Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
He grits his teeth. “No matter what the locals say.”
“What do they say?” My question is hesitant, given how upset he seems.
“That I’ll never amount to anything. Just like my father used to tell me.”
“Fuck him.” Anger surges inside me. I have this need to protect Micah, to shelter him from any more hurt. “And don’t you dare let them make you feel that way.”
“I can see why they do,” he mutters. “I’ve been in trouble most of my life.”
“My mom says you’re just misunderstood.”
He snorts. “Guess that’s one way of putting it.”
I meet his eyes. “Why do you do it, then?”
“Do what?”
“Get in trouble so much.”
He lifts a shoulder. “At first, it was resentment. I hated my home life, hated my dad, but maybe after I moved here, it became a self-fulfilling prophecy—that’s what the social worker said—like I wanted to show them all how bad I could be.”
“Mom’s never believed you’re bad,” I murmur. “Neither do I.”
I hear his breath catch. I can’t look at him—all I can do is focus on staying still, hoping he never decides to scoot away. Instead, he settles in, his arm relaxing against mine, the contact making the hairs on my arm tingle. I exhale, feeling like I can breathe again just having him near.
My mom had no idea at the time about my growing feelings for my best friend, and I thought they were just on my part. I didn’t realize he shared them until the night we woke up tangled together in my sheets. It was the first time I felt how hard he was against me before he bashfully rolled away.
I sink down on the carpet next to Micah as he lifts a silver ring from the bottom of the box.
My heart throbs upon seeing his wedding band. “I put it in here for safekeeping last time I was home—after we decided to separate.”
“Mine is stored away too.” In the bottom of my underwear drawer. Some days I miss the feel of it on my finger. The feeling of belonging to someone. Not that a piece of jewelry always reflects what’s in someone’s heart.
He frowns as he twists it in his fingers. “It’s tarnished from not being used.”
I reach for the band to inspect it closer and notice the copper showing through the silver finish. “It’s not like they’re real. We couldn’t afford much at the time.”
We’d stepped into a shop on the strip in Vegas and randomly bought a couple of silver rings after attaining our marriage license. They were cheap and essentially amounted to costume jewelry.
“That’s what I liked about them.” I smile fondly at the memory. “That our wedding was no frills, only you and me, an idea born out of love and some dumb rings.”
“Yeah, me too.” His expression is earnest as he sets the ring in the box again, making the ache in my chest grow.
“What are those playbills from?” I ask, trying to ease the intensity of the moment.
“High school.” He smirks as he lifts the program with A Christmas Carol displayed on the front. “Remember when Ms. Hart was doubtful I could stay out of trouble, let alone stick to a schedule, but she gave me the part anyway?”
“Not only were you the perfect Ebenezer Scrooge,” I tease, “but I remember how excited you were to be included at all.”
“I’ll always be grateful for that opportunity.” It was the beginning for him, of finding something meaningful again and getting his life together.
Not that he knew what to do with himself after we graduated. I was busy with opening the bar, and he worked available shifts in my family’s businesses. Micah was essentially lost without a plan until I suggested he attend theatrical workshops outside Aqua Vista. But it still didn’t seem like enough. I always had an inkling we’d end up exactly where we are today.
He thumbs through the program. “I wonder what Ms. Hart’s up to nowadays. Think she’s still running drama club?”
“You can always drive over to Sunrise Bay. See if she’s still around.”
“Maybe I should—or not. Why would she want to see a former student?”
“Are you kidding?” I elbow him playfully. “You were one of her favorite people. She’d love to hear what you’re up to. Or maybe she already knows.”
He frowns. “Doubtful.”
“I think she’s followed your career. Last time I saw her was years ago, though, with a group of teachers celebrating the beginning of summer break at the bar. We chatted for a bit.”
His eyebrows rise to his hairline. “So you told her I moved to LA?”
“Uh-huh.” Micah sulks, no doubt worried about what she thinks of him leaving. “She seemed excited for you.”
He nods as he replaces the items in the shoebox and closes the lid.
“Anyway, is there a reason for the surprise visit?”
“Thought I’d help with anything you need.”