Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
“Damn, long day.”
“Watch your mouth around Emmy,” my mom said easily, like she didn’t swear like a sailor herself. “And you haven’t distracted me. Rumi is still going to feel my wrath.”
“Well, at least tell him I tried,” I replied.
“I’m sorry, Emmy,” my mom said, pausing to face Emilia. “I know you probably think we’re lunatics.”
“I think you’re awesome, actually,” Emilia replied sunnily. “Plus, it’s not like I haven’t seen your crazy before.”
Mom laughed. “Amen to that. We can’t keep it a secret around here, that’s for sure.”
“Me and Emilia are going to hang outside,” I said, reaching for her hand.
“Cool,” my mom replied. “Thanks for the help, bud. Could you take the sodas to the outside fridge on your way?”
“No problem.” I dropped Emilia’s hand again so I could grab the boxes of soda. She strode ahead of me and opened the door.
“Oh, I hung up the hammock for you!”
“Sweet,” I said with relish. “Thanks, Ma.”
“I don’t understand why you love the hammock so much,” Emilia said as I put the soda away.
“What’s not to love?” I asked, leading her to the back of the yard. “It’s comfortable and it rocks from side to side. Plus, when you’re in it with me, you have to practically lie on top of me.”
“If I didn’t, you’d squish me to death,” she said reasonably.
“That’s fair,” I said with a huff. “You’re pretty small.”
The sun was behind us, making our shadows stretch out in front. Emilia’s looked like a kid’s.
“Being short is good for gymnastics,” she said, staring at our shadows. “But I’m not going to lie, I’d take a few more inches.”
“That’s what she said.”
“Oh,” she said in mock disgust. “That’s just wrong.”
“What’s wrong, Emilia?” I asked, walking forward to sit down in the hammock that was stretched between two trees. “Wouldn’t you like a couple more inches?”
“Michael,” she hissed like she was scandalized, but her eyes were filled with humor. “A couple more inches would be seriously uncomfortable.”
“You’re good for my ego,” I said, pulling her down with me so we could get situated without flipping the whole thing over.
“I think we fit pretty well, don’t you?” she asked as we settled, her body pressed against the length of mine, her head on my chest.
“In the hammock or in the bed of my truck?” I asked jokingly.
“Well, both I guess.”
“I think we fit in every way possible, sugar,” I said with a sigh, closing my eyes.
“Good, me too.”
We were quiet for a while. It wasn’t getting hot outside yet. Spring was pretty cool in Oregon, but it was a nice day anyway. Between our sweatshirts, body heat, and the sun shining down, it was nice and warm in our little cocoon.
“I’m excited for next year,” Emilia said, tracing patterns on my chest with her finger. “College is going to be so different.”
“You nervous at all?”
“I’m a little nervous about joining the tumbling team. I feel like I need to really earn the scholarship they gave me or they’re going to take it back.”
“You’re goin’ to kick ass.”
“I hope so. I wish you were going with me, though.”
“You know college isn’t really my thing,” I said, running my fingers through her hair. “I like workin’ on bikes and I’m good at it.”
“I know,” she said with a sigh. “Do you think you’ll buy one? A motorcycle?”
I laughed at the hope in her voice. “The minute I turn eighteen,” I confirmed. “Can’t be a prospect without one.”
“You’re going to join for sure?” she asked, looking up at me.
I stared at her for a moment in surprise. “Yeah, sugar,” I said finally. “That’s always been the plan.”
“I guess I just thought we’d have more time.”
“More time for what?” I asked curiously.
“More time to just be us,” she said quietly.
“I’m still gonna be me.” I ran my fingers through her hair. “Just with some more responsibilities and shit.”
“Yeah.” She laid her head back down. “I just wish you were going to school with me. You know, be kids a little longer.”
“I’d be gettin’ into debt for school that isn’t even goin’ to help me at my job,” I countered. I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince her or myself. I didn’t even want to go to college, and I had other plans to make a living, a good living, but it still felt weird that she was going to be doing it without me. She was right. Once we graduated, I’d be jumping into my adult life with both feet. For the first time since we’d met, I wouldn’t get to see her throughout the day.
“You’ll be doing real adult stuff and I’ll still be carrying math books around,” she joked lightly, mirroring my thoughts.
“You know the best part about that?” I asked.
“What?” She leaned up to look at me resting her chin on my sternum.