by Unknown
Preston: My bed is cold. Come keep me warm.
I typed in I wish and hit send, then my phone began to vibrate.
“Hi,” I whispered.
“I wanted to warn you,” Preston said. “My mom has told everyone in town about you. You are a celebrity here now. They are calling you The Olivia. It’s terrible.”
I covered my eyes even though he couldn’t see me. “Tell me you’re joking.”
He laughed softly. “Only partially. She really liked you. She asked if you were coming to visit over the holiday.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Well, my dad did give me my car back, so there’s that. But I wouldn’t want to interfere with your family time.”
“You mean the constant debates between my brother and my dad and then my mom’s interjections to tell them to lower their voices? Yeah, I would come get you this second if I thought you would come.”
My heart warmed, the feeling spreading through me, and I kicked off my shoes and changed into my pajamas, wishing more than anything that he was there with me. “I told my mom about you. Well, sort of. I told her there was a guy.”
“A guy? Damn, I don’t even have a name,” he said, teasing. “And here I got you called The Olivia.”
“Trust me. It’s best with my parents to give them bits of information at a time. It lessens the chance of a freak-out.”
“And you think they would freak out about me?”
“You? No. I think they will adore you.”
I heard his smile through the phone. “Well, what’s not to adore?”
I laughed. “You’re so arrogant.”
“Blame my dad. It’s a family trait.”
I paused. “I miss you so much.”
Preston grew silent, and then breathed, “I’ve never missed anyone more.”
I closed my eyes and yawned, growing tired. “I want to go to sleep.”
“Okay. I can let you go.”
I tucked myself under my covers, pulling my quilt up to my chin. “I don’t want to go. I’m just . . . I’m tired.”
“Then I’ll stay on the phone until you fall asleep.”
I smiled, my eyelids growing heavy, refusing to stay open. “You would do that?”
“I would do anything for you.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
A week passed like this. My days with my parents, my nights on the phone with Preston until sleep carried me into dreams, often filled with images of him. By the time my sisters arrived, I’d become twitchy with the desire to see him, calling Rose outside of our agreed-upon schedule, sure that something must be wrong with me. I’d never felt so many confusing emotions in all my life—excitement when I spoke to him, longing when we hung up, a constant flurry in my stomach whenever I thought of him. Either I was in love or I was going insane.
The phone rang several times before she finally answered, a chorus of craziness going on in her background.
“Rose Campbell.”
“Rose, it’s me. Rose?” I called through the noise. “Can you hear me? Where are you?”
“It’s two days before Christmas, Olive. Where do you think I am? I’m in hell with my family. Can’t you hear them in the background?” she shouted over the wails of a baby.
I smiled. “Oh, well, I can let you go if you—”
“Hang up this phone and I will ban you from my practice. You’ll give me an excuse to slip out for a bit. Hold on.” I heard her mute her cell and then a moment later she returned. “I have five minutes before my ridiculous daughter-in-law seeks me out.”
“I didn’t know you had a son, Rose.”
“I have two sons and two horrifying daughter-in-laws. One would think God would’ve granted me a reprieve after the first, but no. The second is worse!”
I burst out laughing. “Ah, you know you love them. I can hear it in your voice.”
She sighed. “It’s true. But they’re marks against my sanity, and you know how closely I value my mind. Now, tell me, how is Westlake?”
“It’s . . . nice,” I said. “My parents have been really supportive, which is unusual.”
“Or perhaps they have always been supportive and you are only now seeing it.”
I thought about it. “Maybe.”
“Have you looked at the last photo?”
“No. I’m afraid to do it here. I’m afraid my mom would walk in and see me crying. I don’t want her to worry, ya know?”
“Let me tell you something, Olive. She is a mother. Worrying is what we do. You could say nothing and she will worry. You could say everything and she will worry. You have to face that photo at some point.”
“Oh, don’t I know it, but I plan to go kicking and screaming.” Just then my door burst open and my youngest niece, Everett, toddled in. My eldest sister, Cameron, had three children, all of them named something crazy. Brick, Talen, and Everett. A boy and two girls, all of them bound to hate her for naming them such stupid names, but they were all adorable, especially Everett.
She came over to me and dropped a chubby handful of Goldfish onto my bed. “I share,” she said.
I giggled. “I can see that.”
“Olive, dear, I’m being summoned, and it sounds like you are as well. I expect another update just after the holiday and then I’ll see you back in my office the Monday you return.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh, and Olive?”
“Yes?”
“Merry Christmas. I hope you find peace this holiday.”
I swallowed. Her words were more touching than anything she had ever said to me. I’d known Rose for several months now, and while I felt close to her, I never really thought she felt that same closeness to me until that moment. “Thank you. Merry Christmas.”
I scooped Everett into my arms and started down the stairs when my phone buzzed. I turned back and tilted my head so I could read the text.
Preston: What would you want for Christmas if you could get anything in the world?
I thought about the question. In that moment, what would I want? My gut reaction was that Trisha could still be alive. That they could all still be alive. But for once, I allowed myself one selfish wish, something only for me, something that celebrated my life now in the present. The life that I was living.
