Page 117 of Seeds of Christmas
“Hey,” he says quietly. “I’m really glad you came tonight. It means a lot. To all of us.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. We’ve missed you, man. And I know it’s been hard. But you’re still part of this. You’re still our brother. Not just because of Dom, but because you’re you.”
The words hit harder than I expected.
“Thanks,” I manage. “That means a lot.”
“And if you ever want to talk about him—or anything—I’m here. We all are.” He claps me on the shoulder. “Don’t be a stranger, okay?”
“Okay.”
He heads inside, and it’s just me and Rhi on the deck.
“You did really well,” she says softly.
“Did I?”
“Yeah. You talked about him. You shared memories. You let yourself miss him without falling apart.” She turns to face me. “That’s huge, Carter.”
“It felt good,” I admit. “Scary, but good. Like I could actually remember him without it being this terrible, heavy thing.”
“He’d be proud of you.”
“You didn’t even know him.”
“I know you. And I know that what you did tonight—showing up, being honest, letting people in—that took courage. And from everything you’ve told me about Dominic, that sounds exactly like something he’d be proud of.”
I pull her close, wrapping my arms around her. “Thank you for being here.”
“Where else would I be?”
“I don’t know. Somewhere less chaotic? Somewhere that doesn’t smell like Natty Light and broken dreams?”
She laughs against my chest. “I like being with you. Even in places that smell like Natty Light.”
“That’s true love right there.”
“That’s definitely true love.”
From inside, I hear the countdown starting. Everyone shouting numbers, getting progressively louder and more drunk.
“TEN! NINE! EIGHT!”
“Should we go in?” Rhi asks.
“SEVEN! SIX! FIVE!”
“Nah,” I say. “I like it out here. Just us.”
“FOUR! THREE! TWO!”
She tilts her face up to mine, and I can see her breath in the cold air, can see the string lights reflected in her eyes.
“ONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR!”
Inside, everyone’s cheering. Someone’s blowing a horn. Someone else is probably already crying or throwing up, or both.
