Page 46

Lola

“It looks nice in here,” I tell Byron’s mom as we decorate with the little touches she brought to Westvale to make the condo feel like home.

Mr. Holloway left it fully furnished, so Byron’s parents brought some pictures and family heirlooms to make them comfortable for as long as they’re here.

However long that might be.

The amount of time has been the rain cloud pouring over us for the last couple of weeks.

Byron and I haven’t really talked about his parents coming to live up here and how he is going to balance spending time with them, all the school work that comes with the semester ending and his hockey obligations.

It’s obvious that he’s ecstatic that his parents accepted Mr. Holloway’s offer to stay in his condo.

There’s been more one-on-one phone calls with his dad.

They’re starting to really understand each other now.

Byron was almost giddy when he learned that they both have an unhealthy obsession with the Fast And Furious movie franchise.

I was sitting on the couch in my apartment a couple of nights ago when he came flying in Mia on his heels, talking a mile a minute.

When he finally spoke at a pace I could follow along with, I picked up that he and his dad were going to start the movies beginning the night they moved in.

“I’m just thankful we didn’t have to think too much about what we needed to bring. With all the medicine and appointments we have to keep track of, it was nice to have something taken care of for us.”

The sad drawl of her voice breaks my heart. She’s tired. Her eyes are drooping and her shoulders are sagging, but I haven’t seen her without a smile on her face once.

“Well, I got you guys these.” I hand her the four wrapped gifts I’ve been lugging around in my tote bag all afternoon.

“You might want to get the guys and open them up together.”

“Byron doesn’t know what they are.”

I shake my head. Knowing if I utter a single word I’ll break down in tears.

Isla’s voice boom’s throughout the three floor home. Commanding the attention only a matriarch deserves.

The boys footsteps padder through the house, by the time they get to the den they both look like two kids trying to figure what they did wrong.

I laugh when Byron takes off his Carhart beanie—the winter replacement for his Yankees baseball cap–and runs his hands through his hair a few times before tossing his beanie on to the kitchen table.

“Don’t look so worried,” she tells them with a laugh.

“Lola got us some gifts and thought we’d want to open them together.”

Isla passes out the smaller wrapped rectangles until they each have one. Leaving the bigger one for last. I just have to say that’s my kind of girl.

They try to match the other’s pace, not wanting to ruin the surprise for the others.

Isla’s smile takes up her entire face. Byron’s eyes find mine and he mouths, How did you keep this a secret from me?

I shrug. I can’t give away my secrets. Hopefully we have years more of present exchanges ahead of us.

My favorite reaction has to be Arie’s; he raises from the couch and wraps me in a bear hug. Holding the framed picture away from his body so we can both see the picture of him, Isla and Byron after one of the games they came to a couple of weeks ago.

“When did you take these?”

Since all the pictures are from different times. Byron is holding one of them laughing at dinner and Isla’s is from a happier moment during our trip to Philly.

“I’ve been taking them whenever we’ve all been together for the last few weeks. I wanted you guys to have some pictures of the three of you.” I point to the one left to open.

“Don’t forget about that one.”

Byron lunges toward the gift like a kid getting the okay to open the gifts tucked under the Christmas tree. The large canvas print is the three of them laughing in the kitchen. Byron wanted to cook our culinary class recipes for them.

“Byron, these can all stay here. I have copies for you back at my house.”

After a few minutes Byron’s parents head to the grocery store in town to get the essentials. Byron wants to wait for them to come back so he can help them put the food away. His dad hasn’t complained once today, but his fatigue is starting to show.

He pulls me onto his lap and settles us into the back of the leather couch.

“I can’t believe you kept those pictures a secret from me.”

I push his blonde hair out of the way so I can look into those blue eyes I love so much.

“I just wanted to make sure that you had these memories to hold on to. Just promise me you’ll make the most of the time you have with them here.”

Byron’s behavior has been a little erratic lately. After that blow up he had at my brother in the Riley Center I’ve been trying to get him to express how he is feeling before it gets to that point.

He runs his hand over my tattoo of Aphrodite.

“Thank you for everything, Lo. It doesn’t go unnoticed.”

His strong hand wrap around my neck and pulls me into a kiss that shows me just how much he appreciates me.

“One more thing,” I say when Byron finally lets me pull away. “I’ve planned a special charity dinner for the Cancer Research Society. If you guys are up for it I’d love for you to be there.”

Byron’s eyes grow quizzical. “How could you plan this without me knowing?”

“I have a lot of free time when you’re at practice.

” I keep my tone cool. Even though these last couple of weeks have been anything but cool.

I’ve threatened more people than I care to admit to keeping this event under wraps until I felt like Byron’s family in a space where I could ask them to come.

“We’ll be there.” Aerie says from the couch. He uses hand to push up from the couch, but he doesn’t have the strength to stand. I take the open seat next to him on the couch and offer him a hug. This event will show him all the support his family will have.

Byron

I know my parents have been excited for this charity event Lola helped plan. Dad can’t stop talking about meeting my classmates from my culinary class who will be cooking for us all today. While Mom is excited to see all my teammates dressed as waiters to serve us at the event.

I don’t want to be here. I love that Lola cares enough to put this event on when she has finals and her competition to worry about. Since the engagement party there hasn’t been I day I wondered if I could rely on Lola she’s just been there.

“Oh my gosh Lola.” My mom’s hands shoot to cover her mouth. “This room looks gorgeous.” One of the banquet halls in The Riley Center is revamped to look like a Parisian hotel. My teammates are all dressed in tuxedos carrying trays of d’oeuvres.

“Thanks,” she turns her head to the side, her cheeks turning pink. She still doesn’t know how to accept a compliment and it’s a habit I’m desperately trying to break her of. “It wasn’t just me, a lot of people care about your son.”

Anxiety bubbles in my chest. I stuff my sweaty palms into the pockets of my black dress pants. I’m not worth this kind of effort. If it weren’t for the fact that this was for charity I wouldn’t be here right now.

“I’m going to go look at the silent action table.” I lean down and kiss Lola’s temple.

“I’ll come with you.”

“No, you show my parents around. I’ll be fine.”

I really just need the alone time alone. I’m in a room full of people I know. People I care about, but it’s all too much.

Lola aced this silent action. There are two tickets to an upcoming Rangers game. A photoshoot with a local photographer. My personal favorite is a tattoo session with Cora.

“What are you going to put your money on?” Marcus asks me while holding out a tray of mini lobster rolls.

“Nothing right now. I’m still in shock that this is happening.” I circle my hands over the room.

“It was killing Lola to keep this from you. She thought you guys might need a pick me up after the move.”

“If there is one thing I’ve learned since my dad’s diagnosis is that I don’t deserve Lola.”

Marcus’ eyes turn to slits as he sets down his tray. He grabs my shoulders so I’m facing him.

“Byron, you are everyone’s best friend. The person they can rely on. Just accept the fact that we all want to be here for you like you have always been there for us.”

Somewhere between my conversation with Marcus and the masses of people who’ve come up to apologize for my dad’s health the event came to an end before I could even place a bet.

“I just want to thank you all for coming.” Lola addresses the crowd. She looks beautiful in her black knee-length dress. Her hair is straightened falling right at her shoulders.

“We were able to raise ten thousand dollars for the Cancer Research Society tonight and none of that would have been possible without you guys.”

“See I told you, a lot of people care for you Byron.” Marcus says.

I don’t know where he comes from, but a laugh bubbles out of me.

I scan the room and realize that almost everyone I care about is in one place.

If they aren’t here they donated an auction item.

For the first time in weeks a genuine smile spreads across my face.