rude, right?” My voice isn’t angry or upset, it’s like hers — tired and sad. She looks at me in confusion. “Texting. While we’re having a conversation. You do it all the time.”
Her eyebrows shoot up and she places her phone to the side.
I breathe a small sigh of relief. I would’ve preferred to have the full day tomorrow to rehearse what I want to say. But, after tonight’s dinner with Noah’s happy family, my feelings are fresh and raw. It’s a small improvisation to express feelings I’ve had for a long time. “Kate, sit down. I have some things to tell you.”
And for the first time, I have a real, adult conversation with my mother. In our family room where she ‘ruined’ my summer months ago, I express everything I’ve felt for years — the pain and anger and sadness. I tell her how much it hurts to be called ‘reckless’ and ‘irresponsible’. And I tell her that love isn’t overrated, because I’ve found love with Noah.
It feels like hours have gone by when I reach the end of my speech. It was surprisingly eloquent for not being practiced, but my words were genuine. To my utter surprise, my mom doesn’t glance at her phone once. She doesn’t open her mouth or argue. She listens.
“Aubrey,” she finally whispers and something deep stirs in my soul. “I’m… I’m so sorry.”
She drops her head and stares down at her hands. I have no clue what to do. I’m picking at my fingernails. This is a highly unusual interaction for us.
“I didn’t intend…” She starts, and then tries again. “I didn’t mean…”
She sighs deeply and then looks at me. For the first time, I see my mother as a person. She’s no longer my overbearing, bullying mom. She’s just a woman, confused and uncertain herself. “I respect you for bringing this to me. I know you’ve felt this way for a long time. There was always a gap between us, something separating us. I didn’t know how to fix it, and apparently I made it worse.”
I blink.
She continues. “I’m sorry for making you feel this way. I guess I only ever saw you one way and never spent time getting to know every side of who you are. With the Inns and everything, I forgot what truly mattered. It’s not an excuse, by any means.”
Her eyes are turquoise, like mine, but hers are lined with soft makeup. They glisten.
“Your words strike home on several levels,” she says quietly. “The truth is, those are the very words my mother used to describe me.”
What?!
“Bree, I was very much like you and my mom used to say the same things to me. I must’ve internalized her words and then made you feel the same way I used to feel.”
This is too much. My mom was ‘wild’ like me?
“Really?” I croak, my throat dry. “You?”
“The things I used to get myself into...” My mom has a half-smile and she seems lost in some distant memory. All of a sudden, she looks really young. “Did you know I took Delia for her first skydive? She became obsessed with it. Though of course, I had to stop…”
She glances at my dad and a flash of sadness crosses her face. Wait a minute. Was my dad her Andrew Stewart?
“I wouldn’t blame you if you could never forgive me.” She reaches for my hands. “But I would love to get to know the real you, the real Bree. What do you think?”
Her words cover me like warm water and my shoulders relax down my back. Is this real? Is any of this happening right now? Years of anxiety, anger and grief have piled up so high within me that I’m not sure I can ever tear my walls down for her. But I want to try.
“We’ll see. Mom.”
I offer her the smallest smile, but perhaps the first genuine smile I’ve given her in years. Her palms are warm around mine and she smiles wide. For the first time ever, I feel like my mom is seeing me.
Spontaneously, I lean forward and wrap my arms around her. I give her the hug I always wanted to receive from her, and she wraps her arms around me in response. We stay there for a long while, clasped around each other, and I finally start feeling at home.
66
Bree
“That was a pretty hefty conversation you had with Mom and Dad this morning.” Isla takes her lip chap out of her bag before lowering the air conditioning. Garth is suddenly filled with the scent of blue raspberry.
I sigh and tug on the elastic on my wrist. “Hefty, but necessary.”
“At least you told them. Finally.” She giggles and then bolts out of the car, off to school.
“Have a great day, La.” I say and she slams the door shut. Through the open window, I say, “You know I’m always here for you right?”
