Chapter 12 – Stella
STELLA
I plead with my brother on the ride back to the cabin. Not that it does any good. I can see that everything I say in Beau’s defense is being dismissed as quickly as the words leave my mouth.
I’m so mad, hot tears blur my vision. “You didn’t even give him a chance!”
“You’re catching me a little off guard here, Stell. You and Beau Ricci?!” I hate the way Felix says his name, like he’s some terrible guy. He isn’t. I refuse to believe that.
“Yes! He isn’t the guy you think he is. He’s funny and witty, sweet.”
“Sweet?” He cuts me off before I can say more. “He has a reputation for being a player.”
“He likes to have a good time.”
“The guy is a wrecking ball, Stell.”
“I know, I know. You think he took Garrison out on purpose. I don’t believe that for a second. You don’t know him like I do.”
We pull up to the cabin. James is on the front porch with Garrison.
The latter stomping around, shirt untucked.
He’s always been a little unhinged, quicker than my brother’s other friends to get rowdy and start a fight.
It’s another reason it’s easy to take Beau’s side.
If it were Teddy or Lucas, maybe I’d be more conflicted.
“Ah, shit,” Teddy says. “I got him.”
Felix turns in his seat. He looks tired and I feel a twinge of guilt. I should have told him before it went down like this.
“Let’s talk about it tomorrow,” he says.
“There is nothing to talk about. I like him. I’m going to keep seeing him.”
“How do you know he isn’t just using you to piss me and the guys off?”
I never even considered that, and I hate that it takes me a second to really reflect on the possibility. No, Beau would never do that. I give my brother a searing glare. “That’s a low blow even for you.”
I rush past the guys on the porch, straight back to the room Holly and I are staying in and start to pack. I don’t want to be here anymore.
“What are you doing?” Holly asks as she walks in.
“I want to go home,” I say flatly.
“Stell.” Her voice breaks as she takes a seat on the bed. “You caught everyone by surprise. Give Felix the night to calm down.”
“No. I can’t stay here and listen to them talk about what a shitty guy Beau is.” I can already hear them out there talking shit and I don’t want any part of it. “He is a good guy.”
Holly’s voice goes quiet. “I believe you.”
“You do?” I sit beside my twin.
“Yeah. I wish you would have told me who he was.”
“I wanted to. I almost did a hundred times. But I didn’t want you to have to keep something from Felix. It was hard enough for me.” The three of us have always been close. Another reason that it hurts so much that Felix won’t even consider that I might be right about Beau.
“What are you going to do?” Holly asks.
“I have no idea. But tonight, I want to curl up with Whiskers and sleep in my old bed.” Our parents’ cat is an adorable, fluffy white furball that loves to curl up on my chest. It’s the best kind of therapy.
“Are you sure? We can stay in here, watch a movie in bed or get really drunk.”
I smile at my sister. “I’m sure. I want to go home and wake up tomorrow and forget this entire trip happened. Please?”
She hesitates.
“Oh crap. I’m sorry. You want to stay for Teddy.”
“No. I mean, yes, but it’s okay.”
“Holl—”
“If you want to go home, then let’s go home. Whatever you need.” She squeezes my hand.
Neither Holly nor I say much on the way to Scottsdale. We pull into the driveway of our childhood home just after two in the morning.
“Thank you,” I tell her. I know she gave up time with Teddy to come with me and it means more than she could know.
“Of course. Come on. Everything will seem better in the morning.”
I hope she’s right.
Once I’m in my old bedroom, I change into sleep shorts and a baggy T-shirt and climb under the covers.
I plug in my phone. It’s dying from the number of times I’ve checked for texts from Beau in the past three hours. He still hasn’t sent anything. I try to FaceTime him, but there’s no answer.
Me
I’m so sorry.
The dots appear a minute later.
Beau
You have nothing to apologize for. I shouldn’t have shown up like that. I hope you and Felix worked things out.
Me
Holly and I left. I’m in Scottsdale at my parents’ house.
His reply starts and stops.
Me
Did you make it back okay?
Beau
Yeah. I made it back.
Me
Plans tomorrow?
Beau
We’re going to my uncle’s house in the afternoon. Probably be late before I’m home.
Me
Okay, what about the next day?
Beau
That’s Christmas.
Me
Yeah. We’ll be all celebrated out by dinnertime. I could come see you.
Beau
Maybe. Might have to play it by ear.
Me
Please don’t let the things Felix said get in your head. We can figure this out.
Beau
Get some rest, baby. Talk tomorrow.
Me
Night, Beau.