Page 159 of Promise Me Nothing
But I have every faith that we can work through it together. And I think that’s something that’s different about my relationship with Wyatt. Maybe even my relationship with Lucas.
The hard times don’t mean we have to quit. I’m not going to get shuffled off to a new house just because I get into an argument. It means we’re going to talk. We’re going to work through things. We’re going to compromise and flex and negotiate.
I’ve never had that before. Never had someone who stuck around long enough that those things ever came into play. So it’s definitely different. But I love it.
We’re still figuring everything out for the long-term, like what’s going to happen with his job and that move to London, and where I’m going to end up when the summer is over.
But it’s something we’re going to figure out together.
And Wyatt was right.
Weathering a storm together means I’m not as scared.
“You know, if you decide you don’t want to do the speech, I won’t let him run me out of town,” I tell Wyatt as I sit snuggled in his arms.
He told me about the fight he had with his dad. It made me sick, knowing the depths Calvin would stoop to in order to get what he wanted. But I loved hearing how Wyatt defended me.
“I’m doing the stupid speech,” he grumbles. “This shit between me and my dad… it’ll work itself out. Someday. But I’m not letting that prick do anything to hurt you, and if I know anything about him, it’s that if he sets his sights on you, he won’t stop until he’s ruined your life.” He places a kiss on my temple, his arms tightening around me just slightly. “There will be other times when I can stand up to him. And I will. But not over this. I won’t let him use you. Ever.”
I tilt my head up to look at him and give him a soft smile, my love for him seeming to grow and expand in ways I’ve never known were possible. Then I stretch up and press a kiss to the base of his jaw.
I believe him when he says that. And it feels good to hear, knowing I’m in a relationship with someone who doesn’t see me as a pawn in his larger game. That line in his letter really did make me swoon.
But I also don’t expect that he’s going to be able to keep me safe from every shitty person or horrible situation, from any asshole who might see me as a means to an end.
Instead, I just have to be thankful for the effort he does make, and continue to focus on the good. The good people, the good experiences, the good life.
And it really is a good life.
Sienna is going to come out to visit at the end of the summer. I got a sweet little video message from Melanie a few days ago of her and Lissy saying hello and telling me all about New Mexico. Lissy apparently has a new best friend in the neighborhood they moved into, and she’s starting to sign more, feeling a little bit less like she doesn’t fit in.
And then there’s tonight. Right now. I’m surrounded with people I really like, some of them that I love.
Ivy is in her pajamas, sitting on the actual roof with Ben, who agreed to come if I didn’t talk to him, since he’s trying to keep ‘a healthy work balance’ since he’stechnicallymy boss.
I give that a few weeks before it falls apart.
Lucas is here with Remmy, which is a little bit weird, since I’ve never seen the two of them together before. Who knows what’s happening there, but they both look happy sitting in the hot tub.
Paige and Eleanor are sitting happily together, chatting and alternating between the hot tub and the other loungers on the roof. Those two have gotten pretty close, and I’m so glad they hit it off.
Lennon is here as well, but she seems to be a little down, opting to stay on the loungers and face out to the water instead of getting into the hot tub. Though every time she walks over to get another drink, her eyes look to Lucas and Remmy. It makes me sad for her, but I guess I don’t know everything that’s happening there.
Lucas’ parties are typically a lot larger, with hundreds overflowing to the streets. But tonight, he agreed to do something small and intimate with just close friends and family.
Besides, I don’t think he wanted to be shown up.
Apparently all of Hermosa Beach is in a tizzy because the guy with all the dogs decided to do one more 4th of July party before he retires the title as the Hermosa Beach Party King and hands the crown over to Lucas.
I’m not kidding when I say that is a paraphrase of his literal quote when he took out a full-page ad in the local newspaper letting everyone in town know that the party was happening.
Good luck to the cops trying to policethatparty tonight.
It makes me laugh, all of the weird things that make this town so unique.
I don’t know if I’ll ever understand it. Or if I’ll everreallyfeel like I fit.
But I’ve decided to try.
