Page 37 of Take Me Home

“I saw how he looked at you, and let me tell you, I never saw ol’ Robbie look at you like that. He looked like the star-eyed emoji had a baby with the heart-eyed emoji. And the way he smiled when he said you were an easy patient?” Brianna shook her head.

“I think he was just tired. It’s been a long day,” I said. “But he did kinda snuggle me in my bed yesterday.”

Brianna’s shriek could split an ear. “Did anythinghappen?!”

“No, nothing happened. I was really sick and freaked out and scared. He asked how he could help, and I said I wanted him to lay with me.”

“And he did?” Brianna asked.

I nodded. “Held me until I fell asleep, and then talked with me until I fell asleep last night. And he made me Mamaw’s pancakes this morning.”

“Remind me again why you’re not riding him right this very minute? Come on, Darcy. This guy’s too good to be true.”

“It’s just delicate, I guess. I want him to make the first move. I don’t want to be a creep.”

“Well, I’ve got all weekend to gather data and I fully plan on doing so. We’re going to make sure the next time you’re sharing a bed with him it’s not some high school shit.” Brianna pulled up to the house and parked, setting a hand on my shoulder. “I know it’s been a rough year, Darce, but sometimes you’ve just gotta let life steer you and accept the good things that come.”

I giggled and gave her side-eye.

Together, we said, “That’s what she said.”

* * *

Crunchwrap supremes consumedand Bajas blasted, Bri and I sprawled on the couch drinking our preferred cheap beer: Coors Light. My abs hurt from laughing with her about the Haley Douglas encounter at the restaurant.

“I guarantee you I was the subject of a group text to the cool kids after that,” I sighed.

“Fuck ‘em. We’re cooler. Who cares,” Brianna scoffed. “If that’s the most exciting run-in she’s had all year, no offense, but she’s got a sad little life.”

“Are you implying I’m not top billing?” I asked, flinging some condensation from my beer bottle at Brianna.

“Shush, you know you’re top billing for me. I’m here, aren’t I?”

“You are. And I’m happy you are. Everything’s going okay here, but I feel like I’m just playing at being a farmer or something. And like there’s this looming black hole of doom with razor-sharp teeth at the end of the summer, which is What Comes Next,” I whined.

“I’m sorry, friend. This is a pretty damn unusual situation to be in,” Bri said, giving me a boo-boo lip. “From what I can tell though, you’re doing it right. All the creatures are still alive and y’all were packing up peaches like pros when I showed up. Your uncle picked the right person for the job.”

“Thanks, B.”

“Do you have any idea what you want to do next? You know there’s no pressure from me if you don’t have an answer.”

I took a deep breath, remembering my conversation with Jake from a few nights prior. “When I was talking to Jake about what happened with the professor, he said something that really made me think.”

“Ooh, I like where this is going,” Brianna said, taking a sip of her beer and leaning in.

“He said he hoped I get my writing voice back. I’d forgotten until I was telling him about it that my writing was part of what I lost when it all happened. The more time I spend out here relatively unplugged, the more I feel my mind working that way again.”

Brianna sat in silence for a minute, then wiped away a tear.

“Don’t you start!” I warned, pointing at her. “If you cry, I will! I’ve already cried too much this summer.”

“Sorry! Sorry!” Brianna gave a watery laugh. “It’s just—I’m glad to see that part of you healing and coming back. You deserve it.” She paused. “And I love that he sees that in you.”

The last part of Brianna’s sentence came out higher-pitched as she was holding back tears.

“No!” I shouted as my own eyes watered. “I’m too tired to cry.”

“Okay, okay, okay. I know it’s hard for everything to be as uncertain as it is for you right now, but I think you’re going to end up in a good place. Even if that place doesn’t involve a boy right now,” Brianna dragged her fingers under her eyes to dry her tears as she spoke. “But also, if a boy is going to be part of Team Darcy and bring you joy, I hope that works out, too.”

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