“Are you really going to eat all of that?” Autumn questioned incredulously.
“I just might. Unless one of you want some. You’re welcome to it.”
I snagged one and popped it in my mouth. It was dry and cool from sitting out all night.
“They should have pizza,” I stated.
“That would be awesome,” Autumn agreed.
But there wasn’t, so we settled on the cold tenders. The remainder of the night was spent playing games, eating, and drinking coffee. Autumn and I didn’t sleep at all and felt like death when it was time to call the winners for the prizes.
The secretary stood by all the loot and held a microphone in front of her. They began pulling winning tickets and we excitedly waited for our names with fingers crossed. Autumn won a microwave and a toaster, Rhett won some money, and Alec won the television. I ended up with two gift cards to a steakhouse and Rhett was thrilled about that. At least one of us would enjoy it. The last gift was for a thousand dollar scholarship, which Roxy from my cooking class won. She jumped all the way to the platform and her face was red when she claimed her prize.
The night was over and it was time to go. Autumn and I got one more cup of coffee for the road while Rhett helped Alec carry his television to his car. I grabbed a donut as I waited for Rhett to return.
“I’m going to head out. I’m exhausted.” Autumn sighed.
“Sounds good, girlie. Drive careful and text me when you get home.”
“Will do.”
We hugged goodbye and it only took Rhett a few more minutes to return. Fallon was trailing after him, but he didn’t seem to notice. He grabbed my wrist when he reached me and pulled my donut to his mouth to take a huge bite. My mouth dropped open, but he just kissed my lips.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Fallon turned on her heel and walked back outside without saying anything. Brantley and Roxy bumped into us on the way out. Their hands were intertwined and they were laughing about something.
“Out of all the classes we had together, how come I didn’t know about this?” I confronted the two.
Roxy giggled. “It just happened.”
“By that, she means it happened tonight,” Brantley added. “Took me until the last day to muster up enough courage to ask her out.”
“Well, you two look cute together,” I gushed. “Congrats on the scholarship Roxy.”
“Thank you. I really needed it to cover my school fees.” She leaned on Brantley and it was so sweet. I couldn’t believe I missed the chemistry between them this whole time. I’d been too focused on Rhett.
“Good luck to you guys,” Rhett told them with a grin.
“Same to you two,” Brantley replied.
They left and we strolled to the car. My feet were dragging by the time we reached it and I tumbled in. I was beyond exhausted and was starting to feel nauseous.
“I think Fallon likes you,” I stated as Rhett pulled out of the parking lot.
“She does, but I don’t really care. There’s only one girl for me.” His dimpled grin was adorable.
“Aw, thanks babe.”
A yawn followed that statement and within seconds, I’d fallen asleep.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Rhett must’ve carried me into the house because I woke up in my bed. A glance out the window told me it was dark out and I slept all day. Rhett snuggled closer to me as I tried to get out of bed. I guessed we slept all day. The smell of food kept me moving though as I successfully climbed out.
Mom was cooking dinner when I entered the kitchen. “Where’s Dad?”
“He’s out in the garage working on something. I forgot what it was though.”
“What are you cooking?”
“Spaghetti and meatballs. I’m sure you’re hungry after the night you guys had. Your dad and I were still sleeping when you got in. Did you win anything?”
I told her about the prizes we’d won and the games they had. I explained how much fun it’d been and the amount of coffee that was needed to keep us going.
“I bet you’re coffee-d out after that.” She smiled.
“Surprisingly, I’m not. I have a new-found love for coffee.”
“I’m so proud of you sweetie. I know Maddox would be too.”
“Because I love coffee?” I teased.
“No, silly, because you’re moving on.”
“I know. I miss him.”
“Me too. Me too.” She rubbed her face roughly. “Want to set the table? We can all eat as a family tonight at the dining table. I bought some sparkling grape juice to celebrate your graduation and toast with.”
“Watch out. Pulling out the big guns,” I mocked. “Let me wake up Rhett first and then I will.”
Mom nodded her head to let me know she heard and I rushed to my room. Rhett was already awake and sitting on the edge of the bed. He was twiddling a jewelry box between his fingers.
“You aren't planning to propose are you?” I stated and he jumped.
His eyes were open when they met mine. “Nah. I know you would say no.”
“And how do you know that?” I inquired, even though he was correct on that assumption.
“Because the thought of marriage still intimidates you and I want you to be ready for that step. This is a gift for you though.” His fingers slipped the small velvet box into my palm.
“Do you want me to open it now or at dinner?”
“Now.”
I looked between him and the box a couple of times before opening it. Inside was a heart shaped pendant that hung from a while gold necklace. A diamond was set in the middle and around the heart said ‘In Loving Memory of Maddox’. The date of the accident was on the back. It was stunning.
“I thought that would save you from getting a tattoo.” Rhett chuckled.
“This is perfect, Rhett. It’s so beautiful. Want to put it on?”
He pulled the necklace out of the box. I took off the clock pendent and Rhett replaced it with the heart one. I fingered the heart with a broad smile. A tear escaped my eye.
