Chapter 28
Sloane
I’m beyond grateful that Mom and Dad renovated the pool house for me. I’m grateful for everything they’ve done for me, but I think I’m already getting to the point where I need to look for an apartment that isn’t in my parents’ backyard.
I’ve lived here for a few weeks, and for the most part it’s been everything I needed.
The problem, however, is the constant presence of my parents’ worried faces.
Ever since I told them Eden is going to the UK for an indeterminate amount of time, I’ve had to put up with Mom hovering and Dad sending me worried looks every time I see him.
I get it, okay? I lost my mind for a little while there, but I’m so much better and I feel strong mentally. Dr. Chen was the first person I spoke to after the late-night talk with Eden. The doctor talked it all through with me, and she was happy with how well I was coping.
Mom and Dad know how well I’m doing, but it doesn’t stop them from looking at me like I’m one bad day away from shutting myself in my room and never leaving. We need to talk, and I need to start looking toward my future.
The idea hits me like a slap. Why didn’t I think of it sooner?
Shaking my head, I snatch my phone from my kitchen counter and message Eden, letting her know I’m on my way over.
She leaves in two days, and I’d hoped we get to spend every waking hour with each other, but we can’t because I have to go do adult stuff, like build a business.
Thankfully I have the afternoon off from Holcroft because the teachers are having some sort of induction day before the full student body returns.
Deciding it would be a good way to burn some frustration away, I slip on my running shoes and jog the short distance to Eden’s place.
I didn’t miss my mom peering out the window as I went past the house. She had that look on her face. Again.
Bella opens the apartment door and grabs me by the arm. “Thank god you’re here. Eden’s gone mad.”
I laugh because no doubt she’s being dramatic. I change my mind when I walk into Eden’s room and see the state of it. She’s standing in front of her suitcase with a Slinky in one hand and a single sock in the other, looking confused.
Smothering my laugh, I step to her side and place my hand gently on the small of her back. “Hey, baby.”
Her eyes flicker like she’s coming out of a trance. “Babe! Hey,” she almost shouts. Her lips crash into mine and for a few minutes we make out. Eden still holds on to the Slinky and sock.
“What’s going on, babe?” I ask when we pull apart. Eden’s eyes survey her room, and she blushes. Her hand goes to the back of her neck.
“Um, so…I’m packing?”
Ah, there it is. The answer in the form of an unintentional question. I can’t help but giggle.
“And you’re planning on taking a Slinky?”
She looks at her hands and bursts out laughing. “I may have gone off track. I just couldn’t decide what I’d need.”
“I assure you, the Slinky isn’t necessary for a trip to the UK.” I laugh along with her.
She drops the toy and the sock, spinning to scoop me up into a hug and a delicious kiss. My feet leave the floor and my pulse races. We kiss again, but I can’t let it go any further until I voice my idea. Eden has a way of distracting me until I forget everything.
“Can you take a break from packing for a minute? I need to ask you something.”
We sit on her bed. “What’s up?” she asks. I’m happy to see she’s looking lighter than she has these past few days. I didn’t realize how much the decision of going to the UK was weighing on her.
Biting my lip, I play with her fingers because I’m suddenly feeling a little unsure. Eden wiggles my hand and gives me that look which tells me I’m safe and I can tell her anything.
“How would you feel about me taking over your room while you’re away?”
Her eyebrows reach for the sky. “Has something happened?”
I explain about my parents and how I’m feeling. Eden cups my jaw and places a gentle kiss on my lips. “My room is your room. We’ll just need to get the okay from Bella, but I can’t see her having a problem. If anything, you should probably think really hard about living with her.” Eden laughs.
I smile. “Actually, it kind of excites me. I think I’d really enjoy having a roommate or two for a little while. Plus, it’s only temporary until you get back or I find a new place.”
This time, Eden bites her lip. “What if it wasn’t temporary? What if you moved in and didn’t leave when I get back?”
I look at her for a second, and let what she’s just said sink in. “You want to live together?”
She barks out a laugh. “Fuck yes I do!”
Her enthusiasm makes me laugh. “I want that too.”
