Page 8 of Uniquely in Love

“That sounds nice, Mom.”

She nodded, and after giving me another hug, I headed into the living room where everyone else my age was gathered.

Ellie was sitting on the couch next to her older sister as they chatted about Abigail’s fashion line and the designs she was working on.

For the first time in my life, I felt like an outsider looking in on my family, on the people I’d grown up with. It was my fault. The distance I’d put between me and everyone here felt necessary back then, partially because my heart ached just being in the same room as her after everything that had happened between us.

Beau handed me a beer, and I eagerly chugged it down, not wanting to be sober as I had to stare at the girl who got away sitting across from me, her smile bright.

Because despite everything, all I wanted to do was to sit by Ellie’s side. To hear about every minute from the last four years.

The daisies I’d given her were in a vase on the counter, alongside a vase of white roses. Suddenly, my flowers felt dumb. I should have known her family would have given her flowers. And yet, a gift like Penelope’s was too intimate for my ex-girlfriend. We weren’t together.

I needed to get over her. That was what this trip wasabout.Closure. I finished the rest of the beer, guzzling it down before going and grabbing another one.

“Where are you staying tonight?” That was Pen, plopping next to Ellie. I tried my hardest not to look over at the two of them, pretending I was listening to the conversation Beau and Zach were having about football.

“Thought I’d spent one last night in the apartment and get a head start on packing up tomorrow. That way, I can be out before the lease ends.”

My sister nodded. “Yeah. That makes sense. I’m figuring I’ll stick around here tonight. Especially with Owen at home. Maybe I can bribe mom to make cinnamon rolls.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Ellie fidgeting with the edge of her sweater. It was her tell that she was nervous, and I wondered if the thought ofmebeing back was making her uncomfortable.

We needed to get over this. We couldn’t keep avoiding being in the same room for the rest of our lives. Not when our families did everything together.

“What do you think, O?” Zachary asked, elbowing me.

“Huh?” I focused on the guys. “Sorry, what was that?”

“We were just talking about going out tomorrow. Celebrate all being in town at the same time.” Beau raised an eyebrow.

“Oh. Right.” I shrugged. “Sounds fun.” A few drinks and some good company would definitely help me get my mind off the girl who had run into my arms like she’d never left, right? I hoped so. Something had to help this empty ache in my chest.

She doesn’t want to be with you.Not like I wanted, anyway. It was the reminder I needed to steel my spine. To lock my feelings away behind a brick wall. To forgive and forget.

I could be the fun-loving, cheerful guy I’d always been.

Ellie Bradford might have broken my heart four years ago,but starting tonight, I was getting closure, and then I’d move on.

It was time to stop dwelling on the past.

THREE

Owen

THEN

Junior Year

Hey, Skater Girl,” I said, grinning as I leaned up against a locker at our high school.

Ellie gave me a small smile. “Hi, Owen.”

“First day, huh?” It was a question, but I already knew the answer. She’d turned fourteen this summer, and it was both her and Penelope’s first day of freshman year. My sister, of course, had missed the cut-off with an October birthday, so she was almost a year older than the blonde in front of me. “It’ll be great, I promise.”

She nodded, still quiet.

“Where’s your first class?” I asked, cocking my head as I watched her. I’d never seen her like this before. Fidgety and almost…nervous? The Ellie I knew was a ball of sunshine, plus she was always so poised and elegant on the ice. “Maybe we’re heading in the same direction, and I can walk you there.”

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