Page 156 of Until August
“Fasten your seat belt,” August said.
When I did as he’d asked, he pulled onto the road and started driving.
“Where are we going?” I asked a little while later.
“To a place you’ll either love. Or curse me for bringing you there.”
I looked over at him and studied his profile. “There’s no in-between with us, is there?”
He shook his head. “Nope.”
CHAPTERFIFTY-FIVE
Nicola
I understoodwhat August meant when I figured out where we were. Brea’s Eagle Hills neighborhood. My father used to bring us to see the Christmas lights every year, and years later, Cruz and I always made a pilgrimage to see them.
I’d mentioned it once and told August that Sage would love it. He thought it was funny that I was talking about Christmas in July.
“Why did you bring me here?” I asked as he drove at a sloth’s speed.
“Nostalgia.”
“Nostalgia?”
He shrugged. “It might help kickstart the grieving process.”
Kickstart. What a funny choice of words. Hadn’t I been grieving for almost three years? “You’re an expert on grief now?”
“No. But your friends and family are worried about you.”
“Who have you spoken to?”
“Luca. Ari. Scarlett.”
“Do you guys have some kind of group chat set up?”
He scoffed. “No. They stop by the food truck. I can’t get away from you if I try.”
“I’m sorry.” I didn’t really sound that sorry.
“No, you’re not.”
“Sorry,” I said with a laugh.
He pointed out the window. “Look at the lights, Nicola.”
“I can’t.”
He didn’t say anything. Instead, he drove so slowly that it would take us forever to get out of this neighborhood.
Finally, I let my gaze drift to the window.
A wave of sadness washed over me.
Cruz and I used to bring hot chocolate with mini marshmallows and homemade sugar cookies, just like my family did. He loved my family’s traditions because he hadn’t grown up with any of his own, so he wanted to carry them on.
I used to turn up the volume on the Christmas music and sing along.
