Page 38 of The Do-Over

“Yeah, so, can I be honest here? I want you guys to be able to move to your dream town or whatever. I really do. But,” I said, trying to get the courage to say it in the right way, “I hate the thought of you moving away from me. Like, I love Mom, buthomeis when I’m with you.”

My voice cracked at the end and everything inside of me wanted to clarify that it wasfineand he shouldn’t worry about it, but I forced myself not to. I looked down at the red skin of my apple.

“Wow. Um, I’m going to be honest here, Em—I didn’t expect this.” I looked up in time to see him rub the back of his neck like he was uncomfortable. “I guess I thought it wouldn’t matter much to you.”

“That you’re moving across the country?” I blinked fast because crying never helped anything. I still couldn’t believe I’d melted down like a baby in front of Nick in Chem, even if he had no idea it had happened. “How could it not matter? You’re mydad. The boys are mybrothers. This is my home.”

He stopped stirring. “But you seem so happy with your mom. I guess I just…”

“Assumed. You assumed.” It felt bitter on my tongue, and there was so much more I could say, but I didn’t want to mar the perfect day. “I love Mom, butyouare my home.”

He swallowed and I saw his nostrils flare before he said, “Oh, Em—I’m so sorry.”

I shook my head and fought back tears. “Don’t be. You didn’tknow because I never said anything.”I’d never wanted to rock the boat. “And I don’t want to keep you from moving. I just, um, I don’t know—I thought maybe we could find some options to make this work.”

He came around the counter and sat down on the stool beside me. He told me it’d been killing him, the thought of not being able to see me every day, and he said we—he, Lisa, and me—would sit down tomorrow and find a way to make it work.

When I went up to my room that night, I was buzzing with happiness. I felt closer to my dad than I had in ages, I hadn’t wrecked my car, a summer program was still a possibility, and Josh and I had had a perfect Valentine’s Day.

I climbed into bed and thought about the silver bracelet. I mean, itwasvery pretty, and it looked expensive. Why was I making a big deal about him forgetting my allergy?

My phone buzzed, and I reached for where it was charging on the nightstand. I thought it would be Josh, but it was Nick Stark.

Nick: Your ChapStick is in my truck.

Me: What?

Nick: I just got home and when I grabbed my backpack, your ChapStick was on the floor underneath it.

He had to be talking about my Burt’s Bees, which I hadn’t been able to find all day.

Nick: I’ll bring it to Chemistry, but I just wanted to let you know.

Me: Thanks. How’d you do on the quiz?

Nick: Aced it.

Me: Wow. Cocky.

Nick: Guilty. I’ve got hella Chem swagger.

Me: You really ARE a cool guy.

Nick: I know. So did your BF give you Valentine’s flowers?

Me: Candy and a bracelet, actually.

Nick: So are you wearing your jewels right now while jamming chocolate into your face hole?

That made me laugh and I texted:I left the candy in my friend’s car and the bracelet gave me a rash, so big no.

Nick: Holy shit—he got you a bracelet that turns your arm green??

I sighed and started to text, but, before I even really knew what I was doing, I found myself hitting the call button.

“Hello?”

“The bracelet didn’t turn my arm green. I’m allergic to silver.”

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