“Hey!” Bella shouts from the living room. “Have you stopped her packing the kitchen sink yet?”
Eden rolls her eyes, grabs my hand and hauls me off her bed and into the living room. “Yes, she has. We need to ask you something,” she says to Bella. Becca puts her Kindle down and sits up, poking Bella to pay attention.
“How would you feel about Sloane joining the apartment?”
Becca grins. Bella narrows her eyes. “Will you complain about my nocturnal tendencies?”
Shaking my head, I roll my lips. “Never.”
“Fine with me then. How do you feel about Becca moving in too?”
Eden snorts. “Bel, she moved in months ago.”
Becca flushes but doesn’t correct Eden. “Unintentionally,” Bella adds.
“I’m cool with it,” Eden comments and looks at me.
“Living with my best friend? Yes, please.”
Becca squeals and launches herself at me.
“This place is going to be insane.” Eden laughs.
It is, and I can’t wait. I just need to tell my parents.
I left Eden’s place soon after agreeing to move in because the talk with my mom and dad needed to happen ASAP.
It went as predicted. They tried to be supportive, but I could see they didn’t want me to leave.
I told them they should rent out the pool house to a student or something now that they’d had it renovated.
I’m sure they think I’m being impulsive and that’s their right, but I know this is the right move for me.
Mom asks me to stay for dinner, which of course I say yes to. I message Eden to come over and head to the supermarket to pick up the ingredients for one of Eden’s favorite meals. Mom insisted, which was beyond sweet.
It’s in the fresh produce section where I run into Bryce.
“Sloane Bishop!” he calls from the other end of the aisle.
My face lights up because I really like Bryce. He was the school’s quarterback and a really nice guy, not your typical asshole jock. We all became close to him in senior year. He used to throw the best parties, and it was at one of those parties that Eden and I started to date.
“Bryce, oh my god!”
We hug tightly and spend a few minutes catching up.
“I’m visiting Mom,” he says. “Dad’s away for a few months in India and she’s feeling lonely.”
“Best son ever,” I joke, causing him to laugh.
“So, how’s Eden?”
I don’t know how much he knows of our history, and the supermarket isn’t the place to tell him, so I keep it short.
“She’s great. Heading to the UK for a little while to look after her gran. Plus, she has a gallery opening coming up in London.”
Bryce whistles low. “Shit! UK is smashing it.”
I laugh at the nickname he bestowed on Eden.
“She really is.”
“A little birdie told me you’re not doing too bad for yourself either, Bishop. PT extraordinaire at Holcroft. Own business too.”
I shrug like it’s nothing. “What can I say? I’m an overachiever.” I laugh.
The truth is, my business is doing well.
I landed a brand-new private client yesterday.
The father of Holcroft’s linebacker plays competitive football.
Not professionally, but he takes his football seriously—enough that he hired me to be his physical therapist. I’m hoping that by word of mouth and a stellar reputation I’ll grow my client list quickly.
“Well, I reckon this deserves a rager.” He grins.
“Bryce, we’re not in high school anymore.”
“Don’t I know it. We’re on the slippery slope to midlife,” he snorts.
“We’re twenty-two.” I laugh.
“And are losing the ability to recover from alcohol with each passing year!”
“That’s fair,” I snort.
“I think we should have a party for old time’s sake. A way to send off UK to…the UK, and a celebration for you bossing the hell out of life. It’d be great to see everyone.”
“Eden leaves in two days, Bryce.”
“Sweet, we’ll do it tomorrow night then. My place as usual. Mom won’t mind. She’ll probably enjoy the noise actually.”
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Damn right. Get on whatever text chain you have and make sure everyone knows.”
He leaves me with an enthusiastic hug and a mumble about needing to go to the liquor store.
When I get back to my parents’ Eden is already there, chatting away to my dad. Dumping the food bags on the side, I gravitate to her and wrap my arms around her shoulders.
“Hey, babe,” she says, kissing me soundly. Dad smiles and excuses himself to the grill.
I take advantage of Eden sitting down to climb onto her lap. “You’ll never guess who I just ran into.”
