Page 143 of Wherever You Are
I’m nervous.
35BACK THEN – September
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
WILLOW MOORE
Age 18
Taco night is always the best night, and living with my brother means it’s a common occurrence.
I lean my hip against the bar midway between sprinkling cotija cheese and dolloping some guacamole onto my plate.
With greasy fingers, I text Garrison back. His parents are hosting some cocktail party at his house, so I invited him over for tacos.
I slide my phone in my overalls, and glance around the kitchen. Maximoff giggles from his highchair while Lo plays “airplane” with a spoonful of yogurt.
Lily stacks tortilla chips on a plate, creating a nacho tower. The house is quiet with Ryke and Daisy out camping for the night, and Rose and Connor are busy at their own place.
“Garrison’s coming over,” I tell them.
Lily immediately beams. “Oh perfect. It’s a good night for…” Her voice tapers off at the look Lo is slipping her. “Tacos. It’s a good night for tacos. What else did you think I was going to say?”
If I had to guess, she was going to sayit’s a good night for a first kiss. Lily made me pinky promise that I’d tell her when I had my first. She’s very invested in blossoming love.
Lo’s brows rise. “Every night is a good night for tacos, love.” He turns to me. “And if he makes a move on you, his dick is going where it belongs. In the garbage.”
It’s not the first threat I’ve heard, so I barely react this time.
My phone buzzes.
Garrison:Hey, so I can’t come over anymore. Parents are all over my ass about staying in and studying on a school night. I would argue with them but they’ve got friends over. Tomorrow?
I text back:Yeah definitely, tomorrow is perfect.
Lo and Lily watch me, and the air already tenses. I must wear disappointment all over my face.
But I brush it off quickly. “False alarm,” I tell Lo. “He has to study.”
Lo’s face cinches, angrier at the prospect of Garrisonnotcoming over. “He didn’t seem to care about studying before he was dating you. Now he’s ditching you to hit the goddamn books.” He fake gasps. “Holy fuck, he’s turning into a nerd.” Lo accidentally whips the spoon around and yogurt flings off a little, splattering Maximoff’s forehead.
The baby laughs so loud his face turns red.
“Listen up, Moffy.” Lo wipes the yogurt off with a towel. “If you date a nerd, just remember that they’ll love books over you.”
“Not true,” Lily interjects. “Rose and Connor love each other over their hardbacks.”
Lo smiles bitterly. “The Queen and King are an exception.” He looks to me, seriousness coating his brows. “Is Garrison okay?”
I still. “Why wouldn’t he be?”
“Because it’s a common line. Saying you have to study when something else is going on.” He shrugs. “I can’t even count the times I said it to our dad growing up.” As soon as he finishes the sentence, he sees my expression and his face falls.
Ourdad.
What…?
I don’t understand. I’m…
