Page 160 of From Now On

I take it, surprised. I figured they were related to his brewery.

“You didn’t have to get us anything,” I say, experiencing a pang of guilt.

I didn’t gethimanything.

I still have time, I guess, but knowing Aidan, this is extravagant, and I don’t have that kind of money lying around.

“It’s for me too,” he replies.

I glance at Conor, and we open the envelopes together.

It takes me a couple of minutes to scan enough text to understand the gist of it.

Aidan arranged an African safari for us next summer. Two weeks, with airfare and accommodations included. I can’t even imagine how much this cost. Several grand, at least.

“I picked July to make sure you were free,” he tells Hart.

From the look on Conor’s face, that means more than the gift itself. It’s a testament to Aidan’s confidence that Conor will get drafted.

Aidan glances at me. “You too, nerd.”

“This trip looks amazing,” I say. “But it’swaytoo much, Phillips.”

Conor nods in agreement.

Aidan pours more whiskey. “No, it’s not. I don’t know when I’ll see you guys after May. I wanted to make sure we had a reunion planned. And I didn’t spend myentiretrust fund on the bar. I have the money, and I want to wear camo and see some lions with my best friends. Promise you’ll show up?”

There’s a tentativeness to that last question.

Suddenly I’m eighteen again, standing on a porch at a party I’m not sure I want to be at and agreeing to get lunch with a stranger.

A stranger who would become one of the most important people in my life. When I told Coach that Aidan would die for Rylan, I meant it. I knew it, because he would die for me too. Loyalty is a rare thing to come by. It can’t be bought or stolen orexplained, really. It’s there or it’s not.

Family can be forged. And those bonds—chosen bonds—can be a lot stronger than blood.

“I’ll be there,” I promise.

“I will too,” Conor adds.

And for the first time, graduation feels a lot less like an ending and more like a new beginning.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

EVE

“Eve!” My mom stands and waves as soon as I enter the restaurant.

I smile at the hostess waiting at the stand. “I’m meeting my mom.”

She smiles back. “I figured. Are you graduating tomorrow?”

“I am.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thanks,” I say, and then head for our table.

I haven’t seen my mom since the end of winter break, back in January. She smells like her lavender laundry detergent and rose perfume. I inhale the floral scents deeply as we hug.

---