Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 84952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
“What?”
My eyes about fall out of my head.
“I know, right?” She beams. “You are so talented. Coy thinks so too. He will be home in a few days again—something happened, I don’t know—and he wants to sit down with you and talk to you about maybe actually writing some stuff for him.”
I don’t know what to say. I just stand there like an idiot and wonder if it’s a dream. Because it feels like it.
“See what happens when you don’t block your blessings?” she asks. “Good things happen.”
I pull her to me and kiss her again.
Good things happen, indeed.
Epilogue #2
Three months later …
Hollis
Me: My abs are a little worse for the wear, but they still look better than yours.
It takes a minute before my texts blow up.
River: For the love of God.
Crew: Do you just sit around and think about your abs?
Me: Sometimes. Don’t you?
Crew: Never.
River: Honestly? Yeah. Sometimes. But I don’t think about texting you about it.
Me: How are the audiobooks coming?
River: Oh, I have more genius to share. Call me later. This time, it’s about fish.
Crew: Why do I feel like I missed something?
Me: Consider yourself lucky, Hollywood.
Crew: Done.
Larissa lies asleep next to me. She brought new sheets and blankets to the house, and I think she used Lysol on everything before she touched it. But, hey—whatever it takes to get her to visit me on the weekends that I can’t get to Savannah.
Me: Having dinner with Coach next week. He wants to know my plans post-graduation. I think he’s going to offer me a job this summer working with the receivers.
Crew: Why? You can’t catch.
River: Burn!
Crew: Kidding. That’s awesome, Hollis.
Me: I’m going to turn it down. I’m not going to the Combine either. Turns out that I played ball for the people and not the game.
River: Sounds genius-level thought process.
I laugh.
Crew: So what are you going to do then?
Me: I’m going to graduate and then I’m going to work with Kelvin McCoy and write some music.
River: THAT IS SICK.
Crew: Oh, wow.
Me: I might suck at it. I’m nervous. But it should be fun.
River: It’ll definitely be fun.
Me: Okay, well, that’s all I had to say.
Crew: You are so random.
Me: Again, you asked for random check-ins.
River: This is true, Hollywood.
Crew: Check-in made. Good night.
River: Later.
Me: Night.
I lean against the pillows and sigh.
Tossing and turning, I try to sleep, but I can’t. Not even with Larissa beside me. I’m in a funk again where my brain just spins all night and wonders about everything from the Titanic to my sister.
I haven’t heard back from Child Protective Services about Harlee. My old case manager said she’d try to track her down but didn’t know how possible that would be. That was two days ago. It’s as though now I’ve found my peace—my future—I need to reconcile with my past too.
It’s time Harlee had a big brother again. Someone to show up for her. Someone in her corner to love her unconditionally.
Someone like me.
I climb out of bed and sneak out of the room. Maybe if I finish the last thing on my to-do list, I’ll be able to sleep.
Crew’s desk is in the corner of the living room. I sit down at it. The notebook I left on top is still there, and I open it.
I find the first blank piece of paper and pick up a pen.
Dear Philip and Kim,
Hey, guys. I know it’s been a while. I just wanted to check in and let you know I’m doing great now …