Page 56 of The Unbound Bookshop
Robin Lee Graham said, “At sea, I learned how little a person needs, not how much.”
That pretty much sums up how I feel, too. I said something similar to Mom once, and she gave me the strangest look. I swear, if Kev and I weren’t identical, she’d be banging down the door of the hospital, claiming they gave her the wrong kid.
Anyway, I don’t really need to write my future self a letter. And I don’t really need to put my most prized possession in a time capsule to remind me what’s important in ten years.
Kev may worry about losing focus as he gets older. That can happen when you’re busy taking over the world and whatnot.
But not me. I don’t need tricks or trends like time capsules.
I won’t lose sight of who I am.
So, my best advice to my future self?
Keep doing what you’re doing and enjoy the ride.
Flynn winced at his own words.
You have no idea how wrong you are.
He lifted the bracelet from the bag—the one Sage made, with a matching pair for her and Kev to symbolize their immortal friendship. His most prized possession. A reminder of the two people closest to him in the whole world.
What had Kevin chosen as his item? What had he written to his future self?
He’d considered opening the time capsule countless times over the years. Even more so as the ten-year marker approached. But he couldn’t bring himself to go back there. To the place where his brother died.Because of him.
A cold chill swept over him, penetrating all the way to his marrow.
He couldn’t let his brother’s memories languish in that cave. Kev wasn’t here to retrieve the time capsule, which meant Flynn would have to go instead.
But he wouldn’t have to do it alone.
Flynn raked a fidgety hand through his hair. Should he really do this? Should he invite Sage into the dark places of his past?
He’d vowed never to tell her what really happened that night. He didn’t want her to carry a single ounce of guilt, especially since it wasn’t her fault. It was his own burden to bear.
But he saw the damage he’d caused by leaving, when, at the time, he thought he was doing the right thing. Maybe he needed to change his mind about this well-intentioned decision, too?
He slipped the bracelet over his wrist and cinched it tight, resolute in his new plan.
He’d tell Sage the truth. The whole truth. And he’d do it tonight.
But first, he needed to have a conversation with his parents.
It wouldn’t be pleasant. But it was necessary.
Apprehension mingled with determination as he strode across the expansive back lawn toward the white marquee tent rustling in the wind. His parents stood underneath, speaking to one of the catering staff, the stunning panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop.
The two minutes it took his parents to wrap up their conversation with the caterer felt like an eternity. By the time they’d turned to face him, adrenaline had kicked his pulse into overdrive.
“Hi, sweetheart. Everything is coming together beautifully for your big night.” His mother beamed proudly at all her posh party details, like the illuminated lighthouse ice sculpture and enormous floral centerpieces with—wait. Were those live goldfish in the glass vases?
He cleared his throat, trying to concentrate on his mission. “About that. I need to talk to you and Dad about something.” He swallowed. His mouth had gone from dry as sand to suddenly producing way too much saliva.
Get it together, man.It’s now or never.
He filled his lungs with crisp, salty air for courage. Expelling it slowly, he ripped off the proverbial Band-Aid. “I’ve decided to postpone the promotion.”
“You what?” His dad’s eyes narrowed, and his tone took on a stern, icy quality. The kind that would silence him instantly as a kid. “You don’t want to be vice president?”
