Chapter 49 #2
I don’t even have time to answer when Jerry walks back in. “Okay, meet me here at eight in the morning tomorrow, and we can talk more about the process. For now, I have someone coming to bring dehumidifiers to start drying this place.”
“Thank you.”
He looks up at Holden, softening his features when he adds, “No need. Anything for him.”
Time passes as I ignore Holden’s gaze and keep myself busy, waiting for the water restoration company to get here.
They set up some loud, transformer-looking machines everywhere and tell us to meet them here in the morning.
They leave, and I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck. I need to go to bed and put my feet up.
I can’t, though, and the group of people standing outside waiting for instructions is a good reminder of why. Everyone is huddled in their own little clusters, half-drenched from the rain, but there’s a sort of collective relief in the air now that things are starting to calm down.
Most of the salvageable things are packed in the backseats of vehicles, and the rain has finally slowed. It’s getting late.
Holden catches me staring at all our friends goofing around outside. “Trial by fire, I guess.”
He grins, but it’s more out of politeness than genuine amusement. “Thanks again for saving the day.”
“Well, let me keep saving it. Let me take you out for dinner.” His eyes flick to the group of people lingering outside, talking among themselves.
It’s like they’ve all collectively decided they won’t leave until the job’s done, but they’ve gone from serious damage control mode to awkwardly lingering.
I bite back a laugh. “How? That's unsavable, unless you think pizza would work for everyone,” I reply, gesturing to the group. “I’m guessing you all are not keeping a bunch of random stuff in your vehicles, so why don’t we bring it to my house, and I’ll pay everyone in pizza and drinks?”
Holden raises an eyebrow. “You sure? You’re the one who’s been running around all day. I can tell you’re ready to collapse. They can go home.”
“I’m sure. Can’t pay them in money, but I’ll feed them,” I tease, flicking my eyes over to the group of guys starting to make their way toward the cars, as if they can already tell. “I owe them pizza for all the heavy lifting they did.”
“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t mind a slice myself. And you know…maybe we could…talk?” The last part is low, barely a whisper, but it’s enough for me to feel the heat rise in my chest. We do need to talk.
I nod, trying to ignore the nervous flutter in my stomach. “Sure. I’ll tell my friends if you want to tell yours.”
The drive home is a mix of anticipation and nervousness. I have no idea how these people are going to mingle. I hope it doesn’t turn into an interrogation.
In no time, we’re home, and I point to the shed in the back, where the group gets to work, carrying boxes and stacking them neatly in piles. I texted Ellie to schedule a time to announce the store closing for a week.
A week. That’s not too long for it to be closed, but it can put us in the hole. I’ll have to figure out a way to bring in some revenue in the meantime.
The boxes are set aside, and the pizzas arrive. Suddenly, my house is full of people, and it feels…good. Chaotic, but good.
Cara’s sitting on Manny’s lap, laughing at something he said.
Livie is practically hollering about the fact that Mateo’s Holden is my Holden.
We really need to start using first and last names around here.
Gus is talking to his sister, Allie, and her husband, Jake, laughing about something.
Aspen is still deep in conversation with Mateo, Liam, and the other two friends—Lucas and Oliver—but suddenly, his attention shifts to me, a goofy grin spreading across his face.
“Well, well, well,” he drawls, holding up his hands like he’s trying to decide whether to make a dramatic remark. “You’re really gonna feed us all pizza? Nice. I’d say that’s a solid move to earn points with the friend group. Gotta love a woman who knows how to treat her people right.”
“Aspen,” Holden growls, making everyone but Aspen laugh.
“That’s the way to his heart, by the way,” Liam says. “Feeding him, that is.”
“Well, yeah,” Aspen replies, unashamed. “But I am also here for the entertainment value. I mean, come on. Holden’s over there practically shining like the sun, and Natalie’s trying not to look at him too much. Which—if I’m being honest—makes the whole situation super obvious.”
Holden freezes mid-sentence, looking like a deer caught in headlights. His shoulders tense, but he doesn’t say anything. He just glances at me, his lips pressed into a tight line. Your call, his eyes seem to say.
What do I say? Do I stand here in front of all these people and tell them yes? Yes, what? As wild as everything has been, Holden, I haven’t had a chance to really talk about what we said last night, but I also don’t want them to think I don’t care about you. Because I do.
I let out a slow breath and turn to Aspen. “You’re not wrong. My mom taught me the way to people’s hearts is through their belly. I couldn’t cook for everyone, but next time?”
Aspen grins. “Neeeext time,” he teases, elbowing Holden and making him grunt. “I’m just saying, someone here’s got a case of the feelings. And I’m not talking about me, folks.” He gestures to the group dramatically, like he’s delivering the punchline to some elaborate joke.