Isla gives me a wink. “Ditto.”
She heads towards school, ready to start the next semester with a bang. I smile and watch her go. I can’t believe how much my little sister has grown over the summer. She’s tanned and her hair is blonder than ever. Her backpack is almost the size of her, ready for her textbooks.
I hum under my breath and circle around the school looking for parking. My mind immediately travels back to this morning’s conversation, when I finally told my parents I wanted to take a year off for storm chasing. Things with my mom have slowly been improving, but the news was a hard pill for her to swallow.
Still, I can tell that she’s working on our relationship as hard as I am. Delia calling to rave on and on about my good work at Legacy over the summer only seemed to sweeten matters further. Mom even gave me a tentative hug afterwards.
By the time I’m at my locker and stacking my textbooks, I have an absurdly bright smile for the first day of school. Noah’s coming to meet me soon so we can walk to our first class together. Even though we’ve spent every day together over the last three months, I’m most excited to see his face when I wake up in the morning.
I shut my locker door and glance around the hallway. Isabella Hall and Lucas Therborn storm past me and I roll my eyes. There’s always drama with Isabella. I spot Kiara and Jonathan walking with a couple of friends and Kiara smiles at me.
“Hey, Lewis.”
There’s that familiar husky voice. I turn around to find Noah leaning against the lockers, wearing his leather jacket and smiling his beautiful half-smile. He’s holding a fruit roll-up in his hand.
“That for me?”
“How else could I bribe you to walk the halls with me on the first day of school?”
“Good thinking. It’s tough to be seen with the likes of you.” I open the package and take a bite as Noah kisses me on the cheek.
I wrap my arm around his waist and we walk down the hallway, garnering a few stares. I guess people weren’t expecting Noah ‘the mysterious hottie’ and Bree ‘the wild child’ to get together. Along the way, I spot Anaya talking to someone in the gym. I wonder how her summer turned out.
“Did your dad hear back yet?” I ask mid-bite.
Noah smiles widely. “Delia called last night. He got the job.”
I squeal in delight. Delia did it! The Inn had to move a few things around for budgeting, but she seemed excited to have Noah’s dad on board. And now, he has a permanent, full-time position with Legacy Inn.
“So… next year…” I trail off, hoping against hope for good news.
“I guess we can take a road trip together,” Noah says with a teasing smile.
“Yes!” I exclaim and kiss him on the cheek.
Then, Noah pauses in the hallway and reaches into his bag. “I want to show you something.”
With a flourish, he produces his well-worn notebook. My heart jumps into my throat as I flip through the pages. “You finished it?”
Noah’s eyes are sparkling and he nods. “I brought it to a publisher a couple of days ago and he loved it. He wants to see the finished novel, typed and ready to go, in the next couple of months.”
He points to the bottom of the last page. “Your note inspired me.”
I read the last sentence aloud, “I loved you then. And I always will.”
My heart might explode in my chest and my stomach is filled with butterflies. I meet his gaze and my smile matches his.
“Check the front,” he says and I immediately flip through to the front of the book. It’s an Acknowledgements page with just two names on it.
“Nina Sawyer”
“Bree Lewis”
I’m officially speechless. Tears spring to my eyes but these are tears of pure joy. I cradle the notebook in my hands, not ready to let it go.
“Without you,” Noah says quietly. “I couldn’t have written this novel, couldn’t have pictured my future. I love you and I will always love you. I’ll follow you across the world if that’s where you want to go.”
My face breaks into a beaming smile. I stand on my tip-toes and give him a proper kiss, the world singing around us.
As Noah and I approach our first class of the day, I’m overwhelmed by how grateful I am for this life-changing summer. Three months ago, I was lost and unsure of my future. Since then, I found out who I am and I learned to be proud of it. I’m excited about a life unaffected by the expectations of people around me. And I had my world turned right-side up by a boy I’ve known forever.
