Page 63 of True Blue

She slaps my chest. “You haven’t told them yet?”

“Ow,” I complain, rubbing the center of my chest. “Janette sort of ran out after telling us she loves us, so I didn’t get the chance.” I bite the side of my cheek. “I sort of fucked up telling Bentley, but I said it in the voicemail, so he’ll know soon.”

She groans. “You said it in a voicemail? How did you manage to get two people to be in love with you at the same time.”

I smile. “I don’t know. Ask your best friend.”

Layla shoves my shoulder lightly. We both laugh for a moment, settling back down beside each other. “What did Aunt Sandy do to her that she’s coming here already?”

I sigh. “Christopher was at their house when she got there. I think they got into a fight about it. I don’t know the full story, but I’m sure she’ll tell us both when she gets here.”

“We should go tell Dad she’s coming. He’ll want to make up the guest room for her and go buy that juice she used to drink all the time.”

I nod, neither of us moving. “Do you think he’ll understand?” I whisper.

“Dad? I think he’ll be confused as hell. But he won’t be upset. He never cared who you were with, just that you were happy. Same will apply to this.” Layla squeezes my shoulder. “Just tell him your girlfriend is coming for Thanksgiving. You can tell him about your boyfriend in the Swiss Alps later.” She giggles and I roll my eyes, leaning over to kiss the top of her head.

“Thanks, Lay.” She shrugs, and we stay on my bed for a few more minutes.

“I’m going to take a baking class next semester,” Layla whispers. I look down at her, not moving my head. “I don’t know how to tell Dad. I don’t want him to think it’ll become anything more, but since I'm just kind of still exploring, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try a culinary class.”

I smile, glancing at the photo of Mom and Clifford’s Cupcakes again. “I’m sure he’ll be excited for you. And you’realready a great cook. You always had the most of Mom’s touch in the kitchen.” Layla nods, chewing her bottom lip. “I can tell him about me being in a triad right after you tell him if you want?” Layla bleats a laugh. My phone buzzes against my stomach.

Blue

Just got my ticket online. On my way to the airport right now. Be there around 9:30.

I type back.

Okay. I’ll pick you up. Call me if you get bored at your gate.

“Blue will be here in about four hours.” I sit up. “We should go tell Dad and get everything ready for her. You still going to make Mom’s cobbler?”

Layla sits up, running her hands through her hair. “Yeah, Dad got me all the stuff I need so I’ll prep it tonight after dinner.”

I nod, grabbing her hand. “Come on, I'm going to need you there to tell Dad.”

She follows after me, hand squeezing mine as we head down the hall and I start crafting a speech to try to tell our dad about my relationship.

30

Iwalk out toward baggage claim, following the spread-out mass of people who just disembarked from my flight. My duffel and tote drag my tired shoulders down, feeling like thousand-pound weights. Coupled with the heavy thoughts I’ve been trapped with the last few hours; I trudge toward the crowd of people waiting to grab their bags and meet up with their loved ones. Scanning for Axel’s height and messy hair, I stand still, knowing he will find me faster and growing anxious the longer I don’t see him. When my frayed nerves hit their tipping point, I start walking around the large warehouse room, aimlessly, trying to find him in the scattered crowds of people.

The weight of my duffel bag suddenly disappears as someone lifts the strap and I whip around, ready to yell at whoever is touching my stuff, only to find Axel’s sad smiling face. I instantly relax seeing him, wrapping my arms around his waist and throwing myself against his chest. He drops my bag at our feet, wrapping me up in his arms and holding me tight. I sniff to try to clear the prickly feeling in my nose and throat, closing my eyes against the slowly pooling tears.

Axel’s cheek lands on the top of my head and he rubs a hand up and down my back. “I’m sorry, Blue. I wanted you here for break, but not like this.”

I nod, digging my fingers into the back of his shirt.

“I brought something that might help.”

I lean back, looking up at him. He swipes his thumbs under my eyes, leaning down to kiss the tip of my nose quickly before pulling back entirely and turning to the side. Layla stands a few feet behind me, smiling.

I laugh, running over to her and hugging her around the waist. She hugs me back, laughing for a second as we sway from the impact. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you’re seeing my brother.”

I pull back fast, looking at her smiling face for a second before turning my head to look back at Axel.

He stands behind me, duffel now over his shoulder, and shrugs. “She overheard us on the phone. Pretty sure she would have figured it out when I showed up with you at the house.”

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