Page 87 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

“Maybe you should talk to your dad again first. He might come around to the idea.”

“He won’t.”

“So that’s it, you choose to apply to UMich and he cuts you off?”

“Yup, but at least he’ll be out of my life.”

I didn’t like hearing him talk like that. You only got one family, even if his dad sounded like a real jackass.

“So that’s the plan, UMich?”

“That’s the dream.”

I didn’t know why, but the conversation killed the mood between us. Maybe it was all the talk of Cole’s dad, or maybe it was the fact that Cole had plans beyond next week, next month… next year.

I’d had plans too, but now everything was different. And the reality was, Cole was starting a relationship with somebody who might not have a future at all.

“I don’t like that look,” he said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“What look?”

“Like you’re about to run.”

“Are we stupid, Cole? For being here? For doing this when—”

“Stop, Sofe. I’m begging you to stop doing this. If I didn’t want to be here, I wouldn’t be here.”

“Okay.”

I grabbed my homemade lemonade and drained it.

Trying to ignore the nagging doubt in the back of my mind that we were only setting ourselves up for heartache.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

Cole

“Are you cold?”I asked Sofia as we sat outside on a rattan love seat next to the bonfire.

The heat of the flames burned away the cooling temperature, but Sofia had shivered a couple of times, and I didn’t want her catching a cold.

“No.” She smiled up at me. “I’m fine.”

I wrapped my arm tighter around her shoulder, still hardly able to believe that she was here with me. Letting me hold her.

“She’s pretty good.”

“Yeah, she’s got a nice voice,” I said.

The singer was an older woman with an acoustic guitar. She had a country twang to her voice that suited The Nook.

A server appeared with our drinks. “Two signature hot chocolates with marshmallows, caramel sauce, and Reese’s pieces.”

“They look so good. Thank you.” Sofia took hers and settled back against the love seat.

“Thanks.” I dug out my wallet and settled the check.

“Oh my God, so good.”

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