Page 25 of Forever Home

“Madi, are you sure you’re okay? You’re really quiet.” I glance up at Kylie, rolling my eyes with a smile as I plop down on the sofa next to her.

“Yeah, I was just thinking about that day…” I reply before turning to Knox. “You remember when we became friends?”

He hesitates for a moment. His nose wrinkles as he ponders over the question and then nods with realization of what I’m talking about. “I think so… wasn’t that in kindergarten when that boy who used to bully you was about to put gum in your hair?”

Scoffing, I take a bite of my pizza. “Yeah, it was. He was mean to me all the time. But that was the day that Jaxson stopped him from doing that. You guys came to my rescue and Jaxson pushed the kid out of the way so he couldn’t do it.”

“That’s right! Gosh, it was so long ago, I can’t believe you remembered that,” he replies, shaking his head. “You know what I remember the most about when we were growing up?”

Kylie and I both look at Knox, who shoves the last part of his pizza into his mouth before taking a sip of his sweet tea. “The day the treehouse was done being built.”

“Ugh, you boys got there first and then wouldn’t let us come up. I think it was Asher who ended up being the nice one. He had a crush on Sam, even back then. And honestly, I bet he still does now.”

“You know…” Knox says, leaning back into his spot on the sofa. “I always thought those two were meant to be.”

“Really?” Kylie asks, shaking her head. “I mean I know they were together for a long time, but he really hurt her back then. Even if Asher says he didn’t do anything.”

“I know, but just because he made a mistake once doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve a second chance. Who knows, maybe seeing Sam again was just what he needed.”

As soon as I’m done eating, I glance down at my phone and take note of the time. It’s already getting late, and as much as I’d love to carry this on all night, I can’t. The bakery needs me tomorrow, as does my mother.

“I’m going to have to get going in a minute,” I tell them, standing to my feet as I make my way towards the large black trash bag we’d been filling since I got here.

“Oh dang, that sucks,” Kylie pipes up. “I was hoping we could hang out a little longer.”

“I know, but Mom really needs me tomorrow. I might be able to cut out after eleven though if you’re free to hang out.”

She smiles as she stands to her feet and pulls me into a tight embrace. “I’m so glad that we got to spend time together today. Even if it was packing up Mrs. Kendall’s old things.”

“Me too.”

“Hey,” Knox says, wagging his finger at me with a mischievous grin on the corner of his lips. “Before you go, I want you to answer me one thing.”

Growing up, when Knox would ask questions like that it was typically not a good thing. The last time he had asked me a question like that it was at the coffee shop—and Mrs. Rita, the lady from the church, was standing behind him when he asked me what I thought about cupping balls when giving a blow job.

Every time I see the woman now, my face instantly turns red.

“I’m hesitant to ask, but go on.”

“Do you believe in soulmates?” His question throws me completely off guard because it isn’t something I’d ever seriously thought to consider. Of course, I’ve always wanted to be with someone but it’s not like where we live is streaming with sexy individuals looking to hook up.

It’s Willowcreek for God’s sake.

“I like to think soulmates exist, just that sometimes we are all too oblivious to who they are,” I reply as I grab my purse and start making my way towards the door.

The idea of soulmates and fated relationships is not exactly what I learned growing up. Though, part of me can’t deny the possibility because the moment Knox asked me that question, my mind instantly drifted to Jaxson.

“Who knows…” I finally let out, stopping in my tracks to glance at him from over my shoulder. “Maybe one day we will all have found ours. Just like you have, Knox. Not all of us are as lucky as you right off the bat.”

“Very true,” he replies, leaning back into his spot once more. “But I’m sure you will.”

The cryptic message refuses to unroot itself from my brain as I walk out the front door. I’m not entirely sure why what he says bothers me as much as it does, but I can’t help but wonder if maybe he knows something I don’t.

Chapter Eleven: Jaxson

“Babe, are we still going to the market today?”

The soft subtle voice of a woman causes me to freeze as I slowly turn from the window I’d been staring out of for the last ten minutes. The voice, eerily familiar, sends my mind tumbling through where I’d heard it before. Moving slowly, I make my way towards the ensuite bathroom attached to my bedroom.

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