Page 47 of Love Me Steadfast
She carries her plate and water glass to the sink, rinses them, and tucks them into the dishwasher. I watch her disappear into the hallway. Moments later, water hums through the pipes.
I clean up and take Ollie out for a quick tour around the yard. While she’s busy, I coax slow, full breaths of the misty night air into my lungs. But I can’t shake the feeling Charlotte is hiding plenty from me. While at the same time, making it clear that she’s building a life somewhere else.
Chapter Fifteen
WILLIAM (AGE 16 )
I reachinto the cooler and pull out a soda for Theo, then one for myself.
“Happy Birthday, man,” he says, popping the top.
“Thanks.” I crack mine open and we tap rims.
On the other side of the creek, Charlotte, Linnea, and Morgan are helping Barb and Sofie with the food while Zach and our friend Sawyer, who moved here from Alaska last year for a job at Finn River Ranch, are building up the bonfire. Sofie’s dad Rowdy and Henry waded upriver to fly fish before dinner, and Sofie’s older brother Jesse and his girlfriend Neve are off on a walk.
Sofie told me her family comes here all the time, and I can see why. It’s a pretty spot not far out of town, tucked into a canyon, the afternoon sun washing the rock walls with a golden light and the creek filling the air with the soft hush of water moving over the cobbles.
I try not to look too long at Charlotte, but I can’t help it. At least she’s back to working at the tutoring center this year.
“Let’s see this new ride of yours,” Theo says, nodding at the dark blue Silverado Zach helped me buy with the money I saved from twosummers of bucking hay for the Huttons. Thankfully Zach’s splitting the insurance cost or I would be waiting till spring to drive. I can’t work during football season while keeping my grades up, and we agreed that me being able to drive would help us both.
“It’s hardly new,” I say with a laugh as we climb up to the gravel parking area.
“New to you counts.”
I swing the door open. I spent this morning detailing the interior, and though it’s got signs of wear, it’s mine.
“Manual,” Theo says with a nod at the stick shift. “Nice. Better power.”
That’s what Henry and Zach both told me. Also better gas mileage. I wanted a Toyota just for that reason but they’re too expensive. It’s probably for the best, though, because according to my friends, only a Ford, Dodge, or Chevy will do.
The bed is scratched to hell—no surprise given it’s twenty years old. Engine’s in good shape though, and that’s what counts.
Theo flips the tailgate up and glances across the bed, to where the girls are now sitting on the edge of the creek, their bare feet in the water, sodas in hand. They’re all smiling, and I wish I could freeze the image in my mind. Just a week ago, Charlotte was frantic to find her sister after the game, and right now, they’re both safe and happy. Laughing about something Linnea just said.
“Would you be willing to teach Charlie?” Theo asks, snapping me back to our conversation.
I suck in a silent breath as his words knock around in my skull. “Teach her what?” I manage.
“To drive a stick,” he says, running a hand through his hair. “Dad already gave up, and he’s so busy, so I offered, but…”
“That bad, huh?” I’m secretly lit up inside, knowing Charlotte has another weakness besides her ineptitude at sports.
“Yep,” he says with a chuckle. “If both our family cars weren’t manual, it wouldn’t be a big deal.”
“I can teach her,” I interrupt, my thoughts skipping ahead so fast I have to clench my fists.
Relief fills Theo’s features. “Thanks, man. I mean it. We can’t get in all those hours of required driving practice until she can actuallyoperatethe vehicle. Technically, she’s supposed to have an adult in the car with her while she learns, so take her out on the farm roads, away from town.”
“I’ll take care of it,” I say.
“Thanks, Will,” he says on an exhale. “You’re a lifesaver.”
I take a sip of my soda so he won’t see me freaking out. He wouldn’t be thinking of me as a lifesaver if he knew how often I imagine kissing his sister.
That night, after dinner, Ray joins us just in time for Barb’s boysenberry pie with whipped cream. Because he works so much, I’ve only met him a few times, so it makes me feel special that he came. After pie, we build up the fire. Jesse brings out his guitar and plays softly while the rest of us talk.
Zach and I lock eyes across the fire, and his turn glassy as he smiles. This night—this perfect night—represents so much more than just a gathering of friends for some birthday bash. We’re building a life here. Good things are happening. Some by dumb luck, but most because of hard work and dedication. None of it has been easy, what we’ve endured. But we have endured. I tap my fist to my heart, and he does the same.Savor it, his smile says. I nod and smile back.I am.
