Right?
For the next sixty minutes, Beckham grills my algebraic knowledge, rewarding me with his endearing dimples every time I get a question right and taking the time to teach me how to derive at the correct answer on the ones I get wrong. By the time I’m packing my things away in my backpack, I’m surprised at how much more confident I feel after that little cram session.
“Thank you so much for doing that. I think it really helped,” I boast as I stand up and straighten out my jeans. “I’ll be at my car during my break if you want to hang out. I found a new band I think you’ll really dig.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you there after class.” He walks around the small, square table and leans in to kiss me on the mouth, but I turn my face just in time and his lips brush against my cheek. “Good luck on your test, Hudson.”
My exam goes exceptionally well; if I didn’t get a 100, I definitely made an A. And hanging out with Beckham, who’s actually a sweet guy when he’s not being over-the-top clingy or trying to impress me, isn’t nearly as awkward as I feared it would be. But by the time my last class of the day wraps up, I’m more than ready to be back at Fire on the Mountain. I’ve only wondered how Crew spent his day a little more than a dozen times, and I’m beginning to get on my own nerves. It’s borderline pathetic.
The latest Jasmine Thompson album keeps me company on the lengthy drive home down the highway, which, thankfully, has been recently cleared by the snow plows in anticipation of the rush hour traffic, and with the volume turned up almost full blast, I sound just like her…British accent and all. By the time I pull up at my house, it’s already dark outside and the arctic temperatures are plummeting. Impulsively glancing in the direction of cabin number eight, I notice the Elliott’s rental car is parked out front, but there aren’t any lights on inside. Weird.
I don’t have to speculate long on their whereabouts, because the minute I open my front door, I’m greeted with the sound of Caleb and Brighton squabbling over the correct placement of silverware on the table. Music to my frozen ears.
Sticking my head into the dining room, I find the two of them, along with Crew and Denver, all huddled over a single placemat at the head of the table, shuffling the utensils and napkin around the plate in the center.
“Are we expecting the Pope for dinner, or what? When did we get so fancy?” I ask with a chuckle, curious as to why in the world it matters where any of it’s placed as long as everyone has something to eat with and a paper towel to wipe their mouth.
They all stop what they’re doing and look up at me, acknowledging my arrival with a smile and a hello before returning their attention back to the insignificant task at hand. Everyone, but Crew. As soon as he sees me in the doorway, his face lights up like a Christmas tree and he pounces, eating up the length of the room in three lengthy strides.
“Thank God, you’re home. I was about to lose my mind with them,” he jests as he drags me back into the entry foyer, helping me wriggle out of my coat and hanging it on the rack by the door. “You deserve some sainthood award for putting up with more than one sibling on a daily basis. They never stop bickering, and apparently Caleb thinks he’s one of them.”
Capturing my cheeks between his hands, he lowers his face to mine and softly kisses my lips, then pulls back slightly to stare into my eyes. “How was your test, snow angel? Sorry we missed you this morning.”
I beam up at him, knowing damn well I’ve got some ridiculous, dopey grin on my face, but seriously, this is the best thing I’ve ever come home to. Like in the history of ever. I’m probably dreaming all of it, and it’s really going to suck when I wake up and slam back into reality.
“My test was great. I think I did really well.” I crinkle my brow, trying to remember if I mentioned it to him yesterday. “How did you know about it?”
“Your dad told us this morning why you weren’t at breakfast. We were later than usual,” he steals a glimpse over at his younger brother, “‘cause Caleb had his first episode-free morning in over four months today.”
My eyes grow wide with astonishment as I replay his words in my head. “Oh, my God! Are you serious?”
Nodding emphatically, he does nothing to hide the vast optimism in his voice. “After the one here yesterday, there’s been nothing…not even an absence seizure, which is when he spaces out a couple times a day, or a headache.”
“That’s incredible! Has he been using the vaporizer?”
“Yeah, every six hours or so. Now that the CBD is building up in his bloodstream, it really seems to be working. I know it’s early to say, but today was a huge step in the right direction.”
This time, it’s me who lifts up on my tiptoes, throwing my arms around his neck and crashing my mouth on his. “That’s the best news I’ve heard in forever,” I mumble against his lips, an equal mixture of hope and happiness coursing through me.
He grabs hold of my hand and leads me into the living room, where our parents and Grams are relaxing in front of the fireplace, each with a glass of wine. Answering questions about how my day went, I give them all a hug hello and express my enthusiasm, mainly to Mary, about Caleb’s noteworthy day.
“We have you and your family to thank, Hudson.” She wraps me in a tight embrace and I can feel the overwhelming joy radiating from her. “Without your kindness and generosity, we’d still be weeks away from getting into a doctor and getting a prescription.”
“I’ll do whatever I can to help Caleb,” I reply truthfully as we release each other. “The kid has an unmatched charisma that you can’t help but fall in love with.”
Mel stands up with her near-empty glass and kisses the top of my head. “My Hudson the Healer. I’ve always said you should’ve been a doctor or a vet.”
I scrunch my nose up and shake my head. “Oh, heck no. That’s way too much time in school for me.”
“Speaking of time,” she squints her eyes to see the clock across the room, “I think we’re just gonna order pizza tonight instead of cooking, if that’s okay with everyone. It’s already close to six.”
We all nod in agreement, Crew and Mary not realizing how big of a deal my mom’s announcement is. My parents never allow us to order pizza unless it’s a special occasion, like one of our birthdays. What’s even funnier is knowing the argument currently taking place in the dining room is all for naught. They’re fighting over place settings we aren’t even going to use, since pizza is always eaten on paper plates. I should be a good big sister and alert them of this tidbit of information, but I’m more curious about who wins out and gets their way. My money is on Brighton.
“Sounds good. Is it okay if Crew and I hang out in my room and watch a movie until it’s time to eat?” Well aware my parents won’t care one bit what we do, I ask permission more for Mary’s benefit, ensuring she doesn’t object.
“No problem, sweetie,” my dad pipes up. “You guys can eat in there too. I’m sure you could both use a break from the young’ns.”
I nearly fall over with shock at his words, but keep my mouth closed. We are never, and I repeat never allowed to eat away from the table. Dining is a family experience in this house—at the table. Maybe my parents have hit the bong a few too many times today. Whatever it is, I’m not questioning it.
After excusing ourselves, I grab us a couple bottles of water and we escape to the peace and quiet of my bedroom, closing—but not locking—the door behind us. Spinning around, a little bit nervous and a whole lot excited, I collide face-first into Crew’s body and drop the waters on the floor, triggering his hands to shoot out to steady my shoulders, and at his touch, the outside world ceases to exist.