“You and me both,” Mom mumbles as she grabs a diet soda out of the fridge, laughing. “Never thought Austin would be the one head over heels like this.”
“Hey!” I wave a hand. “Hi. Still here. We can talk about Austin or we can talktoAustin. I know I prefer the latter.”
Levi takes a can of diet soda from our mother and he turns so he is fully facing me. “So, go on, then. Tell us what you need.”
“I’ve thought about this long and hard, and I don’t want you guys to talk me out of it, okay? I need to do something that shakes things up for me.”
I watch as their eyes meet, then they smirk at the same time as if they’ve practiced for ages to coordinate that tiny effort. Family.
Levi leans in closer. “I’m listening. I’m also available to help as needed.”
“I’m liking the sound of this,” Mom agrees, scooting her chair closer as well. “If it’s about Bex, are we doing a grand gesture?”
“More along the lines of making a decision,” I respond.
Mom’s eyes soften with understanding. “Austin, you have to remember that life isn’t always about choosing between one thing and another. Sometimes, it’s about finding a balance that works for you. And sometimes, you can have both if you’re willing to work for it.”
Levi nods in agreement. “Mom’s right. You’ve always been someone who dives headfirst into everything. Maybe this is just another opportunity to figure out how to blend what you love with what you need.”
“Andthatis it.” I nod slowly, feeling the weight of their support. “I guess I’m just afraid of making the wrong choice. What if I go back to Tampa and it’s not what I hoped it would be? What if I’m not ready for that level of commitment again in football but I am ready to shift that energy in a different direction?”
Levi leans forward, his expression serious. “Listen, Austin. No decision comes with a guarantee. But you’ve worked hard to get to where you are, and you’ve got people who care about you and support you. Whatever you choose, just make sure it’s a decision you can live with. And if things don’t go as planned, remember that you’ve got the strength to adapt and overcome.”
Mom reaches over and places a hand on mine, her touch warm and reassuring. “Follow what feels right for you, and don’t be afraid to take a chance.”
I look between them, feeling a surge of gratitude for their wisdom and support. “Thank you. This does help. It tells me that I need more than a favor.”
Mom’s eyes light up again. “We’re back to the grand gesture?”
“Kind of,” I say, my line of sight flicking to my brother. “However, what I think I need, and want, will require more than a grand gesture. It’s going to need some serious magic.”
“Woo hoo! I love it.” Mom claps her hands as she reaches for her phone. “Where do we start?”
EIGHTEEN
Bex
Nothing beats the first sip of your pumpkin spice latte in the morning. There is something so welcoming and familiar about the flavor, it’s like a warm hug for your mouth. Everything could be falling apart around me and I’d still be able to sit here and sip on this drink and enjoy every sip.
My fold-out chair isn’t the most comfortable, but seeing as I decided when I woke up that today is the day I need to meet Jared, it’s the one thing I could drag out to the mailboxes with me.
Today’s theme song? Lou Reed’s“I’m Waiting for the Man” works.
The sound of a breath of air being exhaled pulls my attention to my feet, where Harley sits. She’d spent the last few nights in the house, curled up at my feet. It’s to the point now that my guilt is assuaged; the pet sitter knows if she isn’t with her, she’s here. Eventually, the owners will want her back, and I’ll deal with that then, but for now I’ve got a dog.
In the distance, I can see a car making its way down the old country road toward our section of land. The car is red, bright fire engine red, so I know it isn’t Jared. He drives a beat-up station wagon that doubles as the postal car. This car looks familiar, though.
Sitting back in my seat, I let my head hit the back of the chair as I stare up at the sky, thoughts of Austin tripping through my head: Austin going to Florida. Austin being on the road again. Austin back in football, which makes me happy, but that means—
A horn maniacally honking breaks my focus, taking my attention back to the car. The same red car that is now slowing down as it comes closer to my house, putting on its blinker. I wave, knowing with certainty it’s Georgie behind the wheel.
“What are you doing sitting out here by the mailboxes on this beautiful sunny morning?” Georgie asks as she slams her car door shut and walks over to join me.
“Having coffee,” I say, sweeping my arm around me as if this is a luxurious cafe where I await her company. “I’d offer you a chair but I didn’t bring another one with me. Sorry.”
“Please,” she says, laughing. With her own flourish, she holds up her keys and taps a button on her key fob which opens the trunk of her car. She pulls out a folding chair of her own, closes the trunk, and joins me. “I am a woman who is always prepared…and who also went camping not long ago.”
“I see,” I say with a chuckle. My fingers are busy spinning my new fidget ring as she parks her butt beside me. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this surprise visit?”
