Page 103 of Searching for Nova

“Is she the grandkid?” the lady asks Ted.

“Yeah. You met her the other night.”

“What’s your name?” she asks, looking at me.

“Nova.”

“Noelle?” she says.

“Not Noelle,” Ted says. “You deaf? She said Nova.” He spells it out for her. “It’s a stupid name. Johnny named her after his car, a piece of shit he fixed up back in high school. He made her in the back seat so he thought he was being all clever naming her that.”

I didn’t know that, and didn’t need to. I knew I was named after my dad’s car, but I didn’t know I was conceived in it.

Ted gets up from his chair. “Let’s go.”

“Aren’t you gonna clean up?” the lady says to him.

“What the hell for? You think I’m trying to impress them senile old ladies at bingo?”

“Never mind,” she mutters as she heads to the door.

I’m guessing this will be their last date. She’s clearly annoyed with him.

When they leave, I watch my new TV and eat the food Easton brought over last night. He got way too much and it’s all my favorite foods. I’m surprised he remembered what I like.

I miss him. I wish I could see him tonight.

This is why I didn’t want to get involved with him. I knew if I did, I’d miss him and want to be with him, and I hate that feeling. It means I’m letting my heart get involved, which I didn’t want to happen. But it already has, which is why I’m missing him like crazy right now.

A text dings on my phone. It’s from Easton.

What are you doing?

Watching my new TV.

Can I join you?

If you were here.

Go open the door.

I stare at my phone, reading it again to see if I missed something. Is he saying he’s here?

Racing to the door, I fling it open and see Easton standing there. I’m so happy to see him I hug him without even saying hello.

“I guess this means you’re okay with me just showing up?” he says, hugging me back.

“I might’ve missed you,” I say, pulling away.

He smiles. “I missed you too.” He comes in the apartment and I catch a whiff of his cologne. He always smells really good, and looks really good. He’s got on jeans and a black hoodie with his leather jacket over it.

“Ted isn’t here,” I say, noticing Easton looking for him. “He went out with that lady again.”

“Must be serious.” He takes his jacket off and sets it on the couch.

“It’s not. I think tonight will be their last date.” I stand in front of him. “So what happened? I thought you were going to a party tonight.”

“I did, but I left early. I didn’t want to wait until tomorrow to see you.”

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