“Roll it like this,” Camille translates from my mother to Genevieve who’s studying their movements intently. She looks up to find me hovering in the hall.
“Oliver!” she says brightly. “We’re making crêpes!”
I grin and move into the kitchen. “I see that. They smell amazing.” Her gaze slides to the batch already piled high on the counter, and I catch the longing in her expression. “Hope you’re planning to eat about a hundred,” I say. “Maman makes enough for the entire Trojans team.”
My mother snaps a glare at me, even though she probably only understood half of that. I toss back a wink, and she rolls her eyes.
“You do a terrible job feeding this girl,” she says to me in French. “She’s never had crêpes. Can you imagine?”
I can, and force away my irritation at the thought. “Then I’m glad her first experience will be yours.” I plant a kiss on Maman’s cheek. “Where are the others?”
“Where do you think?” Camille mutters, nodding her head in the direction of the pool area.
“Seriously?” I ask with a laugh. “It’s sixty degrees outside.”
“And we were worried they’d be upset at a Christmas without snow,” she scoffs. “Los Angeles is so awesome,” she adds in English for Genevieve. Gen looks up and smiles.
“I’ve lived here my whole life.”
“I wish I could,” Camille says with a sigh.
“Why can’t you?” I ask, plucking a sliced banana from the pile on the counter.
She gives me a look and rolls her eyes. “Very funny.”
I shrug. “I’m not being funny. You have a year of university left after this one, right? Transfer to a school down here.”
She shakes her head. “I can’t just do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because! I mean… Where would I even stay?”
“We can find—”
“Here,” Genevieve interjects. She blushes when we turn to her. “I mean, I have so much room. You’re welcome to stay for as long as you want, even if it’s just for the summer to visit.” She blinks and looks away. “It’d be nice to have someone around.”
Camille stares at her in shock. “Seriously? You’re kidding me right now.”
A shy smile spreads over Genevieve’s face as she shakes her head. “Not at all. I’d love that, actually.”
“Oh my god. Oliver!” Camille shrieks, jumping up and down. She grabs my arms and shakes me. “Did you hear what she just said?” I laugh as our mother looks over, her brows scrunched in confusion and concern. Can’t blame her. Camille doesn’t get excited often. I translate what just happened, and to my surprise, Maman doesn’t immediately shoot down the idea.
“We can discuss it,” she says to Camille who moves in for a spontaneous hug. Not for Maman. Not for me. Genevieve startles a bit at the surprise tackle, and I’m guessing she’s experienced more hugs in the last twenty-four hours than the last twenty-four months. Welcome to the Levesque family. Here’s to hoping she survives tonight’s Christmas dinner and festivities. Last year the snacks, gifts, and general revelry lasted until four in the morning.
CHAPTER 20
“Hero”
By Genevieve Fox
Another night of tears, years of fear leave me cold
Another day of searching, always learning I’m alone
Through the shadows of the sun
I stayed hidden as the one
Who couldn’t breathe, couldn’t see
Trapped in broken destiny
I never saw you coming
I’d been too busy running
Take me in your arms and show the fear a
Hero
I don’t need prince charming,
Just the calming strength of your smile
Cuz we don’t have to fly
To survive the tides of life
It only takes a hand to hold
To know
A true hero
GENEVIEVE
I’m sad to see Oliver’s family go. The truth is, I loved having my cavernous house feel full. I loved the laughter, the teasing, and even the hugs that I started to get used to by the end. Christmas for me was always a chore. One more performance I had to endure, while pretending it meant anything. But it was different with Oliver’s family. The gifts, the food, the conversation, it was so relaxed and organic. We stayed up late into the night on Christmas Eve, laughing and exchanging simple presents that meant the world. I teared up when they presented me with a box of tokens from Quebec. I went through it with reverence, pulling out each item and wishing I could capture the excitement in the room as they shared the significance with me. “You’re one of us now,” Oliver had whispered. I’d never been so honored in my life, felt so included. I also totally embarrassed myself when the twins gave Oliver their gift: a framed drawing of him pictured as a superhero. It took my breath away, the simplicity and significance of that heartfelt image. He’s a hero to so many and it has nothing to do with sports.
As life resumes after the holidays, so do the rehearsals, interviews, and stress of disparate schedules. Oliver and I are stuck with scraps of what’s left, sneaking short visits, quick dinners, and heated but rushed rendezvouses whenever we can. And after Genevieve Fox’s album launches in mid-January, the little time we had disintegrates into nothing. I miss him so much and cling to the knowledge that once we get through this final tour, I’ll have endless hours with him to make up for lost time. Okay, not endless, but it will feel that way after the pitiful seconds we have now.
Holy shit, Gen! Number one?? Congratulaations! It’s a text from Oliver. I ignore the typo and grin at my phone as I take a swig from my water bottle backstage. The crew is still setting up, and normally I’d be hiding out for this part, but today is different. Our tour officially opens tonight in L.A., and despite Oliver’s own milestone day, he’s promised to finally see me perform. I’m so excited I
