Page 57 of Her Brother's Keeper

She gave me a dirty look and I wrapped my fingers around my keys in my pocket until they dug into my flesh uncomfortably. I checked my phone for like the millionth time and sighed out harshly.

Still nothing.

I stopped just beyond my car and had to push through the kids surrounding it and taking pictures. Some were laughing and pointing and I felt my heart sink.What did Chelsea and her fucking friends do to it?Was my first thought, but when I got through the crowd, I just stopped. It wasn’t that. It wasn’t her at all…

This had to be Nox.

A larger than life teddy bear sat in the passenger seat, buckled in and ready to go, I could see his rounded head and ears just barely over the dozens and dozens of red roses that packed the back seat. I carefully stepped to the driver’s side and unlocked the car, which I wassureI had locked when I’d left it that morning.

Despite how cold the weather was, the smell of roses rolled out to greet me. I shook my head and plucked the envelope taped to my steering wheel off of it, written on the front wasI bet you thought I forgot…

I opened it to a beautifully hand drawn card, and when I opened that, read the message penned inside:

I could never forget you on a day like today. It’s been killing me maintaining silence all day. I wanted to surprise you and let you see just how loved you are. Call me.

Nox.

I put my bag in the trunk and shooed my classmates away, taking a particular bit of satisfaction in the fact that Chelsea was glaring at me with her single rose from whichever basketball player she was sucking off now.

I didn’t wave or even acknowledge her, instead, I got into my car and started it up so it could warm up while I phoned Nox. He picked up on the first ring as if he was waiting for me and I think that melted my heart even more.

“Hey, Angel.”

“Oh my god, I love you,” I said breathlessly, the first happy tears sneaking free. I was getting a good look at the giant chenille teddy bear and it had a motorcycle vest or cut on it. A Sacred Hearts one and it said Nox on the little name patch.

It was ridiculous and goofy, and just soperfect.

“You okay?” Nox asked laughing.

“You know I am! I’m surprised you didn’t get arrested breaking into my car.”

“Nah, I sort of pre-arranged it with your Vice Principal the last time I was there.”

“Mr. Hunter was in on this?”

“Not exactly, I just told him not to call the cops and have me arrested if he saw me breaking into your car on Valentine’s.”

I laughed, and murmured, “I wish I could see you tonight.”

“Night’s not over yet, Angel.”

“That’s a bit dangerous isn’t it?” I asked. My birthday was something like three and a half or four more weeks away.

“Probably, but I like to live dangerously.”

“I miss you,” I told him and he was quiet for a half a second.

“I miss you, too. This is taking forever,” he sighed harshly.

“You always want what you can’t quite have, don’t you?” I said.

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Won’t be long now,” I promised and I heard him smile, his breath hitching in a small laugh.

“Twenty-four more days.”

“You’re counting?” I asked surprised.

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