Page 15 of Return Policy

“We could go to the Van Gogh museum?” Jake suggests. “You can get a new postcard to start a wall inourapartment,” he tells Leah.

She rolls her eyes and smirks towards him. “It’s notoursyet.”

“It will be soon.” He winks and I giggle, excited they’re really doing the damn thing.

Twenty minutes later, we arrive at an open, grassy area where the Van Gogh museum is located. The first things I notice are sunflowers—sunflowers in every goddamn inch of the outdoor space.

“Oh yeah!” Leah exclaims, now holding hands with Jake. “I forgot theVan Gogh and the Sunflowersexhibition is this month.”

My lips curve upwards at the thousands of beautiful flowers, and my mind wanders to a blue-eyed, brown-haired mystery guy with a smile that stole all the breath from my lungs. Part of me is thankful I didn’t learn so much as his name, because the last thing I need right now is to get attached to another person who will end up breaking me.

I know not every guy is like he-who-shall-not-be-named… but I have to protect myself if there is even the tiniest of possibilities. It’s just not worth the risk.

I can’t help but think something about him was different though. All the things I shared, and there wasn’t even a single moment he seemed judgmental.

Maybe he’s just a really excellent actor.

Hell, who am I to talk? I’m putting on the performance of a lifetime these days.

6

ELIJAH

“Did you snort too much glue as a kid?” Theo asks Noah, who sits across from him. “There’s no chance in hell Tampa will beat Pittsburgh this year. No motherfuckin’ chance.”

Noah leans casually against the booth. “Nah, Pittsburgh blew all their money on a fancy ass coach rather than stacking their team with talented players this year. You’ll see.”

A typical Friday night: drinking beer with the boys, eating cheap pizza at Lazy Moon, and talking about the one thing we all love more than life itself: football.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out to see “Mom” flashing across the screen. I excuse myself from the table and tap the green button as I make my way outside the loud restaurant.

“Hey, Mama,” I answer with a smile tugging at my lips.

“Hey, honey,” she says cheerfully. “How’s it going? How’s practice been?”

“It’s actually… It’s going really well.” I kick my shoe against the ground. “I think I might get a decent amount of playing time this year.”

“That’s great! I’m so proud of you.”

“Yeah, how are you? Are y’all doing okay?”

“Oh, don’t worry about us, Eli. We can take care of ourselves.”

“I know, Mama.” A heavy breath escapes my lips. “I just hate that I’m so far away.” While I’m thankful for the distance, in the same breath, my stomach aches because I know how long it would take me to get home if I were really needed.Six Hours. Six excruciatingly long hours.

“Hey, we talked about this. You’re exactly where you need to be right now. Okay?”

“I know but—”

“No ifs, ands, or buts. We’re doing fine here, and you need to focus on school and football. Enjoy being young and spending time with your friends.” A stinging feeling settles in my stomach. “You can’t be worrying about us all the time. Nama’s right next door. She’s always here for me if I need something. I’ll be fine. Promise not to worry?”

“I can’t promise that.” I hold my breath, wishing she’d ask me to come home as much as I appreciate her telling me to stay put. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure, Elijah,” she says firmly.

“Okay… well, only if you’resure…Love you, Mama.”

“Love you too, honey. Call me after your classes start Monday and tell me all about them, okay?”

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