Page 57 of Always Mine

“Well, I would. I can guarantee he’d inspire a lot of people with his story.”

“Right? Exactly. I’m going to tell him you said that, too. Maybe that will help give him the push he needs.” He pauses, giving me a once-over. “So what about you? Is it possible to work things out with your guy?”

My smile falters and I sigh, tossing a hand in the air. “I’m trying. I want to, more than anything, but I’m not sure if it’s going to get anywhere. He’s stubborn and I’m impatient, and those two things don’t mix well.”

“I’m going to give you some advice, take it or leave it.”

“Oh, you have advice now, Doc?” I toss back quickly.

“Rock-solid advice.” He smirks, leveling me with his eyes. “You don’t get what you want, you get what you work for.”

Oh, yeah, real solid,I think, trying not to roll my eyes. I swear my ma has told me that very saying in a different variation over the last few weeks. “Again, glad you’re not a real psychologist.”

“Hey! You’d be good to listen to me.” He says defensively, face lighting up when an idea hits him. “And here’s another… Anything worth having is worth fighting for.”

Now he’s just being a cornball. I groan, ready to get the hell out of there. “What are you? A walking motivational handbook?”

Shaking his head, he gets to work cleaning up the stuff we used. “I wish. Maybe if I took my own advice I’d have my shit together more. As it stands, I’m just going to keep swimming.”

And I’m done.

“Okay, Dory, on that note...” I get up, sliding on my sweatshirt and grabbing my gym bag. “Same time next week?” I call, heading to the exit.

“Yup, see you then, and good luck with your guy. You’re going to need it.”

I throw a hand over my shoulder. “Yeah, yeah,” I grumble, his laugh following me out the door.

I’m going to need more than luck. I think I’m going to need a goddamn miracle.

TWENTY

Paxton

I don’t know if you’d call this the miracle I was hoping for, or if you could chop it up to Ma’s meddling, but either way, I’m not going to pretend I’m not thrilled about all this time with Wyatt.

Paxton and I have been pushed together a few times over the last couple of weeks because of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and other gatherings with the town. We haven’t had any major breakthroughs, though, but we talk for longer than a few minutes every time we’re together, so I feel like we’re getting somewhere.

He doesn’t have the same hostility he did when I first arrived, and that’s a win in my book. I’ve also been making it a point to do little gestures for him when I can, like saving him the last piece of pecan pie during Thanksgiving, knowing it’s his favorite. I also rescued him from his nana when she was trying to pull gossip from him with Birdie and Mae. I think he appreciated that the most, although he’d never tell me. I’ve been doing everything I can to try and show him I care… Too bad my guy doesn’t like gifts. I’d be showering him with all the flowers, candy, and presents he could ever want instead.

My guy.

I know I shouldn’t think like that, but I do. He’smine. He’s making me work for it, and that’s okay with me. I’m in this for the long run.Forever.

Now we’re together again after being recruited to work on the town’s holiday float, and when I say recruited, I mean forced together by our moms. They aren’t as slick as they think they are, but you won’t hear me complain. I’m stoked for it.Give me all the time with Wyatt, please.

Every year in between Thanksgiving and Christmas our town, along with a few neighboring ones, comes together and hosts a winter carnival. There’s a mini parade at the beginning, and then a fair with rides, games, and tons of food. It’s one of the biggest events we do for the year, and I know everyone is looking forward to it.

I’m a little nervous considering I’ve never built a float before and don’t have a single artistic bone in my body, but if it means spending time with Wyatt, I’ll take it. I can only hope the float doesn’t turn out like shit.

Speaking of which... I search for Wyatt, realizing I haven’t seen him in a while. I spot him near Billy, nailing what looks to be a giant cardboard cutout of Santa to a stack of wooden crates.

I grab the box of garland, heading to where they are.

“I don’t know where this goes.” I should, considering I’ve been told three times already, but I need hands-on directions when it comes to decorating. This is not my thing.

“I think your mom said it’s supposed to be wrapped around the rails?” Billy says, even though it comes off more like a question. He looks about as lost as I am. Great!

“Okay. Should I twist it around each pole individually, or go down all three and back up?” I don’t even know if that makes sense. I need a grown-up.

---