Page 150 of The Surprise Play

She doesn’t have to worry about any kind of criticism, and that’s what I want for her in Nolan.

“Time for cake and karaoke!” the youngest member of the group yells, raising her hands with a whoop as she runs into the kitchen.

And that’s how our night goes.

The cake is delicious, and I never knew “Happy Birthday” could be a beautifully harmonized choir piece.

This family is fucking amazing.

And they do not know how to do slightly drunken, off-key karaoke either. These guys cansing, and Satch is no exception.

As she stands by the screen, crooning out some old tune from… it’s gotta be the ’50s or something… she sounds like an angel. Her voice is rich and pure and?—

“Beautiful, sweetheart. You sound just like Ella,” her mother calls, then leans down to whisper in my ear. “Ella Fitzgerald is one of her favorite singers.”

“Okay.” I nod, having no idea who that woman is but guessing she’s long gone.

Everything about this place seems to have a long-gone vibe. It’s like stepping back in history—the artwork, the furniture, the patterned carpet.

This family is stuck in a past they didn’t even grow up in. If my math is right, her parents were born in the ’60s. Well, I guess that’s not too far off, although, based on pictures I’ve seen on history websites, I’d say I was sitting firmly in the ’50s.

And that’s only confirmed when it’s finally time for bed and I’m taken into a guest room with a light pink bedspread… and no Satch.

CHAPTER 46

ELIZABETH

I roll over in my single bed. It groans like it’s too old and tired for me to be here.

It’s smaller than the one I have at college, and my first night home is always an adjustment. This is the bed my parents bought me when I was seven. It was my birthday present that year—a brand-new bed. Well, it was secondhand but brand-new to me.

Mom had specially made a duvet cover for me. She’d found this cool retro fabric and then sewn badges from the 1950s and 60s all over it. There was a Coca Cola emblem and an old coffee shop logo, a burger bar sign, roller skates, vinyl records, and a bunch of other cool stuff.

I used to spend hours lying on this duvet and tracing the different symbols.

I was so happy in this safe little haven.

When it came time to move to college, Mom asked me if I wanted to take it, but I didn’t want to mess up the look of my room. I knew I’d be home at least once amonth, and I wanted to walk in and feel that sense of belonging every time I stepped in here.

But tonight… it feels different.

I’m not even sure why.

I’ve just had the best night. I should be drifting off to sleep in pure bliss, but I can’t get comfy.

Shuffling around, I tuck the duvet around my neck, then start to play with the necklace Wily bought me. It’s the sweetest gift ever. I’ll never take it off.

“Now I’ll always be with you.”

His husky voice when he said that… and the look in his eyes… damn right he’ll always be with me. That boy has a permanent place in my heart no matter what happens.

But did he really mean it?

He’ll be gone after graduation, and I still have two years left at Nolan U. Is he honestly saying he’ll wait for me?

The NFL is going to swallow him whole, take him on this amazing journey, and I don’t know if there’s room for me in that lifestyle.

But he’ll always stay with me. I press the pendant to my lips, kissing it firmly before tucking it back inside my pajama top.