“You’re the impulsive kind and I thought your parents would appreciate it if you didn’t come home with a tattoo one day,” Rhett teased
“This means so much to me, Rhett.” I thanked him. “No tattoo needed now.”
I wasn't going to tell him that I was never considering a tattoo because I was deathly afraid of needles.
“I’m proud of you, Molly, and he would be too.”
“Why is everyone saying that?” I complained.
“Who else said it?”
“My mom just said the same thing when I was downstairs. Oh, she’s cooking dinner by the way. I’m supposed to go set the table. Come down when you’re ready.”
Rhett’s grasp prevented me from rushing off. “You can’t avoid talking about him forever. I know you’re doing better emotionally and I really am proud of you for that.”
“I know. Hurry up. Mom’s waiting.”
He understood I was a lost cause for the moment and released me. I busied myself with setting the table and the necklace around my neck was starting to feel like a dumbbell. I fiddled with it, but didn’t want to take it off.
“What’s that?” Mom asked as she brought out the food.
I reluctantly showed her and she squealed with delight.
“That’s so thoughtful of him.”
Rhett chose that moment to enter the dining room.
“You are an excellent gift-giver,” Mom told him.
“I’m glad you like it because I have a little something for you too.”
Rhett pulled out another velvet box. In it was a cross pendent with the same message as my heart one. Mom held it to her chest and her eyes watered.
“Thank you. I will cherish this forever.” Mom didn’t have a necklace on so she placed the cross around her neck. She admired it and thanked Rhett again.
“You’re very welcome.”
“You two stay here,” Mom ordered. “I’ll go get your dad an
d then we’ll eat.”
We did as she said and I started making the plates. They were ready by the time Mom returned with Dad. He was full of grease so he must’ve been working on his old car. He hadn’t done that in years.
“What brought out the old mechanic in you?” I asked once we were all sitting.
Dad shrugged. “It’s been sitting there long enough so I figured I’d get back to it. I’ve learned that there’s no day like today after everything that’s happened. Also, Maddox always wanted to see it fixed up, so I thought I would do it in his memory and take it to those old car shows.”
“What kind of car you working on?” Rhett inquired.
“A sixty-nine Chevy Nova.”
“No way. I’ll have to check it out after we eat if that’s okay.”
“Of course.” Dad beamed. “It will be my pride and joy.”
“Guess what Rhett got me, dear.” Mom flashed him the necklace.
Dad examined it and said, “I’d like to get that put on the back windshield of the Nova.”
“I know a guy who can customize one for you. I’ll get him to start it,” Rhett stated.
I blinked at them and then found myself holding up a glass of sparking grape juice.
“Are you going to toast with us to your future?” Mom watched me expectantly.
I looked between the three of them and then down at my empty plate.
“You skipped forward?” Rhett retracted his glass from the center.
Mom and Dad quickly did the same. They looked at me with eyes full of questions, but I didn’t have the answers. The familiar metallic aroma invaded my nostrils and it only confirmed that I’d skipped right through dinner.
“Hey, it’s okay.” Rhett rose to come stand by me. He placed his hand on my shoulder. “You’ll get the hang of it. We’ll repeat the toast and call it a night. It may be from overexerting yourself yesterday.”
Mom stared for a second before catching on that that was her cue. “I’d like to toast to a bright and full future for the two of you. I hope you two find what you’re looking for in life. So, a toast to Rhett, Molly, and the future.”
We clanged our glasses together as if nothing had just happened. It was a good thing that my parents believed me after all. It came in handy for tonight and I was thankful that they didn’t press the matter. It was actually forgotten and Mom and I went watch a movie while Rhett and Dad went fool with the car.
“So, what are you planning to do with yourself, Molly?” Mom paused the movie to glance at me.
“What do you mean?” I wasn’t sure if she was referring to the time travel thing or the future.
“With your life. What are your aspirations? Your goals?”
I thought about it for a second. The topic kept coming up but there was still a blank space where the response should be. Was I supposed to know what I was doing right after I graduated? No. Some people needed time and I was one of those people. I reiterated that to Mom and she smiled.
“Sweetheart, you have the time to be whatever you want. You don’t have to rush it. Travel the world. Go to school. Start a family. Just make sure whatever it is, it’s what you want. Your father and I would never try to push you into anything. What does Rhett want to do?”
Man, I needed to talk to Rhett about this so I wouldn’t be so clueless.
“I’m not sure. We haven’t discussed it.”
“Well, that’s a conversation you’re going to need to have sooner rather than later.”
“But you were just telling me I had all the time in the world.”
“You do, but you don’t want to remain stationary. That’s no way to live.”
“I’ll talk with him tonight and see where his head’s at.”
Mom and I left it at that and she resumed the movie. Rhett and Dad came inside not too long after it had finished. We sat around and talked for a moment longer before we retired to my room. The rush of the night before had hit me and my body was aching. Exhaustion had my eyes slipping closed, but I didn’t want to put off the conversation any longer. If I didn’t talk to him about the future tonight, then I never would.
