Page 133 of Before You
“Well, are you going to tell me?”
She laughs, her cheeks flushing a red hue. “I was planning on it, but now I feel like it needs to be a bigger deal, like a drum roll or something extravagant is needed.” I drum my hands lightly on her back, causing her smile to grow. “I’m going to apply to culinary school.”
My eyes bug because I definitely thought Marley would pick something related to music, but culinary school is . . . aninterestingchoice. She’s so awful at cooking, but if this is what she wants to do, maybe we can take some classes together or something?Shit, I need to say something. What do I say?
Marley tucks her face into my chest, her entire body dissolving into shaking laughter. “I—you s-should see the lookon y-your face,” Marley says, and I relax, realizing she’s fucking with me. “JJ, I’m awful in the kitchen. If a culinary school ever let me in, it’d only be because I’m a Benson and I can afford to bribe my way in.”
“You got me,” I say, laughing with her because I can only imagine what my face looked like. “What did you actually pick?”
“I picked music therapy,” she says, lifting her head to look at me again, and this is the answer I was anticipating the first time.
“Oh, thank god. I think it’s perfect for you.”
I’ve definitely said the right thing as her eyes sparkle. “Really? You think it’s a good idea? I’ve been playing more in front of Bria and Charlie, but I thought I could keep practicing in front of you to get better.”
“Just tell me when you want me to listen and I’ll make time. I’ll support whatever major you decide to switch to as long as it makes you happy. You don’t need me to tell you if it’s a good idea or not because we both know that you already knew it was if you picked i—” I can barely get the words out before Marley is kissing me.
“Je t’aime,”31 Marley says after pulling away.
Hearing her speak French makes my heart race in my chest.“Tout ce qui s’est passé avant que tu n’entres dans ma vie me préparait à t’aimer, et j’ai hâte de passer le reste de ma vie à essayer d’être digne de ton amour.”32
Marley’s bright blue eyes have unshed tears in them as it’s her turn to hold my face in her hands.“Tu es déjà digne.”33
EPILOGUE
I’M SEVEN MONTHS clean.
I didn’t think it was possible or that I deserved it, but my family and Marley’s have taught me I can do it. It’s harder than I ever could’ve imagined, but I’m clean.
And today, Marley and I are going to fly to New York for a couple of days before going with her family to their villa in Italy before my preseason training starts at Beaumont.
“Marley, are you ready?” I call out, zipping up my suitcase. Mirabelle came over to say goodbye just as I had finally convinced Marley to finish packing, and now they’re busy talking about the baby shower happening next month before football season starts.
She and Henry eloped in Vegas last month, and when they got back, they told everyone Mirabelle was pregnant. My dad actually cried he was so happy for them. Marley’s had a blast going shopping with Mira and my mom to pick out baby clothes and helping her design the nursery. I’m actually wondering if I should be worried she’ll catch baby fever from Mira.
Grabbing my suitcase, I carry it down the stairs to set it by the front door when I notice that the back door is open. I roll my eyes, knowing I’m practically going to have to drag Marley to go pack. She hates to do it, but the one time I tried to do it for her, I apparently packed everything wrong. I learned my lesson, but if she doesn’t go pack now, I’ll have no choice but to do it for her again.
My mom, Marley, and Mirabelle are sitting in the chairs on the back patio, except now Kaitlyn is with them, taking a break from surfing with Hunter and Henry. It looks like there are some awesome swells today, and I’m jealous I’m not out there with them.
“Hi, honey,” Mom says, patting the spot next to her for me to sit down in.
“Mom, are you distracting my girlfriend from packing?”
Marley groans, covering her face with her hands. “But we’re talking about the baby shower. We’re going to get these cute little cupcakes with mermaids and mermen on them.”
“Nobody is saying you can’t come right back here, even though JJ has to go back to California,” Mirabelle adds, rubbing her growing stomach. “Maybe we like you better than him,” she teases.
I stick my tongue out at her. “Just like your twins are going to love me more than you.”
Her jaw drops. “Take it back.”
“Nope.”
Mom pinches my arm hard, and I yelp. “JJ,” she warns as Marley shoots me a disapproving frown. How did I turn into the enemy here? She was mean first.
“Fine, I’ll take it back. Your kids are going to love you more than me, but I’m going to be their favorite uncle.”
Mirabelle nods. “Makes sense since you’re my favorite brother.”
