Chapter 5 #2
“Really? Because all those canceled plans and ignored texts said otherwise.” She didn’t snap or explode like Stella always did.
Her voice was calm and controlled, like she’d rehearsed saying this before.
“I showed up at your house because I was worried about you, and you had your mother send me away. Do you know how that felt?”
“I’m sorry,” I said, hanging my head. “That was beyond crappy of me.”
“Sorry isn’t good enough. You don’t treat friends like that.”
“I know. You’re right. It’s just… I wasn’t ready yet.”
Like Stella, Trixy started encouraging me to do things after I recovered from my bone marrow transplant.
Nothing major, just small stuff like going to the movies or grabbing dinner at our favorite burger joint.
She never pressured me, but I hated hearing the disappointment in her voice whenever I declined.
Finally, when I could no longer stand the weight of my guilt, I stopped answering her calls altogether.
If she didn’t have a chance to invite me, then I wouldn’t have to turn her down.
Unlike my sister, it had been easy to push Trixy away.
“And I’m supposed to believe you’re ready now?” she asked.
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
Trixy pursed her lips, considering. “Since you’re here so early, you can go help Amber”—she pointed at the woman with the clipboard I’d noticed earlier—“with concessions. Tell her I sent you. She’ll need an extra pair of hands to deal with all the coffee orders once people arrive.”
One hour later, after spending the rest of the morning doling out steaming cups of caffeine and hot chocolate, it was finally time for the main event.
Everyone who was participating in the plunge gathered on the small beach, stripped down to their lake attire, and charged into the icy gray water at the sound of an air horn.
The shock of it took my breath away. Every inch of my skin burned, my brain felt like it was about to explode, and I was suddenly reminded of my favorite scene from Titanic, when Jack stops Rose from jumping—water that cold hits you like a thousand knives stabbing you all over your body. He was right.
But I also felt alive.
When I rushed onto shore less than a minute later, Trixy was waiting for me, a towel in hand. She thrust it at me, lips twitching ever so slightly.
“Does this mean you forgive me?” I asked through chattering teeth.
“It means you’re on probation,” she answered. “Go get changed into something warm. You’re staying to help with cleanup.”
* * *
After I got home, I took a scalding shower to thaw out and wash away the stink of lake water. I was still riding high from the plunge, successfully completing another item on my list, and possibly making amends with Trixy.
More than anything, I wanted to share what a great day I’d had with someone.
But the person I usually shared everything with was Stella, and I was still mad at her.
She was better at holding a grudge than I was, so even if I did give her a call, I doubted she’d answer.
There was always Willow, but I didn’t feel up to dropping by the hospital, and her grandmother liked to visit on Saturday afternoons anyway.
That left Drew. He wasn’t a huge fan of talking on the phone, but he could suck it up.
Just as I was about to hit Call, I realized there was one other person I might be able to talk to—the only person who knew about my list besides Trixy. I pulled up my contacts and searched for JJ.
Except he wasn’t there.
That was weird. Why would he lie about giving me his number?
I scrolled through the list again to make sure I hadn’t missed him, then burst out laughing when I spotted “Devilish Rogue” right before my brother. No way was I keeping him in my phone as that. Grinning to myself, I edited JJ’s contact before shooting him a text.
Sun, Feb 7, 5:21 p.m.
Cara Samuel:
Guess what I did today?
FYI this is Cara
JJ didn’t respond right away, but I wasn’t surprised. At this point in the day, the Heartbreakers were probably getting ready for their show. To kill time, I turned on my laptop and opened Netflix. I was halfway through an episode of Dapper Daddies when I heard the ping of an incoming text.
Jeremiah James:
Hey, princess
What mischief did you get into this time?
Cara Samuel:
#13
Then I sent him the video Trixy had taken of everyone running into the lake. You could barely see me among the crowd of people, but it didn’t matter. I knew I was there. My phone started ringing less than a minute later, and JJ’s name flashed across the screen.
“Hello?” I said tentatively, surprised he was calling me.
“What is wrong with you?” JJ asked, sounding horrified and impressed at the same time. “There was still snow on the ground! Who the hell jumps in a lake during winter?”
I bit back a smile. “Lots of people. Honestly, it wasn’t that bad. Exhilarating, really. You should try it sometime.”
“Hell no! I got turtle dick just watching that video.”
“That,” I said, nearly choking at his response, “was a bit too much information, JJ.”
“No, it wasn’t. Me and my dick want to make it very clear that under no circumstance will we be submitting ourselves to frozen watery torture.”
“Okay, question. Would you rather jump in a frozen lake in the middle of winter or sit in a hot tub on the hottest day of summer?”
“Ooh, love me a good would you rather.” Without pausing, he added, “Hot tub, hands down.”
“Ew, why?” I hated the feeling of overheating.
“Because,” he replied, and I could practically hear the smirk in his voice, “if I was in a hot tub, I could be naked.”
His logic made zero sense. “Technically, you can be naked in a lake too,” I pointed out.
“Whatever. Hot tub still wins,” he said.
“Not all of us were born with ice in our veins. Hey, hold on a second.” There was a shuffling noise on his end of the line, like he was getting up or moving around, then I heard the muffled voice of someone else.
I couldn’t make out what they were saying, but JJ told them he’d be there in a minute. “Cara, are you still there?”
“Yup.”
“All right, well, I have to get to sound check, but before I go, I’m curious—what’s next on your list?”
That was a great question. What should I do next?
I glanced over at my bulletin board, contemplating. There were one or two options that wouldn’t be terribly difficult, but I was sick and tired of relying on my family or the bus to get around town.
Number four it was then. “I think it’s time to get my driver’s license.”