Chapter 39

Emilia and Kate both look so fucking sad as Asher and I pack up the car. I’d love to think that my sister is sad I’m leaving home, but it’s not me she’s concerned about. Nope, she’s looking at my best friend with heartache in her eyes. Part of me wishes they’d stayed away from each other a little longer. If they waited until they were both at college, they might’ve actually stood more of a chance. Asher looks as torn up as she does. They’re being so obvious that it’s hard for me to pretend like I don’t realize they’ve been getting together behind my back for weeks now. He wasn’t even being subtle when he suggested we pick his stuff up first and then mine. It’s obvious that doing it that way around means he gets to say goodbye to Kate, which he wouldn’t be able to do if I went to pick him up after I was done here.

Emilia, on the other hand… Her sadness is all for me. Part of me is still nervous, though. If I know my Minx at all, she’ll have one more trick up her sleeve. My mother bursts into tears as I put the last box in my trunk. I sigh and wrap my arms around her. It’s always been my mom that’s wrapped her arms around me. When did our roles reverse? When did she start to feel so small in my arms?

I hug her tightly and try my best to keep my heart from breaking. I hate seeing my mother cry. I don’t usually care about women crying, but there are three women in my life I can’t stand to see in tears. My mother, Kate, and Emilia.

“Maybe I should come with you — I could drive you there. What if there’s something wrong with your accommodation? We don’t know, right? We should check. What if you need something?”

I look at Emilia pleadingly and she takes on the role my sister is too heartbroken to assume. She puts her arm around my mother’s shoulder and hugs her tightly. My mother turns towards her and throws herself into Emilia’s arms. Emilia almost stumbles back from the impact, but smiles nonetheless.

“Milly,” my mom cries. “Tell him to stay, Milly. Just one more day,” she pleads. Emilia looks at me and I know that if she asks me to, I’ll do it. For a second I think she will, but then she shakes her head.

“He can’t stay, Helen. Asher and Carter have already stayed for as long as they could. Their orientation is soon. They have to go today,” she says. She rubs my mom’s back and part of me wishes my dad was here today instead of at work. I’m sure it’s going to be tough for my mom. Emilia looks at me reassuringly and I know my mother is in good hands, but it still hurts to leave them behind.

“Mom, you’ll be fine. I can either drive or fly back whenever you want me to, and you can come visit me whenever you want. Don’t cry like that,” I tell her. She nods and throws herself back into my arms. I laugh and hug her tightly.

“My baby. You’re all grown up now,” she says. I smile at her. She’s embarrassing the hell out of me, but she’s my mom, and I love her.

“Yes, Mom,” I murmur, patting her back. Eventually she steps aside and I open my arms again to hug Emilia. She hesitates for a second before she launches herself into my arms. She looks at me, her arms around my neck. My eyes automatically drop to her lips, my mind replaying the way I kissed her at my leaving party, the way those soft lips of hers tasted and the way she moaned my name hours later. I drag my eyes away. I pull her closer and drop my face to her neck, pressing a sly little kiss to her skin. She sighs and tightens her hold on me.

“I’ll miss you, little Minx. I’m sure college will be boring without you. Hurry up and join me, okay?”

She nods and rises to her tiptoes. For a second I’m sure she’ll kiss me, but then she presses her lips to my cheek. I smile when her lips linger. Will things always be like this between us? I know she said she didn’t want to date me, and I have no choice but to accept that. But might she change her mind someday? She and I are so good together… I know I’m too young to know for sure, but I’m pretty sure my Minx is it for me. Maybe I’ll be able to convince her through phone calls once I’m away. Maybe she’ll miss me and she’ll realize just how silly she’s being. I’m reluctant to let go of her, but eventually she steps back and my sister takes her place.

“I’ll miss you, douchebag. You and Asher take care of yourselves and each other, okay?”

I smile to myself. It’s obvious to me she’s only concerned about Asher, but I won’t call her out on it. I’m sure it’s hard enough on that Asher is leaving today.

Emilia has her arm around my mother as Asher and I drive away. Today should be one of the most exciting days of my life, so why does it feel like I’m leaving my damn heart behind?

I accelerate and hear something crack underneath my foot. Seconds later, the entire car fills with a horrible smell. Asher coughs and opens the window. “Smokeless stink bomb? Fucking Emilia!” he shouts. I chuckle.

“Good one, Minx,” I say to myself as I pull over to air out the car. I’m going to miss her like fucking crazy, and I may need to look into ways to pull pranks on her from a distance. There’s no way I can go without my dose of Emilia.