Page 139 of Forever Wild
“No. Don’t be. Heather said she’d write me a recommendation. I’ll find something.” She sighs as she looks around the office. “I’m going to miss this place though.”
“Yeah,” I say, but I’m not sure I would. “I’ll miss working with you.”
That much is true. Lisa and I only casually knew each other before this, but it’s been fun getting to know her more.
“If you’re staying in town tonight, drinks are on me to celebrate.” She smiles at me.
“The Wildcats have a home game.”
“Ah.” Her eyes light up. “Going to watch your man play sports puck?” Unlike me, she’s not much of a sports fan. I can’t fathom that.
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
41
I TOLD HIM NOT TO
JACK
I take off my shirt and toss it into the hamper while Everly watches me from the bed wearing nothing but my jersey.
“The doctor said my dad can go home tomorrow if everything still looks good.”
“That’s great.”
I nod. It’s a relief. Trying to keep up with practice, games and all the team stuff, and knowing my dad is in the hospital was tough. He’s still going to need care, but he can be back at his house, or mine, where he’ll be more comfortable.
“I hired a full-time nurse for him and I’m going to see if he’ll stay in the pool house so I don’t have to drive back and forth to check on him.” I climb onto the bed between her legs and kiss her. “Things are looking up.”
“I got some surprising, good news today too.”
I wait for her to tell me.
“Heather offered me a full-time position.”
“Everly…” I stare down at her, feeling a rush of pride and excitement. “That’s amazing, but not surprising at all. You’re so talented.”
“Thank you.”
“You don’t seem very happy.” I drop a hand to her knee and shake it lightly. “This is what you were working so hard for.”
“Was it?”
“Of course. It’s what you want, right?”
“I thought so. Or maybe that’s a lie. I don’t know.” She lets her legs fall to the side and leans toward me. “I wanted to prove that I could do it. For as long as I can remember, people have expected very little of me. Graduate high school, get a job, stay out of trouble. My mom didn’t even think I could hack college.”
“But you did.”
She nods. “I did. I had good grades too.”
Finally, a glimmer of pride flashes across her face, but it dims just as quickly.
“I’m glad you proved it to yourself but fuck everyone else. I’ve always known you were going to do amazing things. So did Ty and the rest of the guys. It’s why we were such a pain in the ass when you first got here. You’re special.”
She rolls her eyes, but I’m not blowing smoke. Maybe I didn’t always feel this way about her, but I’ve always been in awe of her fire, her spirit and determination. She stomped through the world on her own, not expecting or asking much of anyone. She doesn’t know how rare that is.
“I have been going over it and over it all night. Trying to figure out what I want and trying to separate it from childhood dreams toadult responsibilities.”