Finally, I’m home.
The Summer I Fell for My Fake Boyfriend
Legacy Inn #2
1
Anaya
Brrrrring!
I shove my books in my backpack and jump to my feet. Explosions of chatter and laughter erupt around me. School is officially out for the summer. Students stream into the hallways of Edendale High. Groups of girls hug goodbye. Guys high-five and cheer. The taste of freedom is in the air.
I put my head down and let my long, dark hair fall in front of my face. I navigate the throngs of students, walking as fast as I can. Like everyone else, I can’t wait to get out of here.
I’m almost at the doors, sweet freedom within reach.
And then, a familiar voice, like nails on a chalkboard. “Are you stupid or something?”
I spin around and see that my arch-rival, Isabella Hall, is backing a freshman into a corner. Her annoying best friend and sidekick, Chloe Devine, blocks the poor girl from leaving. The two are decked out in their cheerleading outfits, their hair perfectly done.
Having been the target of Isabella and Chloe’s torment, I can’t help myself. “Hey! Leave her alone!”
Isabella looks at me, a bored expression on her beautiful face.
“Oh, perfect. It’s you.” She rolls her eyes and then points to the trembling freshman. “Please tell Riley that leaving the cheer squad to join the swim team is social suicide.”
She says “swim team” like it’s an infectious disease. But then, everything Isabella says is dramatic, perfectly cued for a reality TV show.
I cross my arms. “What’s wrong with the swim team?”
“Nothing, Anaya.” Isabella’s voice is sickly sweet. “In fact, I think people like you are meant to be on the swim team. The sport is so boring, nobody even comes to watch you compete.”
Chloe and Isabella cackle and the back of my neck gets hot. Isabella’s always been good at getting under the skin of the people she victimizes. I cannot believe I used to be friends with this girl. What was I thinking?
My cheeks are burning and I can’t think of a single thing to say to Isabella. So, instead, I turn to the freshman girl. Her eyes are wide, and she looks like a deer caught in headlights. I have a flashback to my own, terrified moments stuck under Isabella’s reproachful glare. My heart softens immediately.
“Riley,” I say, smiling kindly. “That’s awesome news. I’d love for you to try out for the team.”
“Yeah, go for it,” Isabella taunts. “Leave the cheer squad. See what happens. You’ll end up like Anaya — once a popular cheerleader, now a nobody. She’s finishing junior year and she’s never even had a boyfriend.”
I flush, my ears burning. I stare at my feet, wishing this was over already.
Isabella smiles, but it’s a smile of pure evil. “Am I right, or am I right, Anaya?”
Lost for words, I pause with my mouth open.
Isabella smirks in triumph and turns to the freshman girl. “See? Swim team is for losers. Anaya joined the swim team, and now nobody wants her. It’s sad. Maybe you should try out for the fencing club instead. Or intramural badminton. Even that would be better than swimming.”
Chloe snickers and gives Isabella a high-five. At that moment, something in me snaps. I’m so sick of Isabella taunting me. I quit the cheerleading squad a year ago for this very reason. I’m tired of her picking on vulnerable younger students and ruling the school with cruelty.
I squeeze my eyes shut and reach back in my memories of my time on the squad. Then, I force a calm smile and place a hand on my hip. “Still upset over losing your best cheerleader, Bella?”
My sneakers squeak on the linoleum floor as I take a step forward. Isabella’s jaw drops. She’s not used to people snapping back at her. Or using the childhood nickname she hates.
“That’s what I thought.” I’m gaining confidence now, my anger fuelling me. “I don’t regret quitting the squad for a second. I have no time for petty, selfish people like you. If Riley wants to join the swim team, she should. I wouldn’t blame her for wanting to extract herself from your toxicity.”
I should stop there. I really should. But, it’s like I can’t control my mouth. “And, for your information, I do have a boyfriend.”
A beat of silence and Chloe’s jaw drops.
