Page 58

Lola

I’m anxiously scrolling through my phone waiting for Byron to come out of the locker room when I get a text that he shared a list with me. A strange sense of déjá vu has me hiding my smile. When I see the name of the list I try but fail to stifle my laugh.

How To Show Lola I’m Grateful For Her.

-Breakfast in bed

-Trip to the barn

-Lunch at jaspers

-Tattoo appointment with Cora

-A visit to Philly

-Telling her I love her everyday

I’m reading the list for what has to be the hundredth time when I’m suddenly wrapped in between two large arms.

I turn to see a smiling Byron. For the first time in months it reaches his eyes.

For a moment I’m so lost in the depth of his baby blues I completely forget that Byron just scored a game winning goal.

“I’m so sorry Byron. I hope you know he really did love you.”

“Thanks, Pips. I know he did.”

The somber look in his turns playful before he asks, “You’re not going to ask about the list I sent you? That’s so unlike you.”

“Well A. it made no sense and B. with everything going on it didn’t seem like the most important thing we had to talk about.”

“Well you’ll be happy to know that my dad inspired that list. He reminded me how important it is to show the people in our lives how much we appreciate them.”

He pushes up the sleeves of his sweatshirt I’m wearing so he can run his hands over my arms.

“Since our second chance started with a to-do list I thought it’s time to start a new one.”

He looks down at his watch before his beautiful blue eyes meet mine.

“We should go now if we don’t want to be late.”

“Late to what?”

The sudden whiplash makes me feel like I need to sit.

“We have appointments with Cora in twenty minutes.”

I shake my head. He just scored the game winning goal in a rivalry game and he wants to get a tattoo?

“Don’t you want to go celebrate with your teammates?”

“It’s only three in the afternoon. I’ll have plenty of time to do that when we are done.”

Fifteen minutes later I’m scrolling through the tattoo ideas I have saved on my phone.

“What are you getting?” I ask Byron, hoping for some inspiration.

He pulls his phone out of his jacket pocket and shows me a rough–and I do mean rough–sketch of his dad’s name with one letter stacked on top of the other bracketed by angel wings.

“Oh Byron. I love the idea.”

Byron has softened me a lot over the last few months, but not enough to make sure he doesn’t make a permanent mistake.

“You’re going to have Cora sketch it right?”

He bursts into laughter. A sound I haven’t heard in awhile.

“Of course. Pips, I’m confident but I know my lanes and drawing isn’t one of them.”

“Oh thank god. I think I’m going to get the coordinates of campus. I never thought a place could mean so much to me but Westvale has given me everything I care about.”

I squeeze his hand. Byron Andrews will forever be the best thing to come out of my time at Westvale.

I sit and enjoy the comfort of the shop. The familiar sound of buzzing needles eases the nerves that come with every new tattoo. Byron goes first, his eyes turn glassy and I know it has nothing to do with the pain.

“I love you and am so proud of you,” I tell him as Cora brings the needle back to his skin. “Thank you for not pushing me away.”

“Thank you for not running when things got tough.”

I want to jump in his lap and just have him hold me. Unfortunately I have to settle for holding his hand.

When both tattoos are done we decide to grab dinner at the new bistro across the street.

It’s not lost on me that this was the same block I bumped into Dalton.

That chance meeting led me back to Byron.

It taught me that forgiveness isn’t weakness, that second chances are worth giving, and that I’m worthy of love.

I’d go through all the embarrassment that comes with your boyfriend’s cheating sex tape being released if it leads me right back here. Everytime without hesitation.

“I have one more surprise for you today,” Byron informs. He digs through his jacket pocket pulling out a long box.

“It’s nothing big, but my dad gave one of these to my mom before he passed and I thought you’d love one too.”

Suddenly it feels like all the oxygen leaves the room. The sentimentality of this gift alone makes me want to rip his clothes off. The thoughtfulness of Byron thinking of me when he had every right to be selfish proves he is not just some goofy class clown.

I slowly peel the lid off. Byron’s leg anxiously shakes under the table.

Laying in the box is a beautiful golden locket, trimmed with an elegant flower border. When I open the pendant I’m greeted by a picture of Byron, Mia and I snuggling up on the couch.

I remember the night this picture was taken.

It was a night after Byron first found Mia last year.

My roommates were out of town for an away game and Byron told his friends he was staying in.

He spent the night at my place. We sat on the couch watching movies with Mia snuggled between us.

It was a simple night, but one of the nights I consider the beginning of Byron and me.

“Byron, I love it.” I gush, unable to stop staring at it.

He reaches across the table and takes my hand.

“We both didn’t have the family’s we deserved growing up but that picture represents the start of our family.

The one we are going to build together. One where we listen to each other’s needs.

We push each other to accomplish our dreams and when things change we’ll be able to pursue our new passions without judgment.

Me and Mia will be your family today and always. ”

“We love you just the way you are.”

“And we’re going to cook a lot of meals together,” I choke out. Just wanting to add to Byron’s beautiful words. There is no way I could articulate our relationship any better.

Byron chuckles and it sounds so beautiful. I’ve missed it over the last few weeks.

“And we are going to laugh a lot.”

I stand up and settle myself in Byron’s lap. Not a care in the world that we are not the only customers in this restaurant.

“Your stomach is going to be in constant pain by how much we laugh.”

“Thank you, Byron, for reminding me of all the beautiful things that can come from a loving relationship.”

“It’s me and you against the world, Pipsqueak.”

“Me and you against the world. I like the sound of that.”