I typed my answer over to him: You.
Preston: I hoped you would say that.
And then the doorbell rang. I glanced down at my phone, my heartbeat kicking up. Surely not. He couldn’t. It was two days before Christmas. I told myself that it was one of Mom’s friends or one of the kids, but I couldn’t keep myself from running out into the hallway and down the stairs, Everett giggling in my arms the whole way. I stopped in the foyer as my mom was opening the door and then he was there, staring at me with those ocean eyes that made everything in my world right again. I set Everett down, tears pricking my eyes, and started for him, fighting to keep myself from running. I crashed into his arms, and it was like coming up for air. Everything my body needed was suddenly right there in front of me.
“I’m sorry to just show up,” he said into my hair. “But I couldn’t wait another day. I couldn’t wait another second.”
I pressed my lips to his, knowing my mom and likely the rest of my family were watching, but I didn’t care. I needed to feel him, taste him.
Mom cleared her throat behind me, and I pulled away reluctantly. She crossed her arms as though in disapproval, but there was a smile on her face. “I’m guessing this is the boy?”
I grinned. “Yes, sorry. Mom, this is Preston.”
Preston held out his hand, and then Mom was leading us inside, talking away as she led him straight to my dad. My eyes widened as the family room went silent. Dad stood up, placing Talen back down on the sofa where he had been sitting with her. Dad’s eyes shifted
from me to Preston.
I cleared my throat. “Dad, I’d like for you to meet Preston Riggs.”
Preston shook my dad’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”
“Riggs? I know a few Riggs. Where are you from, Preston?”
“Tucker.”
Dad nodded. “Are you related to Roy and Carter Riggs?”
“I am. Carter is my dad.”
Dad’s demeanor changed from overprotective dad to fully supportive, let-me-plan-the-wedding dad right before my eyes. “Oh, wow, it’s very nice to meet you then! I knew your family when I was a boy. My father and your grandfather, Roy, served in the Navy together.” Dad paused, as though remembering something. “I heard about Roy passing. He was a good man. Is your father handling the business now, then?”
“Yes, sir. He and my brother.”
Dad nodded. “Do you plan to join them once you graduate?”
Preston stilled. “Um, no, sir. I’m actually studying medicine.”
Dad’s smile widened. “Really? That’s wonderful.” He patted Preston on the back. “I was just going to get a drink. Would you like something?”
Preston glanced at me over his shoulder, but I just shrugged with a grin as Dad led him away.
“He is adorable,” Mom said from beside me. “How did you meet?” At this both Cameron and Lily came in closer. I couldn’t believe Corrine wasn’t right here in the thick of it.
I focused back on Mom. “He’s friends with my roommate, Kara, and we have bio together.”
“He’s studying medicine?” Cameron said.
“Yes. Well his major is biology. He wants to be a pediatrician.”
Mom, Cameron, and Lily all released a simultaneous “Awww.”
“His father is a pretty tough man, from what I’ve heard,” Mom said. “Have you met him?”
“I have. I actually spent Thanksgiving there with Kara because her parents were out of town.”
Mom suddenly looked sad. “You should have spent it with us. I didn’t want you celebrating with strangers.”
“I didn’t. I was with my two best friends and Preston’s family. I still celebrated with people I cared about.” I watched my Mom’s unsure face and tactfully added, “Besides, maybe next year we can do it here.” As soon as the words left my mouth I knew that I meant them.
She smiled, and then Dad was back with Preston. “I’m afraid that I need to go wrap a few presents,” Dad said begrudgingly.
Cameron laughed. “You shouldn’t have bet against Olive. She’s a natural at Ping-Pong. You know that.”
Preston grinned at this new piece of information. “You play?”
“A little,” I said.
“I’d like to see this.”
I led Preston downstairs to our media room, eager to have him alone. I flicked on the light and spun around to grab the Ping-Pong paddles, but he stopped me, cupping my face in his hands and then pressing his lips gently to mine. I planned to keep the kiss light, but I was bombarded with all the emotions I’d been feeling these days we’d spent apart. So I fisted my hands into his shirt, securing me to him, deepening the kiss. He took control of my lips, licking and tasting and exploring as though he had never kissed a girl until that moment.
He grinned as he pulled away. “Nice to see you, too.”
“What are you doing here?” I asked, linking my fingers with his.
“We hung up last night and I couldn’t sleep. I ended up going for a run, pushed myself until three in the morning, but still, I couldn’t wear myself out enough to go to sleep. Finally, at six I went down and told Mom that I was coming here.”
I shook my head. “So you haven’t slept all night?”
He shrugged. “Sleep’s overrated. I needed to be here . . . with you. I hope you’re not mad.”
“Are you crazy?” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “This is the best Christmas present ever.”
“Well, I’m not sure I can stay through Christmas. My mom might kill me, but I can stay tonight if your parents don’t mind.”
“You? In my house? This could get interesting.”
“I certainly hope so. I didn’t drive all this way for nothing,” he said teasing.
