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My dad had been married four times in his life, the three wo around for less than a year But I knew this one was it--the one that would last It felt right, just like my dad said And as Nolan and I talked about it, while everyone took their turns congratulating my father and Rosie, we realized we’d been pretty blind to their ro, my dad finally made his way over to us, and I smiled when Nolan embraced him, and then Rosie She loved them asfor Rosie’s hand and showing us the ring

I just smiled at him, and shook his hand before he pulled ood," I said, noticing Jason standing behind, for once a genuine sood, Dad," Jason said ashim, too

Chapter 14

Nolan

The drama of Christ forward to the low-key traditional Christrandparents My parents and I left early Christ just in ti French toast with bacon and eggs that always seeht from a farm

I slept a little in the car on our way I had stayed up late with Reed, waiting for Christmas to arrive We sat outside and watched the stars by the outdoor fireplace We saw a shooting star, and both vowed to make wishes with our eyes closed We kept them secret to seal them, make sure they’d come true I kneas a silly rab onto any legend or mysticism with both hands just to wish it mine for keeps I squeezedto work out for Reed and me, my wish mostly a direct assault on ned his name to a contract for an NFL team in the next few months that he’ll be lost to me forever

My dreahout the car ride to ht with Jason,the harsh words his brother had said Awake it was easy to rationalize everything It wasn’t irl, and Jason wouldn’t be kind He would threaten anything good in Reed’s life because he was jealous It made me curious about the pictures I’d seen of the two of the Year’s ago Jason had a look in his eye that he’d fight to the death to protect his little brother Soh, that look had been replaced by envy

My parents seeht, only witnessing the two Johnson boys pu each other in Buck’s driveway Myour drive, and I felt relief that she was on Reed’s side without even questioning it

As the o of all of , and ere finally able to exchange gifts Our holiday was a lot different fro onmismatched wrapped boxes to one another filled with sweaters and horandmother had knitted ave me his old pool stick, which of course led to a few rounds at the table I was actually able to beat him from tiiven s, and each tirades, and the fact that I could be indown in fiery acade up, when I felt a buzz on my phone and pulled it out to find a text from Reed

Hey So…my mom wants you to come over for dinner if you’re able Do you think your parents would mind if I drove you home later?

I stared at the text for a bit, and then put the phone back in e in my head Why would Millie want me to join the the worst, like it was some sort of trick I had to remind myself constantly that Millie was an adult True, she was cold and lacked e ways to attack e face because my mom became suspicious and finally ca, sweetheart?" she asked, leaning intoher words to keep our conversation aat the screen a bit while I sucked in my top lip "It was Reed He…wants to know if I can join him at his mom’s for dinner But…I don’t know"