Page 214 of Only With You

I sigh, loosening my hair from the bun I’d put it in. That was a shock to me when it was delivered a few hours ago. There was no warning, no call, no text from Mom or Dad, just a “Sign here. Merry Christmas.”

“And that, too.” I tip my head in the direction of the boxes in the corner of my room. They were returned today without notice. “I know what they’re doing. They want me to go back home. They even sent birthday and Christmas gifts, and in them was a card saying they want nothing back and they won’t accept it.”

My birthday is in five days and then Christmas will follow soon after. I had expected them to do nothing since we haven’t spoken, but I was wrong. They sent gifts, lots of them, and the card.

Something tentative touches his face. “Are you going back?”

I interlock my fingers with his. “I won’t lie, this makes me kind of sad. Not too long ago, I would’ve gone back in a heartbeat, but now, I know that going back will undo the work I’ve done on myself.” I muse the past two weeks and everything I’ve gone through without them. “You know, when I took my Calc test a few days ago, I wasn’t worried about Dad being upset if I didn’t make the perfect grade. I kept thinking I need to make over ninety-five so I can drive your car.”

That softens the confliction in his gaze and his lips crack a smidge.

“I know I’ll still feel guilty for not going home because I feel it now. Even more so because I don’t think I ever want to go back.” The ache in my chest returns, but Landon squeezing my hand lessens it. “But I know it’s for the best because staring at thoseboxes shouldn’t make me feel shitty. I’m not going anywhere. I can’t do anything about the gifts if they don’t want them back, but I’m not going to dwell on something I don’t have control over.”

A proud look flashes over his face as he embraces me.

“If you don’t pull away, I’m going to ugly cry.” I swallow back the emotions. “And then I’ll have to lie to everyone and El will have to slash your tires.”

“She’ll slash my tires for thinking I hurt you?” he questions, amused, as he pulls back.

“She’ll probably do worse, but she’ll start with that.”

He hums thoughtfully. “Fair enough. She’s a good friend, but I promise that’ll never happen.”

“I know it won’t.” I kiss him but quickly withdraw before it becomes a round two. He must’ve been thinking the same because he’s up and guiding me back out into the living room.

“I just want to say that I manifested this relationship so when you two get married, I want to be the maid of honor,” Polly announces out loud, her eyes set on Landon and me.

“You? I also manifested it, and I am Juls’s best friend, so I’ll be the maid of honor,” El counters, side-eyeing Polly.

Landon and I look at each other, amused, as they go back and forth on what they’ve done to conspire our relationship. As much as we’re enjoying it, we’re too curious about Gabby to pay attention to their bickering.

We find her in the kitchen talking to Jagger, and when we approach them, they add distance between each other.

“Well, it’s about time you guys came out. Oh, and, Juls, you need a new bed,” Jagger supplies, then leans down to my ear and whispers, “It’s a little squeaky.”

Embarrassment licks my spine and my face heats.

“You want to talk about noise? What about two days ago? It was three in the fucking morning.” Landon blankly looks at him. “Some of us were trying to sleep.”

Jagger dramatically gasps, placing his hand on his chest. “Me? Loud at three in the morning. Couldn’t have been. I’m a child of God. I wouldneverindulge in fornication.”

The guys laugh from the living room and Gabby flushes next to him. She always gets a little awkward when we talk about sex, so maybe I was seeing things, but my curiosity is getting the best of me.

It’ll be a quick peek.

The guys get into it, calling out Jagger on all the times they’ve caught him doing the most unholy things. Gabby looks a little out of it when I pull her to the side but smiles when she stares at the jar in my hand.

“Did you guys finally decide what you’re going to do with the money?”

“Yes, we want you to have it.”

She pales as I set the jar in her hands. “Uh, what? No, I can’t take this.”

“You can and you will. It’s a Christmas present from both of us.” I cross my arms against my chest when she tries to return it. “There’s enough in there for you to renew your DACA and a little extra to treat yourself.”

“Please say you’re kidding right now.” Gabby’s bottom lip wobbles and her chin quivers, her brown tear-brimmed eyes glued to the jar.

I embrace her. “No, I’m not kidding. We really want you to have it. Merry Christmas.”

---