“You’re ridiculous.” Holden laughs, half-exasperated. They’re all so endearing, and I can see the groups merging before my eyes.
Before Aspen can launch into another round of teasing, Mateo steps in, giving him a playful shove. “Alright, enough with the shenanigans. We’re eating pizza, not having therapy sessions.”
“Speaking of pizza,” Jake interrupts, “let’s finish up. Today was exhausting, and I’m sure Natalie wants to rest.”
I do want to rest, but having my house full of people right now makes me feel whole, and I love it. There’s a knock on the door, but before I can get up, Aspen’s already rushing to answer.
“This is not your house!” one of the guys shouts from the back of the group.
“It’s okay. Let him,” I reply with a smile.
Holden walks toward me, his footsteps deliberate as he leans in close. He whispers, “Is this too much? You didn’t have to feed them. They can go. I know they can be a lot.”
I smile at his sweet concern. “They’re perfect. They can stay.”
“There’s more people here!” Aspen shouts, swinging the door open wide. “Should I let them in?”
“Get out of the way. I practically live here.” I don’t need to look to know Roe just walked in. Between her and Aspen, this could get interesting.
“Who are they?” Roe asks, eyeing the group. “Wait…I know you. You’re the coach!” She points at Liam.
“Hi, Ms. Sorelle,” he says, flashing a smile.
“Ms. Sorelle? That’s so proper!” Bella, who’s walking through to grab a slice of pizza, says with mock surprise.
“Wait! It all makes sense now!” Cara shouts from Manny’s lap. “You and you—” She points to Liam and Holden, “—coach Bella. You three are their friends, and Mateo here is part of your guy group, but also Livie’s brother!”
A laugh breaks out from everyone. Of course, it’s Cara who took a while to piece it all together.
“I’m Roe. That’s Saint, but you must call him Thiago or Santiago, not Saint,” she announces to the group.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, itching for a hug I won’t give since she hates them.
“Allie called and told me. I’m here as support.”
I smile at my prickly friend. “Thank you.”
“Now, where’s the pizza?” I point to it and laugh, because we both know she’ll pick the cheese off and leave the rest, like a picky toddler.
“Your friends aren’t any more obnoxious than mine,” I tell Holden as I get back to him.
“I see that. They seem to get along too,” he adds, pointing at Aspen, who’s basically talking to Cara’s belly as if he’s known her her whole life.
“Ha, yes!”
The chatter fades as everyone settles into their own conversations.
Slowly, they leave in couples and groups until my living room is empty except for Holden.
He helped clean up, but we still haven’t talked.
I don’t know what to say. When I got to the store earlier, I was sure I wanted to say yes, to jump headfirst, but the more I think about it, the more it feels like the wrong choice.
I could share my life with him, move to Magnolia Springs eventually, leave everything here—the store, my friends. Or, he moves here, leaving behind his life. Either way, it would be devastating. And selfish. It would be too much for both of us.
He’s not just liked by his friends. He’s loved. The way they dropped everything to be here for him today…my friends would’ve done the same. That makes everything harder, not easier.
He really is showing me he’s all in, but I don’t know if I’m ready for that.
Even in the moments when I feel peaceful, there’s still chaos.
He deserves consistency, something easy and steady.
He deserves a life without the constant uncertainty.
He has so much going on with his dad, and he doesn’t need the added stress my life brings.
He wipes his hands on his shorts and heads toward the door when Bella pops up and asks, “See you tomorrow?”
He furrows his brows. “We don’t have a game until Friday,” he replies, voice low.
“You can just come over, no?” she says, and I see the hint of something in her tone. She’s offering him a place here, to be a part of our lives, to be more than just a hypothetical—a constant. What if it doesn’t work out?
It’s too complicated. It’s too late.
I might have fallen for him, but if something happens between us, it would break more hearts than mine. I think I need to slow things down.
“We have plans tomorrow, actually.”
“Oh?” Bella asks, clearly not fooled. We don’t do much on Mondays.
“Yeah, it’s going to be busy at the store, and after…I have stuff to do.” My shoulders practically touch my ears as I tense. “Sorry,” I whisper.
“No need.” Holden closes the space between us and pauses at the door. “Call me if there’s anything I can do, okay?”
I nod, though the lump in my throat is almost too much to bear. “Bye, Holden.”
He flinches, the tiny movement enough for me to realize why. I’ve never said goodbye to him before. I never do, because I hate goodbyes, but now, it feels necessary. He needs to know there’s a shift. He needs to know I need time.
But I can’t tell him I don’t love him. That’s not the truth. I just need space. I need to know that no matter what happens, my girls will be okay. Our lives have become so intertwined, and I need to hit the brakes—for everyone’s sake.
“Goodbye,” he says, voice quiet and defeated.