“I’m sorry you skipped through dinner,” Rhett stated out of the blue.
He’d changed into his pajama pants and was staring at me. He didn’t have a shirt on and it was hard not to stare at his bare chest. I should be used to it by now because he always slept without a shirt, but nope. Not tonight at least.
“Will I ever get control of it? I wasn’t even nervous. I feel like I’m missing most of my life by doing that.”
“You will one day and I’m going to help you any way I can. I wish there was more I could do, but at least your parents can assist us now. Like tonight, they reacted pretty well.”
“They did.” I smiled at him. “Thank you for jumping in and coming to my defense. This is your last chance to run away with Fallon. After this, you’re stuck with me.”
“Aw dang. Guess I’m trapped. Now stop bringing her up.”
“I’m sorry. That was petty of me.”
“You’re just procrastinating the conversation we really need to have.”
“You noticed that?” I picked at the blanket that was covering my lap.
“Yeah. It’s written all over your face. What’s your next step in life? What do you want to be?”
“I don’t have anything planned, which is why you should go first.”
Rhett sat next to me on the bed and folded his arms around me. I rested my head on his shoulder and breathed in his scent. He was quiet for a minute longer and he must’ve been enjoying the contact. We had a connection that couldn’t be explained and I was happy he was here. I’d probably still be crying in a corner or skipping to old age if he wasn’t.
“I’d like to travel the world and experience life before settling down into a regular job,” Rhett admitted. “My parents want me to go to school to be a lawyer, but that’s not what I want. When I do go to school, I want to be an English teacher.”
“You want to be a teacher?” The surprise was evident in my voice.
“Why does that shock you?”
“You just don’t seem like the teacher type.”
“Oh yeah? What type do I look like?”
Crap, I walked right into that one. “Nevermind, you look like the type that can do anything you want.”
“Nice save,” he teased. “Would you want to travel the world with me?”
“How would we pay for that? Neither of us even have a job.”
“My parents have a bank account set up for me that I can access since I graduated. I have more than enough money to cover it.”
“And you’re sure you want to take me?” I mocked.
He kissed my nose sweetly. “I’m more than sure.”
“Maybe we can find others like us,” I suggested. “I’m actually getting more and more excited about this. When do you want to leave?”
“Hold your horses.” He chuckled. “We have to figure out where we even want to go and for how long before we do anything. We have to pack and get passports too.”
“Then, what are we waiting for?”
“Do you even own a map?”
“Nope, but I can pull up one in my phone.” I jumped up to grab it.
He laughed again at my enthusiasm. The conversation wasn’t as extensive and drawn out as I thought it was going to be. We ended up staying up until dawn mapping out where we would go. It wasn’t where I thought I’d wind up, but at least we had a plan. It wasn’t a perfect one, but it was ours and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
~*~
We told my parents all about our idea over lunch the next day. They were hesitant on the idea of it at first, but gradually caved in. Rhett promised that we’d visit often and wouldn’t miss a holiday with them. He also promised that he would help Dad with the car for a few weeks before we left.
Last night, we decided that we wouldn’t leave immediately. We wanted everything to be perfect and had to wait on our passports anyw
ay. So, we were going to take a few months to dedicate to spending time with my parents before we left them. We’d be gone for months at a time and that would be hard on Mom. For that, we weren’t doing anything until after Christmas. It would be the first one without Maddox and was better spent together.
After we ate, I knew there was one more thing I had to do before I fully moved on with my life. I steered Rhett into Maddox’s room and turned on his game system. It powered on and I inserted the zombie game that had contained Maddox’s letter.
“You may not remember playing together, but I do, and it was a lot of fun. I remember you being pretty good too.” I dug out the controllers. I handed him the blue one I usually played with and I held on to Maddox’s special edition zombie one. This controller would be the one I used from now on. Who better than me to carry on Maddox’s legendary skill?
The game fired up and Rhett died immediately. I laughed so hard that I had to drink some water after to settle down.
“What’s the point of this game and how do you shoot?” Rhett’s voice was panicked since he was trying to ward off a zombie. He died again and cursed.
I showed him which button did what on the control and then explained the mission of the game, “You have to kill as many zombies as you can as you work through the map. You have so many lives per game and get more at checkpoints. Since you’ve already died twice, I think we should give this round a second try.”
“Is there a practice area?”
“Nope, that’s for noobs.”
“For what?” He looked at me like I was crazy.
“You know? Newbies?” I giggled at his clueless face. “Maddox taught me that. He used to call me a noob for the longest time. Maybe I should pick up the tradition and call you that?”
“That word sounds pretty close to boob.”
“It does. I think it’s going to stay until you get better at this.”
“So let me get this straight, you’re going to call me a noob until I get more skilled at killing zombies?”
I nodded with a challenging grin. He looked appalled and it was too adorable that it made me want to call him a noob even more.
“Well, be prepared to play a lot because I don’t want to be called that for too long. I don’t like being referred to as a boob.”
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