“I have to get in first, Dad.” I chuckle.
He waves a hand. “Psh, as if you won’t. Those admissions people would be morons not to admit you right away.”
I blush, because it never fails to make me feel loved that I have a parent who believes in me so much. I know not everyone has that kind of support.
Later, we’re sitting on a big boulder overlooking the valley, the lush greenery dropping down low beneath our muddy boots.
“I know there is so much devastation here, but it really is a beautiful country.” I breathe.
Dad nods beside me, taking a ladle of his tchaka, a traditional Haitian pork stew. “You’re not kidding.”
We’re both quiet for a while, eating our stew and savoring the flavors of this country. I know I’ll miss it when I leave, because as hard as I’ve tried to recreate Haitian dishes at home, there is just something about the local ingredients that can’t compare.
“I’m going to miss you next year, kiddo.” Dad sounds sad, and I lean into him for a hug.
We’re connected side to side, looking over the Haitian mountain ranges. “I’m going to miss you, too. But we’ll always be us. You’ll always be my number one guy.”
I feel the imprint of his smile on the top of my hair. “And you’ll always be my number one girl. Since the day you were born.”
The emotion in his voice is thick. “But I don’t have to be your only number one. I hope that when I go to college, you’ll take some time for you, Dad.”
It isn’t the first time I’ve inquired about his dating life, but it is the first time I’ve told him outright to find someone who makes him happy.
“You don’t need to worry about your old man. I have plenty of things in life that make me happy.”
“I’ll always worry, you’re my dad. And I want you to find someone to do those things with. I don’t want you to be lonely.”
Dad is quiet for a few minutes, still hugging me to his side.
“How did I get such a wonderful little girl? Just promise me something?” he asks.
“Yeah?” A cloud moves over the mountains, the sun temporarily gone.
“When you find the guy who makes you happy, make sure I get to vet him first. You deserve nothing but better than the best.”
My cheeks heat, but not because my dad is being embarrassing.
But because I may have already found that guy, and I just need to decide if I’m going to allow him to make me happy. If I’m going to trust him enough with my heart.
24
Blair
“Why did I let you bring me here? Why did you even want to come here in the first place?”
The look I give Laura is pointed, and she rolls her eyes at me. “Because for as much as we hate Hailey, we like free beer and a party with all of our classmates more. Which there is both of here. Plus, this is the coolest New Year’s party in all of Chester, and we weren’t going to sit home like the losers they think we are.”
I guess she has a point. As long as we can avoid Hailey, who is probably drunker than a skunk and trying to flash some random boy her boobs, then this night should be decent. Plus, I wouldn’t be sleeping anyway. We landed last night back in New Jersey from Haiti, and my internal clock is all over the place.
“I stole this from the laundry room, and we need to drink it before whoever brought it realizes its gone.” Nate flies up to us, revealing a bottle of top-shelf tequila under his shirt.
“You are so bad! Give me a swig.” Laura both chastises him and then takes a shot straight from the bottle.
“Gross, we don’t know where that’s from.” I eye it suspiciously.
“Are you going to be a buzzkill and try to make it through this night sober, or are you going to stop being a pussy and drink this shit?” He’s challenging me, and I’m just annoyed enough to prove him wrong.
Without another thought, I grab the bottle and take a swig. It burns going down, that signature taste of tequila singeing my throat and warming my stomach. It’s incredible how quickly I feel looser after just a gulp. My bones seem to melt a little, and I giggle as the two of them pass the bottle back and forth.
I only take one more shot, because I don’t want to lose my head. Have a good time? Yes. Start my new year off with puking into the bushes? No.
“So, who is going to be your midnight kiss?” Nate teases, all of us a little tipsy from the alcohol.
“I’m going to see if I can sneak up on Matt,” Laura blurts out, then throws her hands up over her mouth.
Nate’s mouth drops open. “Mr. Quarterback? The asshole who brings girls into the bathroom at school to get blow jobs? Laur, you’re better than that!”
I guffaw right alongside him. “How come I never knew you harbored a crush on the devil himself?”
“Oh, come on, he’s not that bad. A scoundrel, yes maybe. But it’s senior year and I’m not looking for a boyfriend or anything of the kind. I’m looking for a cute boy to make out with, of which he is supposed to be the best. So I’m going for it.”
I guess she has a point, but I still don’t want the jerk to hurt her. “All right, just be careful. How about you, Oh Horny One?”
I’ve turned Nate’s question back onto him, mostly to avoid answering it myself but also to see his answer.
“That hot guy from Ridgeport is here, and he’s been checking me out all night. You best believe I’m all over that when the clock strikes twelve.” He licks his lips, directing
