Page 99 of Room to Breathe

“I want one!” Mom called from the kitchen.

I laughed. “I’ll write you one for your birthday!”

“Deal.”

“I have to go.” I pointed over my shoulder at the door.

“Yes, go,” Dad said. “Have a good day.”

I held up crossed fingers and left the house. I walked down the two stairs of the porch and then across the grass until I stood at the edge of the sidewalk. I threaded my other arm into the backpack strap and held on to those straps like they were my anchor. My good feelings of moments before were replaced with panic. The next fifteen minutes could be disastrous.

My heart felt like it was beating out of my chest. A car rounded the corner, but it wasn’t Ava’s. I shifted from one leg to the other, then back again. I was seeing stars. If I fainted, would Ava stop? I sucked in more air. I wasn’t going to faint. I checked my phone. No new messages.

I heard her car. Knew it was hers before I looked. Caroline and Beau were staring out the windows at me. Ava was focusing straight ahead. That didn’t seem good. I took a step forward as her car got closer.

The car slowed down and relief poured through me. Just as I thought she was going to stop, her car kept driving, leaving me behind.

Chapter 41

Now

I watched in shock asher car drove another twenty feet. But then the brake lights lit up and it came to a stop. She hadn’t pulled over to the curb. She had just stopped in the middle of the road. I wasn’t sure if this was some kind of power play, but I wasn’t going to comment on it. I walked those twenty feet into the street and climbed into the car.

I slid out of my backpack and buckled my seat belt. Beau immediately reached over and grabbed my hand. I wondered what had been said in the past ten minutes inside this car. I wondered if Beau had been screaming at Ava to stop five seconds ago. If Caroline had joined in. I wondered who was going to speak first. It should probably be me. I was the one who needed to apologize.

“Thanks for stopping,” I said.

“Thanks for the ambush,” Ava said back sarcastically.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“It was my idea,” Beau interjected. “To have her join carpool this morning.”

“Maybe I should make you both get out, then,” she said, but continued driving.

“Ava,” Beau said. “Will you hear us out?”

“Us?” she asked. “Whyus? There’s only one person in this car I have an issue with.”

Caroline remained quiet, and I wondered if it was because she disagreed with how Ava was responding or completely agreed with it. I was beginning to think the car was the wrong place for a conversation. All I could see were the backs of their heads and Ava’s angry eyes in the rearview mirror.

But it was too late. I was here. “I made mistakes,” I said. “Wasn’t honest with any of you.”

“Your mom asked you not to tell us,” Beau said.

“I know, but I should’ve trusted you.”

“And not ignored us,” Ava said. “Not stood us up and ditched us for Cody and regifted presents we had given you.”

Oof. I had forgotten about that last one. Mostly because I didn’t remember who had given me those presents that I had then given to Harper, but that wasn’t any better. I probably should’ve remembered that. “I was broke,” I said. “I’m sorry.”

She sighed.

“What about you, Caroline?” I said. “Any grievances to add?”

“No,” she said. “I think they’ve all been covered. I don’t want to fight anymore.”

Those words brought the first spark of hope since entering the car. “Me neither. I know I messed up. But I miss you both so much. Can you forgive me? I brought you presents,” I added with a small smile.