Page 57 of Where We Belong

Josie’s nod is almost too eager.

“Okay, then,” I say. “Let’s do it.”

It’s close to midnight by the time we get back to the house. Lexie wanted to make sure Josie had the best Christmas celebration possible, and all in all, I think we were able to give her something pretty nice.

“Goodnight, Jos,” Lexie says after kissing her sister on the forehead. “I’ll be right in.”

“Night,” Josie tells us both with a wave, then disappears inside the house. Lexie waits for the door to close, then slumps against it, falling to the ground. I join her, once again thankful we’re in Arizona and not in wet and cold Vermont.

“God, what a shitshow,” she says, eyes closed. “I’m so sorry about tonight.”

“I’m not.”

She opens one eye.

“Don’t get me wrong, your brother’s a Grade-A dick, but I still had a great time with you girls.”

“You did?”

“Yeah, I did.” I lean back on the porch and gaze at the almost full moon. “It’s been a long time since I was able to picnic at Christmas. Last time was probably in Jordan, years ago.” I have great memories from that day. I’d spent the day sand-surfing in the desert and ate the best food I had in months, a world of stars over my head. The world seemed so big then, so full of possibilities and hope. Still, I’m pretty sure I’d take tonight over it.

“I do have a question, though,” I say.

She glances at me, the porch creaking as she pulls her legs to her chest and wraps her arms around them.

“Whatdidyou find in the basement?”

Amusement taints her face. “I haven’t stepped a foot in that basement in years.” She shrugs. “Just a hunch.”

“You little minx.”

She snickers, then sighs. “It’s all so messed up.”

“Yeah, it is.” Making sure she sees me moving, I slowly bring a hand to her sneaker and squeeze it. “But you did good, Lex. You really did.”

Her lips twist to one side as she looks at me. “Thank you, for coming. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to tell you what it meant to me.”

“Had to make sure you came back to me safe and sound. You’re not done helping me bulk up.” I add a laugh for good measure. I can’t tell her the truth, that thinking of her alone with her family was literally driving me insane. That I didn’t sleep for two days straight, and that I ended up calling Aaron in the middle of the night to ask him for help. That she could’ve been on the other side of the globe and I probably would’ve come anyway, not for her sake but for my own.

Yeah, I can’t say that.

“Right,” she says. “Almost forgot.”

I squeeze her foot once more. “I told you you’d accept my help one day.”

She snickers, then shoves my hand playfully. “You know you’ve helped me more times than you could even count, don’t you?”

I shrug. “What can I say? I like it.”

It takes a long, long time for her to answer. But when she does, it’s in this small, almost airy voice that sends shivers down my spine.

“I think I might like it too.”

Later that night, I wait for Lexie to go to bed, then remain outside for a while. It doesn’t take ten minutes before my wish is answered and Lexie’s mom comes outside, a cigarette ready between her fingers.

Shock overtakes her features when she sees me. “What are you still doing here?” She lights the cigarette, then returns her gaze my way.

“I’m leaving,” I say, standing. “Just wanted to have a little chat beforehand.”

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