“There’s no way,” she mutters coldly.
Isabella recovers and snorts, smoothing her cheer uniform. “Funny, I haven’t seen you with a boy. Ever.”
My mind races. “He doesn’t go to Edendale High.”
“Where do you see this imaginary boyfriend of yours, then?” Isabella’s eyes glint. “In your dreams?”
“He’s working at Legacy Inn with me this summer.” My words are born of pure adrenaline.
“Isn’t that convenient,” Isabella simpers, twisting a lock of blonde hair around her finger. “Luckily, both Chloe and I will be dropping by the Inn this summer, so we’ll get to see you two together.”
My heart slams in my chest. Now I’ve done it, I did not anticipate this little issue. Beads of sweat threaten to appear on my forehead but I force a neutral, even bored, expression.
“I’m sure he’ll love to meet you,” I respond evenly, though my mind is exploding in panic.
The glint in Isabella’s eye shines brighter. “Have a fantastic summer, Anaya. We’re excited to meet this boyfriend you speak of.”
Chloe narrows her eyes. “If he’s real. Which he’s not.”
I ignore Chloe’s comment. “Have a great summer as well, Bella and Chloe.”
I meet their gazes defiantly, and then sling an arm over Riley’s shoulder and steer her out of the corner and towards freedom.
As we approach the front door, Riley checks behind us and then turns to me. “Thanks Anaya, I owe you one.”
I wave my hand. “It was my pleasure. Those girls need to be brought down a peg. But honestly, I do hope you try out for the swim team in the fall, if that’s what you want.”
“It is.” Riley smiles.
“Tell you what. There’s a huge intercounty swim meet the third week in August, before school starts again. It sets up each school’s initial rankings for the fall season. I’m going to be training for it all summer. You should come and check it out.”
“Thanks, Anaya. I will!” Riley nods gratefully and waves goodbye as she runs towards the doors.
It isn’t long before my smile drops off my face. Deep-seated frustration and anger eat at me. I’m angry with Isabella for her teases and taunts, and I’m even more angry with myself for my ridiculous lie.
What kind of trouble has my big mouth gotten me into now?
2
Anaya
Steam billows from the pots on the s
tove. The kitchen is filled with delicious smells, right in time for dinner. But I’m barely aware of the meal I’m preparing. My mind is stuck on my confrontation with Isabella and Chloe back at Edendale High.
I chop a carrot with so much force, half of it shoots across the kitchen.
Daniel, my little brother, snorts. He’s sitting at the kitchen table innocently slurping a carton of chocolate milk. His backpack is lying, abandoned, on the floor. Summer vacation is officially underway for him as well.
“You’re such a klutz,” he says and takes another slurp.
I turn and wave a finger at him. “One more word out of you and you’ll be eating the floor carrot.”
He wrinkles his nose. “Ewwww.”
I throw a handful of chopped vegetables into a pot of bubbling water, and then retrieve the wayward carrot. I ruffle Daniel’s hair on my way back to the stove.
I’m trying to enjoy my last evening at home with my little brother, but my mind is in a whirlwind. I’m livid from my encounter with Isabella. How could I have been stupid enough to give in to her jabs? I’ve never had anything close to a boyfriend. Guys have simply never been interested in me. And now, I have to conjure a boyfriend out of nowhere.
As though summoned by the simple thought of stress, my dad appears in the doorway. Behind his glasses, his eyes are tired and puffy. He rakes a hand through his salt and pepper hair. It’s more salt than pepper these days.
I give him a hug. “Hey, Dad.”
“How was your last day of school, sweetheart?”
“Okay,” I lie. “How was work?”
“Okay.”
I know he’s lying too. I learned it from somewhere.
“Dinner will be ready in ten.” I take a lid off a pan and peer at the contents — chicken breasts for Dad and Daniel, and a veggie patty for me.
The Complete Legacy Inn Collection: Four Sweet YA Romances Page 17