Page 50 of Because You Loved Me

Levi doesn’t disappoint. He opens the last box and jumps back. “Ew. Who ordered pineapple?”

Tobias snorts, and I totally lose it. “It’s mine,” I say between giggles.

“Pineapple?” Micah says. “Gross. How can you eat that on pizza?”

Cricket playfully hits his arm. “It’s good. Why are you being so judgy?”

He turns to her. “You eat pineapple on pizza? That’s disgusting. How have I never known this about you?”

“There’s a lot about me you don’t know,” Cricket mutters under her breath. She jumps up and grabs a slice for her plate. “I love it. Ignore the haters. They don’t know what they’re missing.”

“I want the pineapple,” Skyler says, and the room erupts into laughter. I get her a small slice and grab one for me.

As the men clamor for the pepperoni and sausage, I take a bite. I haven’t had pizza in a long time. I don’t eat out much, and ordering a whole pizza just for me seems silly. The flavor instantly brings me back to my childhood, sitting on the porch with my grandmother, staying up late in the summer to watch the fireflies. I fight to breathe normally.

Tobias stills and our gaze connects across the table. He doesn’t say anything, but his careful assessment tells me he sees my pain. I try to school my features. I’m fine. I don’t need to think about the past. I eat another bite and shove my feelings away.

Micah shifts in his chair, a half-smile on his face. He and Cricket seem to have a non-verbal conversation of their own. Cricket shoves his shoulder, and he grins. I set my pizza on my paper plate. “You look extra happy. What’s up?”

“My YouTube channel got monetized yesterday, and I can’t believe how much I’m making.” His grin widens. “Seventy dollars a day. Can you believe it? That’s more than I made busting my butt at Shake it Up when I only made minimum wage.”

“That’s awesome,” I say and hold up my hand. Micah gives me a high-five. “I checked out your channel the other day and I’m impressed. I listened to a few songs, and they’re really good.”

Micah’s ears turn pink. “You listened?”

“Yes. You have a great voice.” I actually listened to quite a few. I can see why his channel is growing in popularity.

“Thanks.” His blush spreads to his neck. “I’ll have enough for my new recording equipment in no time.” He takes a huge bite, and Cricket smiles at him like she thinks he’s the best thing since someone put pineapple on pizza.

“Way to go, Bro,” Levi says. “You’re doing great. I always knew you’d be a star.”

I take a sip of water and motion to Micah. “I didn’t recognize the songs on your channel. Did you write them?”

He leans back in his seat, nodding. “Yeah.”

“That’s awesome. You have amazing talent.” I pick up my water.

His blush deepens. “Thanks, Kiki.”

“I have good news, too.” Levi wipes his mouth with his napkin. “I got the job at the diner.”

“Peachy Keen?” I lean against the table.

“Yes.” He sets his pizza down. “And they said they’d love for me to make them my biscuit muffins to see if they want to add them to their menu.”

“Nice! I’m sure they’ll love them. Will you get a cut of the sales?” I ask.

Levi waves his hand. “I’m not asking for that. I just want people to enjoy them. I think it’d be cool for a business to actually sell something I created.”

“I bet they’ll sell more of your creations after trying them.” I grin at him, and he seems pleased.

After dinner I help Tobias clean off the table. “Want to see who’s in the mood for a movie? Tell my brothers not to fight over which one and remind them it has to be appropriate for Skyler.”

I enter the family room. Skyler’s on the floor coloring the racecar again. Levi’s disappeared, and Micah and Cricket are leaving the room. “Do you guys want to watch a movie with us?”

Micah hitches up his backpack. “Love to, but we can’t.”

Cricket hugs her book to her chest. “We’ve got a test tomorrow so we’re going to go study.”

---