Page 61 of Rewriting the Story

I don’t break eye contact as I speak. “Why do you think you’re not enough as you are, Amelia? Why do you assume nobody would break about a hundred traffic laws to get to you? Because I sure as hell did tonight.”

“I’ve always felt…different, I guess. I didn’t make friends easily when I was younger, and when I did, I wasn't ever anyone’s favorite friend. I was never anybody’s first choice in any of the relationships I had growing up. I should have seen that coming, I guess. I was never my parents' first choice.”

I sigh heavily as I reach for her hand, surprise coursing through my body when she takes it, squeezing. “Did you tell your parents what happened?”

She shakes her head.

“Amelia, baby.” I stop myself, because that term of endearment just slipped out without me thinking. “Why didn't you call them?”

“Because I’m fine,” she says, as if that’s enough. “They wouldn’t care anyway.”

“Don’t say that.”

“It’s the truth, Hen.” She swipes a tear from her face as soon as it falls. “Steven has always been the favorite. He was born first, and my parents were actually trying to have kids when he was conceived. I was an accident, the surprise they didn't want or see coming, and that stayed with me my entire life. Steven was a multi-sport athlete growing up. He was the popular one with a bunch of friends my parents knew by first name. He was the academic standout—the one getting all the awards—and I existed in the shadow of his greatness. Steven was the one my parents bragged about, and I was the daughter who couldn't keep friends. I was the daughter who couldn’t wear certain clothes because I didn't like the feeling of them. I was the problem child. I was the second choice to everyone and everything in my life.”

“Mills—”

She cuts me off, clearly emotional, and I wish I could take all these notions she has about herself away. “I don’t know why I’m getting so worked up about this.”

“Because it hurts. Believe it or not, you are still a human being, no matter how hard you try to hide behind those walls.” I grip her hand a little tighter. “And do you want to know a secret?”

She nods.

“You’re always going to be my first choice.”

The look on her face as those words settle into her mind might be enough to kill me. She’s never heard those words before, but I mean them with every fiber of my soul. I’d do anything for her, and she knew that, but I think this is the first time she’s really hearing it. I think this is the first time she believes she’s someone’s first choice.

“Really?” she says as disbelief flashes across her face. “Because you know me, Hen. I’m a handful, and sometimes, my brain is so loud, I can’t figure a way out. I can bea lot—”

“Amelia Ellis,” I say as I grab her free hand. “You’re my favorite person on the planet, so yes, even when your brain is loud, even when you think you’re not enough, you’ll always be my first choice. No matter what.”

“Thank you,” she whispers as I wipe her tears.

“I mean every word,” I remind her. “If you ever doubt that again, just come to me, and I’ll remind you how much I like being in your presence, no matter the clouds in the way.”

She takes a deep breath, trying to balance herself back out after the emotional whiplash of the last few hours.

“Do you want to know something?” she asks me, her voice lower.

“Always.”

“You’re my first choice too.”

“Is that so?” I say, my tone playful so she doesn't feel as awkward.

Another nod, her curly hair moving around the bandage on her head. “When Paige asked me if I needed anything earlier, I didn't even hesitate to ask for you.”

Her candor surprises me. Tonight has opened my eyes more and more to what Amelia and I are to one another. Well, I always knew what she was to me—everything—but I’m starting to understand I might be the same for her.

“I’m glad you did,” I say as I hold my arms out for her. She turns, her body sliding right into my arms as I close them around her. “Now, try and get some sleep. I’ll be here, so you’ll be safe.”

Another nod. “I know, Hen. I think I’ll always feel safe with you.”

I reach for her lamp and turn it to the dimmest setting as she adjusts how she’s sleeping against me, getting more comfortable in my arms, as if she’s always belonged here.

If it were up to me, she would always be.

Because to me, Amelia Ellis is the brightest star in the galaxy. To me, she’s a book I never want to put down. To me, she’ll always be the girlwho stole my attention that day at the concert, and since then, I haven't wanted to look at anything else but her.

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