Page 39 of When We Were Young

Georgie walks into the apartment, and I watch as her eyes dart around the room, assessing my new living space. I chuckle. It’s obvious she’s trying to force a smile and simultaneously disguise a grimace. The twisting of her pretty features is comical.

“You know your face always rats you out, right? I’m not sure why you even try to disguise it.”

“What? Nuh uh. It’s... It’s nice.” Her voice squeaks.

“It’s a good thing you’re an author and not an actress because your acting skills are shit.”

A warm laugh erupts from her. She walks over to the fridge and grabs a can of the lemonade I bought for her, then ambles over and plants herself across from me, sitting cross-legged.

“I thought you were cleaning today. Doesn’t look like you did much.” She’s fighting a smirk. I halfheartedly kick my foot at her, but it misses. “Seriously, though, it’s a nice place and will be a comfy home for you and Simon... once it’s clean.”

“Yeah, it will be. I’ll get as much done as I can today so the movers can bring our stuff into a clean home. I want Simon’s room—the entire place, really—filled with familiar things.”

I pick up my soda and take a long, refreshing pull, needing a moment to process my situation.

“It needs to feel like home to Simon. He’ll be back from his grandma’s house in the next few days.”

“Hey,” Georgie says, “It’s going to be fine. You’re not alone here. You’re in a place that can finally be home, where people watch out for each other. Both of you will love Aron Falls, and Simon will adjust just fine. Don’t worry.”

Her voice is smooth, soft, and meant to be reassuring, I’m sure.

“I really hope you’re right. The idea of putting down roots and of having a place to call home is something Simon and I both need.”

But she doesn’t know Landon. I’ve told her stories, but that’s all she has to go on.

Because Landon Carter is hell-bent on punishing me for not wanting him. He was never my choice, and he knew it. No amount of family influence or money could buy me, and he hated that. I may have walked away from the man I loved all those years ago because of him, but I would never be his.

I stare at the ceiling.

“He doesn’t stay away, Georgie,” I say quietly. She knows who I’m talking about without me having to say his name.

“Hey, Heath will be around more soon. I promise no one will bug you when that giant is around. Plus, he has four brothers in town. You’ll get to know them, and I’m sure they’ll all become just as protective of you and Simon as they are of the rest of us.”

I smile at Georgie. She’s so outgoing and easy to get along with that it comes naturally to her to make friends. I usually keep to myself. Well, unless Georgie drags me out of my cave and makes me socialize.

“Maybe.”

Georgie’s eyes narrow, and a small laugh escapes her.

“There’s no maybe, Lizzie. You’re not going to successfully hold these people at a distance. Aron Falls is your home now, and the citizens are going to be your people.”

I’m surprised by a hopeful stirring in my heart. It’s been a long time since I allowed myself to believe Simon and I could be a part of a community, a family. That we could have a place of our own for more than a year.

“I guess we’ll see what happens. My main concern is Simon, making him feel safe, and giving him so much love that he never doubts how important he is to me.”

“How is he doing with everything?”

I shrug and cast my gaze downward at the thin-plank oak flooring that I’m hoping to bring back to life.

“I think he’s okay most of the time. However, he’s grown even quieter. I’m hoping it’s temporary—that when he adjusts to Aron Falls, he’ll open up more.”

“Yeah, well, I think any six-year-old would need time. Getting off the school bus, excited to see his mom, and walking in on a large man putting his hands on her would shake any kid. He’ll need time to feel secure again.”

It’s the first and only time Landon laid hands on me. Usually, he just uses his words to fight. The last time was different. It was when I told him I was leaving Elladine. He was furious and grabbed me by my upper arms and squeezed so hard he left bruises.

“Can we talk about something else?”

I rise, and a squeal of discomfort escapes my lips. Damn, all that up-and-down on the stepladder while washing the walls really did a number on my body and woke up muscles that I hadn’t used in a long time.