Chapter 37
Chapter thirty-seven
One More Day
Jasmine Chamberlain
“You look different,” Dahlia comments softly.
We’re both standing beside the fire, just the two of us.
Shepherd left a while ago to rest for the big game tomorrow.
I should go soon too, but after such a good time, I’m dragging my feet.
I realized tonight that when I’m surrounded by my family, it’s more difficult for the darkness to make a home inside my head.
Their hugs and laughter make everything brighter somehow.
“I got a new curl cream?” I say, and she laughs, knocking her blanket-clad shoulder into mine. As it got later, the temperature dropped, causing us to wrap up in fleece blankets. Everyone else went inside some time ago, probably sensing we needed some sister time.
“You know that’s not what I meant. You look…lighter.”
I stay looking at the fire, not sure what to say. Is she upset that I’m happy even though we’re not together? Does she wish I could have been this way while living with her?
“Hey, don’t spiral on me. It’s good that you’re doing well. I was pointing out a good thing.”
I grip the blanket tighter. “You’re not upset that I’m happy when we don’t live together? I promise I’ve missed you, like, every day.”
Dahlia looks at me, concern in her eyes. “You can be happy and miss me. I can be happy and miss you. Two things can be true at the same time.” She turns to face me. “Where is this coming from?”
I face her, not sure I’m ready to dive into everything.
“I’ve been a little…anxious.” I whisper the last word. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to be. Should I text you every day so you know I miss you, or should I leave you alone so you can finally have a life without your baby sister third-wheeling?”
Dahlia shakes her head. “There’s no ‘supposed to.’ I’d love it if you messaged me every day, but if you’re busy with cheer or school or friends, then that’s okay too. And third-wheeling? Is that what you think you’ve been doing?”
I shrug.
Dahlia’s eyes fill with emotion. “Honey, that has never been a thought in my mind.”
My chin wobbles. I try to hold back my tears. I’ve cried way too much lately. I should really invest in those pocket tissues, or a handkerchief. “I know, because you’re amazing, but you deserve to have a life with Levi and however many adorable babies you want. I don’t want to intrude.”
A fierceness enters Dahlia’s expression. “Don’t you ever think you’re intruding. You’re my sister. I love you, and I’d be devastated if you stopped coming around because you were worried about intruding on my life.”
She opens up her arms, her blanket opening too. I bury myself in her embrace, tears falling in spite of my efforts to keep them at bay.
“I ate chocolate bonbons the other day,” I confess into her hair.
She pulls back and stares down at me with wide eyes. “By yourself?”
I shake my head. A blush tints my cheeks. “With a friend.”
She brushes my hair out of my face. “How did that go?”
I think of Shepherd’s arms around me. How safe I felt wrapped up in him. I recall his dimple in the candlelight and the way the caramel tasted when we kissed.
“Good.” I somehow manage to get the word out.
Dahlia raises her brows.
“And is this friend the reason why you’re all sparkling smiles and floaty looks?”
“Partly,” I say with a smile. “But also, I really like college. My classes are great, and my roommates and I are getting close.”
“Sounds like exactly what we were hoping for.” Dahlia smiles, her eyes shining. “I’m so proud of you. I know these last years have been hard, but you’ve walked through them better than you think.”
“Thank you,” I whisper. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
She gives me another hug. “And you won’t ever have to. I’m here to talk about anything. Including friends.”
I pull back, and she gives me a pointed look. A giggle bursts out of me. “I’ll tell you soon, I promise. Like, next week.”
She raises a brow. “I’m going to trust you, even though I’d like to drag you in the house and have the whole family interrogate you until you break.”
I laugh. “Thank you for trusting me. I know it sounds weird, but it’s good.”
“And you really ate bonbons with him?” she asks softly. Only Dahlia knows how much meaning that holds.
“Mom would like him,” I say, my eyes welling with tears at the thought. “So would Dad, though he’d pretend not to on principle.”
“Of course.” Dahlia laughs, her eyes glistening too. She sucks in a breath and blows it out in an exaggerated manner. “Okay, I will refrain from asking about this mysterious man. But we’re getting coffee at the Sweet Bean next week, and I want all the details.”
I giggle. “Deal. Just…” I glance back to make sure he didn’t come out when we weren’t looking. “Don’t bring Levi. He won’t like some of the details.” My face warms hotter than the fire.
“Which means I’m going to love them.” She squeezes my shoulders. “Sisters only. Got it.”
“Maybe I could bring my friends too? I think you’d like them.”
Her smile is bright. “I would love that.”
“Okay, it’s a plan.” I glance up at the starry sky and sigh. “I should probably go. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow with homecoming.”
“Yes, you’ll need all the sleep you can get.”
We hug one more time. When she pulls back, she lets out a little laugh. “I guess I shouldn’t be trying to set you up with Shepherd, then? I thought you two would be cute together since you both like chess.”
It takes everything in me to not turn into a wide-eyed statue.
“You were trying to set us up?” I squeak. That must be why she suggested we play chess together.
She shrugs. “I thought it would be good. He’s a nice boy.”
I tighten the blanket around myself and pray she doesn’t see me emotionally floundering.
“He is nice,” I say carefully. “Maybe leave the dating thing to me?”
She sighs. “If I must.”
I shake my head. “I’m going to go now before you embarrass me even more.”
“It’s my job to embarrass you, but yes, you should get going. Don’t forget to hug everyone before you leave.”
We say our goodbyes again, and I walk through a long train of warm hugs. After I’ve been sufficiently squeezed, I get out to my car and check my phone for the first time since I got here. Sure enough, Shepherd’s warning message is in our text thread. But so is a more recent one.
Shepherd: I left you a gift by your back left tire. I know you have to wear your uniform most of the day, but I thought you could wear it while getting ready in the morning.
I jump back out of my car and look around to make sure none of my family is watching before grabbing the blue gift bag and getting back inside. I reach into the bag and pull out a jersey. With Shepherd’s name on it. A smile spreads across my face. I grab my phone and text him back.
Jasmine: I love it! Thank you! I’ll definitely wear it tomorrow. I’m about to head back to the apartment.
Shepherd: Want to talk while you drive?
My heart skips. I immediately press call, then start to turn my car around.
Shepherd’s voice fills my car. “I guess that’s a yes.”
“It was torture spending all night in the same house without getting to talk to you,” I say as I start down the magnolia-lined driveway.
“Especially when you won. I wanted to kiss you so bad.”
Hearing those words through my car speakers makes my stomach swoop. “I felt the same way. I can’t believe I won.”
“I can. You’ve learned so much in a short period of time. I’m proud of you.”
My breath catches in my throat. “I don’t think I can take any more emotions tonight,” I say with a short laugh. “I cried with Grayson and then again talking to my sister.”
“Was it a good talk with Dahlia?”
I tell him everything as I drive back to campus. He listens intently, humming occasionally to let me know he’s still there. Eventually, our conversation shifts to the game tomorrow.
“How are you feeling?” I ask. We don’t ever play difficult teams on homecoming, but there’s still pressure around winning since the game is a huge celebration of the university and football program.
“I’m feeling good,” he answers. “I’ll feel better after we tell Bash.”
“Yeah, it was weird being around everyone and having this secret,” I say as I stop at a red light.
“Just one more day,” he promises. “Then we tell everyone.”
“One more day,” I agree with a smile.
We’ve made it this far—what’s one more?