Page 49 of Hot Shot

“Sure were. I wanted everything to be perfect. Wilder said it was when he saw me worried, but I didn’t believe him.”

She looks around again, considering. “I think he’s right.”

“He so often is,” I admit with a sigh.

Cricket wanders around, picking things up, inspecting them, and putting them down again. “I didn’t know grownups got nervous too.”

“Sure. Everything you feel, we feel too. It’s just that we’ve felt most of it before, so it’s less scary. Most of the time, at least.” I scoot to her suitcase and lay it down to unzip it. “How are you feeling about school tomorrow?”

Her face quirks as she opens a desk drawer and closes it again. “Kind of scared.”

“Me too. It’s my first day too. Did you know that?”

She shakes her head.

I’m loading her dresser with the neatly folded clothes from her suitcase. They smell of fresh laundry, sweet and crisp. “It’s true. It’s my first time teaching, even though I’ve wanted to do it since I was your age.”

“You knew when you were my age what you wanted to do?”

“Sorta. Mostly people told me I was bossy, so I should teach.”

Cricket rolls her eyes. “Rude.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Right? But the truth is, I always loved reading like you. And I’ve always loved kids. So it ended up making a lot of sense.”

“How come you didn’t teach before?”

Shit.I field it as best I can. “Well…it was never really the right time. But I can’twaitfor tomorrow. We’re going to have so much fun.”

“Even though you’re scared?”

“Sure. Because that’s just one little part of it—the rest of it is gonna beawesome.”

Cricket’s eyes are full of hope and worry. “You promise?”

I don my most certain smile. “Promise.”

CHAPTER 18

NICE TRY

WILDER

The fairy lights over our head twinkle in the dim room, Cass’s voice velvety and rhythmic as she reads the opening chapter ofA Wrinkle In Timeto Cricket.

I’m smushed against the wall with my feet nearly hanging off the end of the bed. Cricket is sandwiched between me and Cass. Everything feels soft and blurry around the edges, both familiar and completely unknown.

Dinner went quickly and then the Walkers said goodbye. It was hard to watch Cricket clinging to her grandmother, her eyes pinched shut. I feel like a villain, selfish for keeping her here, even though this is exactly what was asked of me. Not only by Ashley but by the Walkers. It’s what I want, which is probably why it feels like a crime. Cricket chose to be here, but I can’t imagine this is where she wants to be.

Where she wants to be doesn’t exist anymore. The reminder makes my stomach turn.

There are no other options. And it’s what’s best for her. I think, at least.

But I still feel like I’ve done something wrong. Maybe if I can make Cricket happy, everything else will fall into place.

She’s tucked under my arm, her eyes following along as Cass reads. Cute little nightlights are scattered artfully around the room. One is a glowing white duck, its legs dangling off a shelf. One’s a piece of toast with a face on it and tiny arms and legs. A projector throws a slowly swirling galaxy onto the ceiling. There are even night lights in the hallway and my room. Our room.

Cass thought of everything.

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