Page 65 of Jessica's Hero
“Is it okay?” Concern creases his brow. “I thought if you realized how many?—”
“It’s more than okay.” Sniffling against the burgeoning tears, I kiss him hard. “It’s wonderful.”
“We have all your favorite foods,” he explains. “On the buffet. And I remember you telling me about going to the arcade with your mom when you were young. So I thought the games would be fun. Plus we have a DJ, and presents, and fireworks later…”
“Fireworks?”
“Fireworks,” Nora affirms as she reaches my side. She pulls me in for a quick hug, which I know from hearing her story is no small thing. “Kane asked Finn to help, so they should be pretty good. Finn’s just outside doing a final check, and then he’ll be back in with Hanna.”
I know Finn is Blade and Arrow’s resident explosives expert, and Hanna is his very sweet and talented wife. She takes incredible photos that get featured in magazines and on websites all over the world. We’re not close friends, but I’ve always liked them, which makes it even more meaningful that they came to help make my party special.
“Jess.” Thea appears in front of me with a small gift bag in hand. She hugs me and says with a smile, “Happy birthday, old lady.”
Some of the tension in my chest releases. “I’m only two months older than you.”
“Still older,” she retorts. Then she laughs. “I was so jealous of you back when you finally turned eighteen. I wished I could be older so we could sneak off to Canada to buy beer like we always talked about.”
“I brought you some back. That really strong stuff. Remember?”
Kane coughs and gives me a mock-stern glare. “Are you telling me you smuggled beer across the border? And you both drank while you were underage?”
Thea’s cheeks go pink. “It was only a six-pack. And we barely drank one each because it tasted so terrible.”
“I’m just kidding,” he replies with a chuckle. “You don’t think you’re the only one who made some trips across the border before turning twenty-one?”
“Did I hear something about illegal smuggling?” Oliver asks as he joins our little group. To Kane, he asks, “Should I be worried about my partner’s bootlegging history?”
Shea punches Oliver’s arm. “Stop. This is Jess’s party. Don’t make it weird.”
“I was joking.” He smiles at me before lifting his chin at Kane. “I’m guilty of the same thing. I had some friends at school up in Potsdam, and every time I’d visit, we’d take a trip into Canada. Just for the sights, of course.”
“Of course.”
As the banter surrounds me, more of my nerves dissolve. This isn’t scary, talking to a group of people like this. No one is eyeballing my scars or giving me judging glares. They just all look happy to be here. Happy to be talking to me.
“I was thinking we could check out the games first,” Kane suggests. “Maybe win some prizes. Then check out the buffet, have some drinks, do some dancing…”
“And the fireworks,” Nora adds. “Don’t forget those.”
I turn to Kane, my heart full to bursting. “It all sounds amazing. Whatever you want to do?—”
“No.” His gaze turns solemn. “This is about you, Jess. And whatever you want to do goes.”
“Games it is,” I reply. “I’d like to see about winning a little stuffed animal.”
And not one with a razor embedded in it, hopefully.
No. I slam a steel door shut in my mind.No thinking about crappy stuff tonight. Just the wonderful surprise Kane arranged for me.
Just as we’re about to head across the ballroom to the game area, Thea tugs on my hand. Quietly, she says, “I know there’s a gift table. But… I wanted to give this to you personally. If that’s okay?”
Kane looks between us, an introspective look in his eyes. Then he steps back and says, “I’ll wait for you over there, sweetheart.”
Once he’s gone, Thea tugs me over to the side, so no one else is around us. Then she hands me the gift bag. “It’s not anything big. But… I’ve had this at my house. And I thought… I just hope you like it.”
As I reach my hand into the bag and rummage through the tissue paper, I say, “You didn’t have to get me anything. Really.”
Her brows jump up. “Of course I did. That’s what friends do.”
