Page 180 of Dream On

Joplin takes a seat beside me, stealing the first bite with a plastic fork. “So I’m getting a cat on Monday.”

My eyebrows lift. “A cat? I thought you hated cats because they’re untrained roommates with fur.”

“Turns out Captain Purrington McSnugglepants is the perfect roommate. He’s my friend Lana’s cat. She’s moving in with her boyfriend who’s allergic,” she says. “I already know he’s going to ignore me and won’t complain about the constant messes. He’s also terrifying, so the weird neighbors might leave us alone. Kind of like a built-in security system with whiskers and a permanent scowl.” She swallows a bite. “Cap for short, by the way. Hope you don’t mind.”

Mom cuts in. “He’s actually very sweet, but he doesn’t like Joplin. Hissed at her the whole time we were visiting Lana.”

“It’s a push-and-pull relationship dynamic. Lots of tension and mewing banter. He’s training me for my ideal lover.”

“Like Rudy?” I can’t help myself.

My sister’s eyes round to mortified saucers. “I texted himonce. One time, Stevie.” She slumps back in the seat, folding her arms. “I liked his socks, okay?”

“Everyone knows that all epic love stories start with llama socks.”

“He’s too old for me.”

“What, like ten years? It’s doable.”

She hesitates, gaze brightening. “You think?”

Dad leans back against the cluttered counter, strewn with cooking utensils, glassware, and crumbs. “I don’t know,” he says, rubbing his salt-and-pepper goatee. “I’m not sure how I feel about another daughter moving out to California.”

A hollow silence infects the kitchen.

I dip my eyes, catching the way my mother elbows my father in the ribs in my periphery.

“I just mean…I missed you, honey,” Dad fumbles, clearing his throat. “And I’m so glad you’re back.”

My jaw tightens as I smear caramel across the plate, camouflaging the turkey’s happy face. “It’s okay. I never really liked the heat anyway. I would’ve missed the change of seasons, the farm life…you guys.” I swallow back a lump. “Los Angeles didn’t feel like home.”

Except…it did.

Hedid.

And I don’t know if I’ll ever get that feeling back.

I pick at my pie and try not to think about Lex. He’s texted me twice since I’ve been back in Illinois, and I wasn’t expecting the communication. He asked me how I was and said happy Thanksgiving. It was something. It wasn’t enough, but it was…something.

I’m still on his mind.

My thoughts begin to spiral when I think about what he might be doing right now.

Is he at a club?

Drowning his sorrows, drinking me away?

Already searching for a rebound?

My stomach curdles like petrified cement, and the few bites of pie try crawling their way back up my throat. “Um…I think I’m going to go lie down. Since you guys are heading out anyway.”

Mom’s brows bend with concern. “Are you sure? We still have some time—”

“I’m sure. Have fun with Fran.” Pulling off my chair, I share a soft glance with my sister. “Maybe we can play some songs together tomorrow on the piano since you’ve been practicing.”

Joplin nods with sympathy-glazed eyes. “Sure thing, sis.”

Mom stops me as I exit the kitchen. “Text us if you need anything. We’re just next door.”