“I know things got a little tense last time we were there, but they ended well. Look, I’ve come to realize it’s just a building on a piece of land. I want to make new memories there, Vel…with you. What do you say?”
She exhales in thought. “I’m good with it. But what about Chase, would he be willing to go?”
“Actually, I thought it would be more of a me, and you thing,” I say.
Another breath. “He’s not going to like that.”
“He’ll be fine. Besides, he’s got that hot Euchre date with Pearl and Henry’s granddaughter.” Velyn laughs at that. “What do you say?”
“Okay, but you’re breaking it to Chase,” she agrees.
“Deal!”
“I have to run. I’m just about to jump in my car and head to school. Meet up for lunch?” she asks.
“Sounds good,” I reply.
The call ends, and I give my body one last stretch before hopping out of bed and heading to the shower. I also make a mental note that I’m going to have to sweet talk Connie into getting things ready at the cottage for me—not going to be an easy task.
Walking into the kitchen, Connie’s sitting at the island making her payday grocery list, as she calls it.
“Good morning, Connie.”
“Mi amor, you’re up early, no?”
“Yeah, I wanted to talk to Velyn before she headed off to class.”
“Ah, how is that sweet girl? She hasn’t been here as much.”
I move around the kitchen, grabbing a cup and juice container before settling across from Connie on the island. “She’s good. She’s been working extra hours at the diner to earn some more money for her school books.”
“Such a hard worker that girl is...that’s a good sign, mi hijo, it means she’s not lazy. You don’t want a lazy girl.”
I let out a chuckle. “Velyn’s certainly not lazy. But it bothers me how much she takes on. She won’t even take any help. I offered to pay for her books, but she won’t let me.”
Connie looks to me with a soft smile. “And that’s okay. When she can’t do it alone anymore, she will ask for help, and that’s when you need to be there for her. Until then, just support her.”
“I guess. I just want to help her. Make it all better.”
“And that is what makes you a good man, also a very good sign.”
Now it’s time to ask the favor. “Say, Connie, would you mind helping me out with something this afternoon?”
Having returned to her grocery list, she continues to write away, but still answers, “What’s that?”
“I was wondering if you’d be able to stock the cabin and quickly freshen it up? I’d like to take Velyn up there tonight.”
Connie lifts her head to look at me. “You hate the cabin.”
I give her a one-shouldered shrug. “I did, but Velyn’s helped me see things differently.”
Connie fans herself. “A miracle worker. Do you think she could get you and your brother to do your laundry and cook your own supper?”
I narrow my eyes. “Ha-ha. Seriously, would you mind doing that for me? I’d really appreciate it.”
“Of course, anything for young love.”
I smile. “Thanks, I’ll owe you one.”
“Mmhmm, I’ll add it to the growing pile of IOUs. Between you and your brother, I could retire on the favors you two owe me.”
I walk to the sink to rinse out my cup, then lean over to Connie, kissing her on the cheek. “And we’d be willing to fulfill every one of them just as soon as we can take care of ourselves.”
She sighs. “That’s what I figured.”
With another quick thank you, I grab my coat and bag and head out. That’s one thing off my list, now to break the news to my brother.
“Are you sure you’re okay with sitting this one out?” My brother looks at me.
“Dylan, it’s okay. Even I know you two need some alone time once in a while. What
don’t get is why are you taking her to the cabin? You hate that place.”
I rest my arms on the picnic table. The quad seems to be the new hangout place, so I knew I would find Chase here.
“I do. I mean, I did.” I let out a breath. “Honestly, I don't know what I think. I used to know, but Velyn’s made it impossible to look at anything one-sided anymore.”
Chase nods in agreement. “She has that effect on people. But don’t look at it as a bad thing. It’s actually good. Remember, looking at things from every angle opened your mind up to let her in.”
I shake my head. “How is it that for a seventeen-year-old, you know so much?”
“I learned through intense observation. I’ve been watching you and your friends make one mistake after another for years—I took notes,” Chase replies with a smirk.
Somewhat slighted, I pinch my brow. “Glad I was able to be of assistance.”
“So why the cabin?”
I glance at my brother, letting out a breath. “I need tonight to be special. I know she loves the cabin, so it’s the perfect place.”
“For what?”
“Chase, seriously, some things need to stay private.”
“You’re going to tell her you love her, aren’t you?”
“Who are you going to tell you love?” I let out a groan as Jordan takes a seat beside Chase. He’s the last person I need to hear any of this. “Bro, are you going to tell Velyn you love her?”
“No, I’m—”
“Who’s telling Velyn they love her?” Ava asks as she moves in next to Jordan.
Jordan leans over, kissing her on the cheek. “We think Dylan, but we’re waiting for confirmation.”
The three of them focus all their attention on me, apparently waiting for the big reveal as I grow more frustrated
