Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“We were working on the holiday concert that Rory and Jesse are doing,” Brock says.
“It’s going to rock,” Jesse says. “I hope you’re planning to be there.”
“Oh, yeah, I wouldn’t miss it. Mom and Dad are coming too.”
“They like rock and roll?”
“They like your band, Jess,” I say. “But they’re also looking forward to hearing Rory’s operatic numbers.”
“It’ll be my last time singing some of those,” Rory says. “Time to definitely hang up that hat and then get ready for the tour.”
“I know. So amazing that you guys are going on tour with Emerald Phoenix.”
Rory’s eyes shine.
“You seem excited.”
“Wouldn’t you be? Emerald Phoenix?”
“Yeah. I’m a big fan,” I say.
Then Rory bursts into a huge smile.
“Oh, for God’s sake,” Brock says. “Just tell him, Rory.”
“All right, but you’re sworn to secrecy. Both of you.” She looks at Ava.
“My lips are sealed,” Ava says, still not looking at me.
“Sit down for a minute, Brendan. This is a secret.”
I take the seat next to Ava and intentionally nudge my thigh against hers.
“Emerald Phoenix is going to be at the concert,” Rory says quietly. “It’s a secret, so don’t tell anyone else.”
“Seriously?” Ava says, a little too loudly.
“Yeah. They’re only going to do a couple of numbers. And we’re not allowed to advertise it that way or people will be coming from all over the state to see the concert, and the venue just isn’t big enough for that.”
“Yeah, I get it,” I say.
“Brendan,” Lisa yells from the front. “Your pizza’s ready.”
I rise. “Good luck getting ready, and that’s wonderful news. I can’t wait to see the concert.”
I don’t look at Ava as I walk to the front, grab my pizza, and go.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ava
“Trouble in paradise?” Jesse drawls.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I take a bite of my olive oil–soaked bread.
“No biggie, cuz,” Brock says. “You can do better than Brendan Murphy.”
“Hey,” I say.
He elbows my ribs. “I knew that would get you. Brendan’s a great guy, I’m kidding.”
“We’ll work it out,” I say. “We’ve just both got a lot going on right now in our personal lives.”
“Anything we can help with?” Rory asks.
Brock shoots her a look.
“I mean, I understand if it’s personal.”
I take a drink of water. “Yeah, it’s personal. Like I said, we’ll work it out.”
And now can we please stop talking about it?
Lisa comes by with our orders.
“Where are Nora and Sadie tonight?” Brock asks.
“They both had some party they wanted to go to. I could only get one of the shifts covered, so I’m pulling double duty tonight. Anything else I can get you four?”
“I’m good.” I inhale. Lisa’s robust marinara sauce always smells great, even when I’m not feeling hungry.
“Good enough. Anyone need a refill on drinks?”
Brock, Rory, and Jesse are sharing a bottle of Chianti.
“Actually,” I say to Lisa, “bring me a wineglass. I think I’ll have some of that.”
“Then we’re going to need another bottle,” Brock says.
Later, I drive back to my parents’ house on the ranch. I packed a bag, and I’ll be spending the night in my old room.
What I really want to do is see Brendan. I miss him. I want to show him my tattoo.
But for some reason, I feel like I need to talk to my grandmother.
Mom and Dad are nowhere to be found when I get there, so after dropping off my bag in my room, I head to my grandmother’s room, disregarding my promise to my father that I wouldn’t see her without him present.
I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.
The night nurse is there, checking her vitals. My grandmother’s awake, and she looks at me and smiles.
“I was hoping you’d come tonight, Ava.”
I pull my bracelets off my wrist. “Grandmother, I need you to tell me about these bracelets.”
“So your mother finally gave them to you.”
“She did. After she told me about…”
Wendy nods. “Yes, about what a horrible person I am.”
I say nothing for a moment. Then, “Mom told me they came from my Grandmother Didi. That Didi gave them to her because I was an old soul.”
“You are an old soul, Ava. Who do you think told Grandma Didi that?”
“You?”
“I’m the one who led your father to your grandmother,” Wendy says. “Ruby’s father told her that Didi was dead, but she wasn’t. Your father loved your mother so much, so I allowed him to find Didi and give Ruby the gift of her mother.”
“You? This whole time?”
“You already know I didn’t die that day, don’t you?”
“How can someone…” I shake my head. “Help me understand, Grandmother.”
“I think what you want to know is, how can I do both horrendous things and wonderful things?”
“Yes.”
“Nothing is black-and-white in this life, Ava. Surely you know that. Being the old soul that you are.”
I nod. She’s right. I do know that.
“So did these bracelets ever belong to Grandma Didi?”