Mine Would Be You (110)
And the bright light is dimmed when I sense the presence of someone by the stairs. I glance over to see Liam’s tall figure on the porch, car keys in hand.
My smile falls immediately, like it was never there as he walks towards his own car.
He pauses when he reaches the back door, eyes coasting over me. “How difficult are you going to make this exactly?” His voice is smooth and deep as it reaches me.
I watch him lazily and shrug, “Depends on the day.”
Liam reaches in and grabs another smaller bag from his car, slinging it onto his shoulder. “Great, great. Looking forward to it.” The sarcasm drips from his words so at least we’re on the same page, in that respect.
I look at him for a second, realizing how out of place we each look in opposite ways. Him because he’s dressed like he’s going to a business meeting and came here because he could, for a job. And me, because I simply, don’t fit here anymore.
I did everything in my power to separate myself from this place after growing up. It’s never been anything but a black hole in my life, that has sent me spiraling down many different paths. And I never thought I’d have to walk them again.
Liam’s shoes crunch as he walks towards the steps, locking his car with a beep as he turns to look at me once more, gesturing to my sitting body. “Wish I could say it was nice to meet you and that this will be easy, but I can’t.”
My lips quirk up just slightly as I look at him, with a raised eyebrow, not bothering to answer. He holds my gaze for a second, unflinching as we both look at each other, both of us unamused by the others mere presence.
The screen door swings open with a loud creek breaking the stare off, my eyes flicker over to Shane who stands in the doorway. “Mr. Landon, I can show you the guest room if you’re ready?” He says, looking between the two of us.
“Please, call me Liam.” He responds, his lips quirking up in a small smile.
Shane nods, holding the door open for Liam as he passes through, before looking at me, the darkness settling in around us and the constellations starting to peak through. Little flickers of light in a sea of darkness.
He hesitates, “Are you coming in Shey?” His words are soft, like when we were kids, but I shake my head, taking one last look at the house and my suitcases on the gravel.
“No.” Is all I offer before hoping into my car and starting the engine, letting Nyx hop right on in with me. I ignore the flash of disappointment on his face, ignore the suitcases left on the driveway, and pull the fuck away from that house.
At least for a little while.
END OF SNEAK PEEK
Acknowledgments
It feels very strange even beginning this section of the book. Somehow, after the writing, the endless editing, and everything in between, this is the hardest part. When I started this story right before the pandemic hit, I never envisioned finishing it that winter and picking it back up to turn it into this. This is at once, both fulfilling a lifelong dream of mine and also the scariest thing I have ever done. And I certainly wouldn’t have done it without any of you. Thank you for loving the very rough first draft of Jackson and Nina’s story, for loving them like I did, and for pushing me on this journey. There are no words that can express how grateful I am for all of you. Thank you a million times and more for taking this into your hands and helping me put it out into the world.
To my mom, who for once kept this a secret from the rest of my family and for helping me along the way. Even though I’m secretly hoping you never actually, ever read this. Thank you for always encouraging me and forever being the optimist. Dad, please never read this, I’ll never look at you again. Thank you for never failing to push me when I needed it and being kind, when I needed that more. Life would be very different without the both of you in it.
To Kennedy, I am forever grateful to call you my friend (my bestie forever actually, you are stuck with me). I cannot say how thankful I am to have met you when I did, I don’t always understand why certain things in life happen, but I’m eternally grateful this world brought you into mine. I cannot wait to be roommates and shout your brilliance from every rooftop in the city.
To Sabine, the SpongeBob to my Patrick. I have so much fun with you; parallel parking in Philly, bonding over our love of grilled cheeses, rom-coms and being certified horse girls. You are awesome and I am so thankful for you. You were the first person I told about Mine Would Be You and it wouldn’t be here without your support.
To Jules, I love you more than you love this story (no matter what you think). You deserve everything good and kind in this world and more.
To Liya, you are an angel—not only to me but so many others—and I’m sorry to say you are stuck with me for life. Thank you for always being excited with anything I send you, I can’t explain how much it means to me.
To Steph and Jenni, thank you a million times over for putting up with my questions. Helping with translations and giving feedback. For being my indecisive air signs with me and somehow helping me make decisions. And for being the Sad Girls Club, I love being sad together and I love you both.
To my twitter friends: Mia, Foo, Jay, Emaan, Jordyn, Emry, Shan, Zoe, Est, Kay, Ivanna, Pome, Kelsey, Hope, Ali, Amaal, Maria, Em, Hannah, and everyone else (I’m sorry, I’m panicking and overwriting, and I will message you all a million times) on twitter, on Instagram, anywhere and everywhere, thank you for being my friends. Thank you for supporting everything and being excited over things when they haven’t even been written. I truly can’t wait to share everything with you all.