I burst out laughing. “Nice to know I have that effect on you.”
He lowered his head to my neck and trailed his tongue up to my ear. “You could never imagine the effect you have on me.”
I eyed the basement stairs. “You know, my family is pretty distracted right now, and there is a bedroom right back there.” I eyed the hallway behind us. “We could test that effect. You know, if you wanted.”
Preston glanced back at the stairs. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Your dad likes me right now. Finding me in bed with you could put a damper on his mood.”
I lowered my eyes and peered up at him through my lashes. “I’ll be quiet,” I whispered, kissing his ear.
He groaned as he leaned into me. “You’re evil, you know that?” And then he fixed his mouth over mine, making me forget anything and everyone except him and that kiss. Until the sound of someone clearing her throat from the stairs jolted us apart.
My eyes darted over to find Corrine leaning against the wall, a huge grin on her face. “Your mother said to tell you that dinner would be ready in twenty minutes.”
I blinked, my cheeks on fire. “Oh, okay.”
Her grin widened and she started back up the stairs. As soon as we heard the door close, I leaned against Preston’s chest, my pulse racing from being caught.
“We could go for a ride after dinner.”
Preston kissed my cheek. “A ride?”
My eyes met his. “I know a few back roads.”
His lips quirked up. “I’m game for a ride.”
I shook my head, smiling as I took his hand.
Preston and I took our seats at the dining room table, the rest of my family already seated with the exception of Mom, who was helping Corrine bring in the last of the meal. Corrine’s eyes twinkled as she met my gaze. She and Rose were definitely alike. They were both completely open one hundred percent of the time. It was nice, especially with the people I was used to seeing around Westlake.
Mom took her seat, and we all dove into the meal. I had just reached for my water, when Mom said, “Preston, we hope you can stay with us for a few days.”
“I hate to intrude on your family time, Mrs. Warren,” he said, though we had both been secretly hoping she would ask him to stay. The boy was nothing if not impeccably mannered.
“Nonsense,” Mom replied. “We haven’t seen Olivia this happy since before the fire. We were worried, especially with what happened after.”
“After?” Preston glanced from Mom to me.
I set my water glass down without taking a drink, refusing to look at anyone.
“Mom . . .” Cameron said, shaking her head. Suddenly, all eyes were on me.
“I’m sorry. Can I just . . .?” I pushed my chair away from the table with a loud screech and bolted outside, desperate to breathe in fresh air. I sucked in breath after breath, trying to get my heart and mind to settle down, but I couldn’t make myself hold on.
And then I was back there, reliving it all. The memory hit me like a punch to the gut. Matt left the room. I remembered watching him set down the joint and saying he would be right back. I had closed my eyes, and when I reopened them, the room was filled with smoke. That was how the fire started. It had to be. The joint. It was left burning. I watched Matt walk out, and I did nothing to stop it. I was too high to do anything to stop it. The guilt of knowing I could have stopped it, that I could have gone back in, wrecked me in the weeks after the fire. I thought I would drown in my sorrow, and then one day, it became too much. I was staring at myself in the mirror of my bathroom, staring at my unwashed hair and the dark circles under my eyes. I looked nothing like myse
lf, and that when was when I wondered how I would ever survive. And then the thought occurred to me: Maybe I didn’t have to. I had just barely sliced my left wrist, when Mom burst in, a stack of freshly folded towels in hand. I still remember the sight of them falling to the floor as she screamed.
I sat down on the front steps of my house and rested my head against my knees. I wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn’t come. There weren’t enough tears for this. I felt an arm wrap around my shoulders and glanced up to see Preston sitting beside me. I hadn’t heard him come outside.
“Hey,” he said, rubbing my arm.
I cleared my throat and sat up. “I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry,” Preston said. “You don’t have to talk about it.”
“No, I should. It’s just a lot and I don’t like to talk about it.”
“There’s more to why you see Rose than just the fire, isn’t there?”
I nodded. “Yes. The fire . . . and then what I did to myself after the fire.” I couldn’t bring myself to meet his questioning stare, so I continued. “I was . . . in a bad place. The guilt too heavy to breathe through. So, one day I decided I didn’t want to try anymore.”
Preston took my left hand, turned it over, and traced the thin scar on my wrist. “I noticed it weeks ago, but I thought it was part of the others.” He drew a breath. “Tell me you’re past that now.”
I looked up at him. “I would never try that again. I realize now how selfish it was, how I only thought of my pain, not what my death would do to my parents.”
He put his arm around me. “I’m sorry.”
“The thing is, I was just thinking about it, remembering, and I think . . . I mean, I don’t know, but I think I might know what caused the fire. And I could have stopped it. I was there. I watched Matt set down the joint, but I was too high to do anything. And then the room was engulfed in smoke and flames and all I could do was try to survive.” A small tear slipped from the corner of my eye, and Preston reached over, wiping it away with his thumb.
He pulled me closer to him. “You talk to Rose about the fire, right?”
I nodded.
“And you trust her?”
