Page 21 of The Pass
Amelia hasn’t voiced any concerns to me, but I haven’t really asked her opinion either.
“Maybe not just another year. It’s possible I could keep doing both after college.”
“You’re serious?”
“It’s been done before.”
“Yeah, but Tanner, what kind of life is that? Not just for you, but for a family?”
The low battery notification comes up on my phone. “My phone is going to die, and my charger is buried in one of my bags. Can you call me back later to yell at me about this?”
“I’m sorry.” A little of the fight in her voice dies. “I just don’t want you to forget to have a life while trying to be some sort of super jock.”
“I won’t. I’m not. I have a life. An awesome one. One that’s going to the lake this summer, unlike you.”
“Ha! All right, fine. I’m temporarily satisfied, but I’m calling you back tonight because I want to talk about our plans for the Fourth this year. Is Amelia going with you today?”
“She’s coming up for the week of the Fourth and maybe one more weekend. She’s working at her parents’ insurance office this summer.”
“I can’t wait to see her again. You two are so cute together. Okay, talk later. Drive safe.”
I swear she’s more of a mother hen than our mother.
When I get close to Amelia’s, I swing by to get her flowers and then head to her parents’ house. I haven’t met her mom or dad yet, so I’m grateful they’re at work. I don’t want the first time I meet them to be when I’m digging myself out of a hole.
But Amelia throws open the door with a smile and then launches herself at me, crushing the roses between us.
“Hey,” I get out with a mouthful of her hair. “You smashed my apology.”
She pulls back, glances down at the roses, and then kisses me. I guess that means apology accepted. Points for Sydney.
Inside her house, we sit on the couch in the living room. It’s a nice place, homey, well taken care of, lots of photos of Amelia and her sister, Beth. Her close relationship with her sister is one of the things we bonded over. Family is important to us.
And my sister and girlfriend get along, so that’s a bonus. I brought Amelia home with me for a quick trip to celebrate my parents’ anniversary and Tara quickly befriended her.
“I’m really sorry about last night. Sydney was bummed about her shoulder, and I offered to stay before I thought it through.”
“It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re here now, and we’ll have more time this summer just the two of us.”
Slowly, I nod. “Yeah, that’s what Sydney said.”
“Really?” Her brows furrow together. “I’m surprised she hasn’t found a way to invite herself along to the lake.” I don’t understand the bitterness in her tone. Sydney’s always been great to her.
“Come on, Sydney doesn’t do that.”
Amelia pauses waiting for… something.
“She doesn’t,” I insist.
“Oh my god, you’re totally oblivious.”
“To?”
“Sydney is in love with you.”
“No, she isn’t. I’ve told you before, we’ve only ever been friends. It isn’t like that between us.” Minus one hot kiss, but this is not the time to bring that up. I tried full-on honesty with the first girlfriend I had after Sydney and I became friends, and that just made her that much more leery.
“You’re blind.”
