Page 46 of That Time We Kissed Under the Mistletoe
He goes on to say I’m just some small-town kid with zero goals beyond high school. Meanwhile Sara’s about to take Stanford by storm. He’s sure I’ll only hold her back if we stay together, and my blood runs cold.
I don’t disagree with him.
As for Mrs. Hathaway, she’s shocked Sara could be so infatuated with a boy from such an unambitious family. Not a single glowing resume in the bunch. And none of us had any desire to ever leave Abieville. Didn’t the Fullers want something … more?
Listening to them talk about me—about my family—that way cracked my heart straight down the middle. I’d already been questioning my worthiness. And scared of derailing Sara’s future. So hearing their confirmations out loud completely gutted me.
It guts me still.
Things only got worse when her parents went over their plan to confront Sara later that night. They were going to tell her to end things with me, and they were prepared with bribes and ultimatums if she put up a fight.
I knew how deeply Sara loved her family. That she’d only be hurt by a confrontation. And if she got angry enough, she might’ve rebelled. By staying with her, I’d be risking her future relationship with her parents. Not to mention, they’d be forced to spotlight all my many inadequacies. So in that moment, I decided not to let Sara find out how her mom and dad really felt about me.
Noneed for an argument.
In the pit of me, I already believed Sara deserved someone better than Three Fuller. So I did the only thing my stubborn ego and my broken heart could manage at the time.
I made sure Sara didn’t have to choose.
“I loved her,” I say, feeling both lightheaded and sick at the memory.
“So did her parents,” Nella says. “You’ve never been a father, Three. Who knows? You might be critical or overprotective if you have kids someday too.”
“Yeah.” I grunt. “I’d probably be the worst.”
“Stop,” Nella says. “You’d be an amazing parent. You’re already incredible with your students. But that’s not the point.”
“What is the point, then?”
“You’ve invested so much time and effort becoming the person you were always meant to be. You’re authentically you, and I’m insanely proud of my big brother. So don’t ever forget who you are, Three Fuller. And stick to that path. Be yourself. Listen to your heart. It won’t steer you wrong.”
My eyes begin to sting, so I blink back tears I’m not about to let fall. Man, I’ve been through the wringer these past two days, and my family’s thousands of miles away, not to mention it’s Christmastime. Of course I’m emotional.
Listen to your heart.
Be yourself.
“Enough about me,” I say, clearing my clogged-up throat. “How’s everyone there?”
“Do you want to hear that we’re miserable without you? Or that we’re getting along just fine?”
“Hmmm. I choose option two.”
“Good.” Nella lets out a small laugh, and I’m heartened by the change in tone.
“So Mom’s really okay?”
“Of course she misses you. She can’t stop saying, ‘Three would just love this,’ but there’s so much to do and see already.This experience is new and exciting for her and Dad. For all of us. So I just have to say … thank you.”
“For what? I didn’t pay for everyone’s cruise.”
“No, but it was really big of you to make sure we all still went without you. That must’ve been hard.”
“Nah. Easiest choice ever.” I gulp against the returning lump in my throat, even as a swell of relief rises in me. I may be about to experience my first Christmas alone, but it sounds like the people I love are happy and safe. And they’re together. That’s what really matters.
“So you’re not mad at me for tricking you into going on the cruise without me?” I ask to confirm. “Mom and Dad aren’t, either?”
“They’re the opposite of mad, Three. In fact, they’re at the ship’s fancy day spa right now.”
