Page 87 of When You Had Me Adapting

He digs through the second bag and pulls out a Coke, a bag of chili-cheese Fritos, and some gum. He places it all in the center console and puts the bag at my feet. “Speaking of you feeling sick, I think you should probably put the book down. We’re not quite off the windy roads yet.” He plucks my e-reader from my hands and puts it on the backseat.

“Fine, but then what will I do for the next hour and a half?” I grumble.

“I guess you’re going to have to talk to me.” His face curves into a wicked grin.

CHAPTER 40: CAR CONFESSIONS

JACE

Lacey lets out another little grumble, and I turn my head back toward the road ahead. Out of the corner of my eye, I see her adjusting her chair.

“So, pixie. What’s Colt doing in Texas?”

“He moved out there for school. Got a scholarship for baseball at UT and is loving it.”

“Are y’all still close?”

“Sorta. I try to check in with him as much as I can. I tried him a couple times this summer and he was supposed to call me back, but he hasn’t.”

“That sucks.”

“I know he’s busy.”

“I don’t think he likes me much.” I chuckle, remembering all of the times Colt and I crossed paths over the past ten years. My eyes flit to the necklace that still sits around Lacey’s neck and for a second I think about telling her it was from me, but I change my mind. I don’t want to complicate things for them or for us.

“Goodness, he was so young and so cute back then. I’m pretty sure he offered to beat you up,” she laughs. “I’m proud of himand you know Mom and Dad are elated he’s playing college baseball. He’s made all their dreams come true.”

“Are they not proud of you too?”

She’s quiet for a minute, and when I look over at her, she’s staring out the window lost in her thoughts.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Family’s hard. Don’t get me wrong; I love my parents, and I know I had it easier than most growing up. But sometimes, I feel like I’m too much, you know?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know like I’m not the super composed beauty pageant queen my mom wanted. I’m messy and say what’s on my mind. I’m dramatic and loud. Sometimes I think she’s disappointed I didn’t turn out the way she hoped I would.”

“I don’t think you’re too much.”

Silence hangs between us and I think about grabbing her hand, but I stop myself.

“I know your dad has to be so proud of you and your career. Your mom would be. She used to tell me all the—” She quickly takes a sip of her Coke and lets out a very fake cough.

“What was that?” Our eyes find each other for a split second and hers are full of something I can’t quite place.

“Huh?”

“You said my mom used to tell you. What did she tell you?”

She takes a deep breath. “Promise not to hate me.”

“I could never hate you.”

“Okay, well that’s not true.” She bites her lip. “And you have to promise not to be mad at your mom. She was going to tell you, or at least I think she was, but then she…”

“Died.”

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