Page 88 of The Best Kind of Forever
“Uh, so just to clarify, I’m not being traded?” I ask, bearing a brutal gust of wind before unlocking my car door and hunkering down to safety.
“No, you’re not.”
I pump my fist into the air before recomposing myself. “Thank you, Coach.”
And in classic Coach fashion, that impenetrable mask of professionalism has sprung back up. “Don’t make me regret it, okay?”
I turn my key in the ignition, knowing exactly where my next destination is. With the adrenaline from the interview still thrumming through me, there’s no way in hell I’m going back to the house.
“I won’t,” I promise.
I’ve got my life back, but there’s still a piece missing—the most important piece of all.
41
IT’S A FOREVER KIND OF THING
AERIS
“Did he just—”
“Yeah,” Lila says.
“In front of—”
“Yeah.”
Should I be happy? Mad? Hayes Hollings just told the whole world the truth live on the internet.
Lila tuts. “He really just did that. I didn’t think he had the balls,” she exclaims, impressed.
I swallow to wet my throat, unable to stop staring at the TV screen. Bristol had texted Lila to turn on YouTube and go to theKnights of the Sound Booth’s homepage. Initially, when she sat me down for some casual watching, I was expecting some cat videos at best, but nothing like this.
My stomach recoils as full-blown terror runs up the length of my spine.
“Li, am I dreaming? Slap me.”
Lila shakes her perfectly preened mane. “Aeris, I’m not going to slap you.”
Okay, maybe it’s a good thing she didn’t actually slap me, because that girl has a killer arm on her. I settle for an indoor-appropriate scream and a faceplant into my couch’s throw pillow.
“What do I do?” I mumble against the cushion.
“Do you forgive him?” Lila asks, rubbing my back with a supportive hand.
Do I forgive him? That’s a loaded question. I…think I do. I didn’t ask him to take responsibility for his mistakes, or to embarrass himself in front of the entire world. But he did. He did, and it’s shown me how serious he feels about me. And watching that interview has only reinforced what I’ve known to be true all along—that I’m undeniably in love with Hayes Hollings.
I lift my head up, days’ worth of anger wilting inside of me. “Do you think I’m stupid if I say I do?”
I feel like I’m about to get a smack to the head to knock some sense into me, but a smile only broadens across Lila’s face.
“You’re not. If this is what you want, I fully support you, okay?”
It is what I want. In fact, I’ve never wanted anything more in my entire life.
* * *
I’m almost headedout the door to Hayes’ place when I find Lila peeking out the blinds.
