Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 69266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
“That sounds like a solid job,” Whitton said.
“Yeah. It would be, but I don’t know. I feel like there’s so much happening right now, and I’m not ready to be tied down to just one thing.”
“What’s the five-year plan? What do you want out of all of this?” Whitt asked.
I knew the answer to that, but it was essentially impossible. I wanted to join Cosmere. But their keyboardist, Michael, had just quit, and he’d been with the band for years. I couldn’t imagine them ever replacing him. Not with how it had all gone down. I was a fill-in, but I wasn’t the real deal. That didn’t stop me from dreaming.
“I can’t think about a five-year plan, Whitt. Jesus, did you think we’d be here five years ago?”
Just then, our food showed up. Whitton had curry while Harley and I had pad thai. Though hers was as hot as they could possibly make it. She was obsessed with spicy food.
“I certainly didn’t think I’d be at Tech,” Harley said. She twirled her food around on her chopsticks.
“Regardless,” Whitton said, “just because we didn’t see Lubbock happening to any of us doesn’t mean we can’t plan for the future.”
“Dude, that’s you. Not me,” I told Whitt. “I want to go with the flow.”
Whitton’s eyes twitched at that word.
“In five years, I want to be in law school,” Harley announced. “There, Whitt, you can stop hassling West on the first day home.”
“I’m not hassling. I’m being practical,” Whitt argued.
“Well, stop being practical then,” Harley said with a laugh. “Or I’ll put one of these ghost peppers in your curry.”
Whitton shot her a look. “Harlyn Anne, you wouldn’t dare.”
“We’re throwing a surprise party,” I interjected before they could get started. They could go like this for hours if I let them.
“Party!” Harley said. “Can I come?”
“No,” Whitton said at the same time I said, “Yes.”
“She’s nineteen,” Whitton argued.
“It’s Campbell’s birthday. Everyone is invited, and she doesn’t have to drink.”
“Y’all don’t have to be so ridiculous. I’m in college. I’m at frat parties every weekend. I’ve had alcohol before.”
“I’ll be there,” Whitton said.
“Me too,” Harley agreed.
I laughed at them both and went back to my food. It was good to be home with my siblings. I was used to being out on the road with other bands and away from them for months on end, but it was great, coming back to them. And I couldn’t wait to be with all my friends at the party.
4
Nora
Planning a surprise party for Campbell with three days’ notice was a feat. Luckily, we didn’t have a wedding that weekend at Wright Vineyard, and I had a few days of planning time to get it up and running.
“So, you’ll get the cake?” I asked Blaire.
My sister-in-law—which was still crazy to think about—smiled and nodded. Her bangs were long enough to flutter into her eyes with the movement. “I have it covered.”
“And he doesn’t suspect a thing?”
“Nope. I told him I have something special planned for his birthday. I think he’s hoping for sex.”
Her best friend and Hollin’s girlfriend, Piper, snorted. “Isn’t he always?”
“Aren’t all guys like that?” Blaire shot back.
Piper grinned devilishly, her eyes shifting to Hollin’s. “I suppose so.”
“Gross, y’all. Those are my brothers!”
Both girls snickered.
We were all standing in my dad, Gregg’s, backyard. Dad wanted to have a big welcome home and congratulations thing for Campbell. He and Campbell hadn’t always exactly gotten along. They’d had a lot of grief after Mom died, because Campbell had been Mom’s favorite, and he’d blamed Dad for her running out. But it had been a horrific car accident that had taken her life. It had been no one’s fault. Years of therapy had gotten us all to that point. So Campbell and Dad were trying, and that was what mattered.
Our aunts, Lori and Vail, stood together by the barbecue as Vail whipped up her famous burgers. Jordan and Julian’s mom, Helene, sat in a chair next to them. She’d had cancer a few years back, and she still seemed fragile all the time. But the doctors had said she was stable. It was nice to have everyone together.
“Weston said he’d help if you needed a way to get Campbell to the winery,” I offered.
“That would be great.” Blaire set her hand on my arm. “How is living with him, by the way? I know you said that you liked having the house to yourself.”
“I did. I thought he wanted me to leave, but he said that I could stay. Misunderstanding. And I know it’s only been a few days, but it’s kind of nice to have a roommate.”
“A cute roommate,” Piper added.
I flushed. “Well, yeah. Those Wrights, you know?”
“We know,” Blaire and Piper said together and then giggled.
“So, are you two…” Piper trailed off with emphasis and a wink.
“Uh, no, just roommates.”