Page 122 of Anything for You
“Definitely. Our trail is waiting for us, but stay here for one second. I have to go grab something.”
I run inside and up the stairs, grabbing the notebook and pen I stashed in the back of Emma’s nightstand. Pausing for a second to collect my thoughts, I scribble a quick note to her.
Dear Ems,
Every day with you and Maddy is the best day of my life.
Thank you for being you and loving me. I promise I’ll be good to you both. No one will ever love you like I will.
You are both the best things that have ever happened to me.
I love you, Pretty Girl.
Love,
Jeremy
I put the note on her pillow and head back downstairs to go for a run with my girl.
Chapter Forty-Five
Emma
Drinks are flowing, people are scattered everywhere, and the Parkers’ house has the warm cozy Thanksgiving vibe. The one that means home and family to me,and has since the very first Thanksgiving I came here. The one Julie dragged me to when I couldn’t bear the thought of going home to my grandparents’ house to be surrounded by the memories of my parents and our special Thanksgiving traditions, reminded again and again of everything I had lost.
Today, I look around from my perch on the living room couch and am filled with so much gratitude for everything I have gained.
Hallie is sitting on Ben’s lap in a chair in the corner, his arms wrapped around her, whispering into her ear like they are the only two people in the world. Julie is standing by Steven Parker’s bar set up, arguing with Jordan about something while Asher stares at her with a dopey grin on his face. Molly and Allie are deep in conversation with Hallie’s sisters Jo and Hannah. Rachel is laughing with Hallie’s mom Becca over something on Becca’s phone. Steven and Hallie’s dad are in the kitchen checking on dinner.
Maddy is sprawled on the living room floor with Jeremy and Jeremy’s brother Brian, pouring over a book of hockey stats. A couple weeks ago, Rachel clued Maddy in to exactly how good of a hockey player Jeremy used to be, and ever since then Maddy has been obsessed with hockey stats—Jeremy’s and everyone else’s—a hobby Jeremy is all too eager to encourage.
What a difference a few weeks makes.
Jeremy glances up from the book and catches me looking at him, tossing me a grin and a wink before pointing something out in the book to Maddy, one hand stroking idly over her hair while she peppers him with questions.
Watching them together will never, ever get old.
“Fuck, they’re cute together.” Molly sits down next to me on the couch, handing me a drink.
“No margs. Steven is all about the seasonal cocktails tonight. That’s an apple cider something or other. I honestly blacked out while he was listing all the ingredients. You know how he can get.”
“You talking about my dad?” Julie sits down on my other side, her own drink in hand. “He went down a Google rabbit hole of seasonal cocktails last week and he wouldn’t be stopped. It’s pretty good though.” She shrugs and takes a sip.
“No margs tonight means we need a tacos and margs night this week,” Hallie says, taking the last seat on this side of the sectional next to Molly. “Tuesday night, we’re going out. Tell your people.”
“I assume you’re talking to them.” Molly waves a hand at Julie and me. “You are my only people.”
“You know,” Hallie starts, seeming to consider her words carefully. “If you ever decided to give one of those men you like to toy with an actual second date, you could have more people than just us.”
“Been there, done that, no fucking thank you,” Molly says a little too forcefully. “One day you’re happy and in love and the next day it all falls apart because shit happens you can’t control and there isn’t even anyone to blame because it’s no one’s fault. It’s just bad luck and bad timing and you can’t even be mad at anyone, so instead, you’re just sad and I’ll pass on that, thank you very much. Never, ever again.”
Julie, Hallie and I stare at each other and then as one, we all turn to Molly who is staring down at her hands and breathing rapidly, her face turning red like she didn’t mean to say all that.
Julie breaks the silence. “Uh, something you want to share, Mol?”
Molly heaves a sigh and takes a long sip of her drink, downing the glass in one shot. “No. Sorry about that. Just a bad breakup. It’s fine; it was a long time ago. It just sneaks up on me sometimes. Anyone want another drink?”
Molly pops up from the couch and walks away without a backward glance.
