Page 145 of Wherever You Are
Think it all over.
But I’m not sure I want to meet a “dad” that I’d need protection from. That sounds terrifying. Lo leaves me alone to drink my water.
I text Garrison:do you have time for a phone call?
His reply comes seconds later as the Caller ID lights up with his name. I spend the rest of the night filling him in. Saying the words out loud to Garrison makes it feel even more real.
36BACK THEN – February
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
WILLOW MOORE
Age 18
I’ve been tasked with “cake” pickup for Daisy’s birthday. It also happens to be a joint bachelor/bachelorette party. My first I’ve ever attended, but I’m not covered in a nervous sweat or anything. It’s supposed to be a super lowkey gathering at Connor and Rose’s mansion. Just the core six, me and…my boyfriend.
A goofy smile expands across my face, just thinking the words. Garrison and I have been dating for months now—since September—but there still hasn’t been a kiss. I’m more comfortable with his touches than I’ve ever been.
Handholding. Hugging. Lying on the same bed together.
It’s been nice, and there’ve been a couple times I could’ve seen myself kissing Garrison. Like during the summer when fireworks lit the sky.
Yet, I was too chicken to make the first move. And he didn’t attempt it.
I realize I’m the one who chose the tortoise-slow pace, and I might have to be the one toinitiatea faster one. But I don’t know how to go about that without descending in my head and becoming a mess of nerves.
Anyway, I’m trying to focus on good things. Birthdays. Bachelor/bachelorette parties.
“I can’t believe they ordered a dick cake.” Garrison’s eyes flit to the box on my lap. It indeed has a cake inside. Shaped like a giant penis.
Garrison’s hand tightens on his Mustang’s steering wheel, driving back from the bakery. His eyes meet mine briefly, and his brows rise. “It was a choice.”
We’re both near laughter. “Did you expect anything less from them?”
He shakes his head. “Not really.” He glances from the box to me. “You want me to carry it in?”
“No, I can do it.” Though that does cause a wave of anxiety, but I want to push through it for Daisy. It’s her birthday after all. My eyes flit to the clock. We’re running behind. Traffic near the bakery was a nightmare. Luckily, it’s mostly cleared up now.
Garrison follows my gaze. “Hold on.”
He accelerates, speeding all the way to the gated neighborhood.
* * *
“I don’t know if I can eat that,” Lily says, eyes narrowed as Ryke cuts the head of the…dick cake.
The eight of us pack into Connor and Rose’s enormous kitchen, fit with state-of-the-art appliances. I’ve chosen a nice alcove by the expensive toaster.
It’s the furthest spot from Ryke.
Ever since I found out he’s my brother, I’ve been avoiding him. I haven’t even spoken about Jonathan Hale (AKA my dad) since my conversation with Lo.
Change is hard.
But this change feels monumental, and I know I’m taking the cowardly route by dodging the reality. But we can’t all be Dorothy in the Land of Oz—brave and bold. At least, not all the time.
I’ve let this avoidance fester so long that anytime Ryke tries to talk to me, it’s this big awkward mess. Ryke Meadows is like a brooding, teeth-bared wolf, unapproachable and protectively menacing, and that’s just how I felt before he became my brother.