She squints up at me, all teeth and challenge. “Soccer Mom?”
“Bryce! He’s visiting his mom and wants to throw you a going-away party tomorrow.”
Eden cocks an eyebrow. “Tomorrow? As in, less than twenty-four hours to plan and twenty-four hours before I have to sit on a plane for a million hours?”
“He was very insistent.” I grin, because I know she’s already running through her catalogue of excuses to get out of it.
Eden may have changed some since high school, but she’s still not a major party hound.
I was surprised to find out she drinks beer when we reconnected.
In high school, she rarely drank alcohol at all.
She lets her head flop back dramatically, groaning. “I have to pack…and water my plastic plant.”
Laughing, I card my hand through her hair. “I’ll help with the packing. You can trust me with your outfits, I swear.”
This gets her. She brings my hand to her lips, kisses a finger. “If you pick anything ugly, I’ll confiscate your favorite Eden-smelling hoodie.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” I keep a straight face. “You haven’t got the balls to mess with my favorite hoodie, Sawyer.”
Eden grins and buries her face in my shoulder. “You don’t know me,” she gripes, making me laugh.
She’s still holding my hand when Mom comes into the room, carrying salad in one of her special glass bowls that is apparently not dishwasher-safe, despite the fact that I’ve accidentally washed it in the machine several times. Mom would lose her mind if she found out.
I clear my throat and scoot off Eden’s lap, smoothing down my skirt. Eden gives my ass a sly pinch before leaning back and folding her arms behind her head like a champion.
“Party at Bryce’s tomorrow,” she informs Mom. “There may be drinking. Sloane’s responsible for my safe return.”
I’m still limiting myself to one glass of wine, if that. I don’t want my meds to get fucked up just for a temporary buzz.
Mom’s eyes grow a shade warier. “Just keep it within reason, okay? You have a flight,” she says to Eden.
Eden nods and smiles. “Absolutely.”
After dinner, we head back to Eden’s…or should I say, our place, where I take over her packing.
I spend the evening choosing outfits for her trip, culling the truly ratty t-shirts.
I know she has a love for band tees, but when they’re more hole than garment, it’s time to purge.
She moans every time I hold up a t-shirt that needs to go, but she doesn’t stop me from putting them in a garbage bag.
We pass the hours listening to music and talking about the places we’ll visit together when I travel over for her gallery opening.
The next day I work a soccer training session at Holcroft, happy that the weekend is upon us, even if tomorrow I’ll have to watch Eden fly away. I come home to find Eden in an oversized t-shirt and nothing else, eating cold leftovers while alternating happy and sad songs on Spotify.
“You okay?” I ask. She just shrugs, and I don’t push. I sit with her, knee to knee, sharing the fork, until she sets the food aside and leans into me.
“I know I have to do this,” she says, her voice almost childish, “but I sort of hate it at the same time.”
“It’s just a visit, babe. All of this will still be here, and I think you’ll be glad to have done it. Not just because you want to be there for your gran, but also because it’s a great opportunity to network.”
“I’m not sure how much networking I plan to do, babe.”
Snorting, I take her face in my hands and look into her eyes. “If you think your gran is going to let you fuss over her you’ve lost your mind, baby. She’s going to drag you to London when she’s feeling up to it and have you parading yourself in front of everyone that matters to your career.”
“Crap, she is, isn’t she?”
Keys rattling in the door pull our attention. Bella spills through with bags of chips, dips and god knows what else.
“Are you bitches ready to party?”
“Bella, why the hell are you taking all that?” Eden demands.
Bella hooks a thumb over her shoulder. “Ask her.”
Pia glides in looking hella hot. “It’s my first night away from Meena, and I plan to splurge.”
I can’t help but notice Todd is absent. Eden does too because she side eyes me.
“Bryce will have a ton of this shit at the house,” Eden says.
“Pfft, this is pregame snacking,” Pia says, already reaching into one of the bags and ripping open some chips.
Becca comes out of her and Bella’s room in her robe and with makeup half done.
“Can we wrap this up and get ready? We’ve got a going away party to get to.”