Page 5 of When We Were Young

“Hank’s just right there.” I point to my beat-up hatchback sitting by its lonesome in the parking lot.

“Hank? Aren’t cars supposed to be female? I’m not sure I’ve ever heard someone give their car a traditionally male name.”

“Well, now you have.” I tilt my head toward my vehicle and kick at the ground with the toe of my beat-up sneaker. “I really should go.”

“Okay. I should, too. Hopefully I’ll see you again soon.”

I nod at him and walk toward my car.

“Hey,” he calls out.

I stop and look over my shoulder.

“I just realized, I know your car’s name, but I never got yours. I’m Holden Aron.” He’s watching me, expectant.

“My name is Lizette, but most people call me Lizzie. It was really nice to meet you. And thank you for making me laugh tonight. I needed it. Maybe I’ll see you around sometime, Holden Aron.”

Chapter Three

Holden

“Ithink I met my future wife.” I know I’m grinning like a fool when I say it, despite Harrison groaning before I’ve finished the entire sentence.

Okay, I’m aware that it’s probably too early for me to know that for sure, but there is something about Lizette that’s kept her at the forefront of my mind since we met.

“Oh brother,” Harrison responds. He rubs his forehead with the tips of his fingers.

Hayden laughs at Harrison’s response and shakes his head.

“I’m one hundred percent serious.” I grin as I shuffle the deck of cards I’m holding, then deal us five cards each. As soon as Henry gets here, we’re ready to start our game.

“Holden, you’re twenty years old, and you live in a frat house. You should be having fun with your fraternity brothers. Maybe go on some dates. Go to parties, for God’s sake. Not meeting your soulmate.” Harrison glances over at Hayden. “No offense.”

Hayden shrugs. “None taken. I’m good with where Charlie and I are at.” He glances over at me, and his expression turns serious. “But I can’t say I disagree with Harrison. You just met Library Girl and barely spoke with her. If you like her, ask her out for coffee. Get to know her.”

“First, her name is Lizette, not Library Girl. And we’ve spoken, some. It’s hard because you’re supposed to be quiet in a library, so I have to wait until the end of the night to say much.”

“Regardless, you should skip next weekend’s hangout with us and go to a frat party,” Harrison says.

“I’m sorry, did I just hear right?” The three of us look over at the door.

Henry is standing there holding a couple of pizzas, with Heath and a red-faced, puffy-eyed Georgie in tow.

Georgie immediately goes to the couch and sits with her legs drawn close to her chest, almost as if she’s trying to make herself as small as possible. As usual, she has a book in her hand.

“Hi, everyone. I hope it’s okay that I crashed Crazy Eights night.” Georgie’s voice is soft and timid, nothing like her usual bubbly, energetic self.

The three of us at the table—Hayden, Harrison, and I—say our hellos, and I get up to hug Heath. Our sixteen-year-old brother rarely comes to our Saturday-night brother hangouts. He’s usually too cool for his older brothers, so I’m thrilled to see him. He hugs me back, albeit a bit awkwardly.

Minutes later, we’ve all got our pizza and drinks atop the card table we have set up for the game and, noticing that Georgie hasn’t gone to get any food yet, I walk back to the kitchen. I grab two slices of pizza and then rifle through the refrigerator until I find the orange soda I know she loves. When I take it over to her, she glances up with surprise in her eyes.

“I don’t have to eat, and you didn’t have to do that.”

“Of course, you have to eat, and I’m happy to do it. Don’t all the gentlemen in those romance novels you’re reading do this kind of thing? I’m just practicing for my future.” I grin at her, and I’m pleased when a small giggle escapes her.

“Thank you, Holden.”

“No problem, kiddo.” I ruffle her hair, and she pulls away, but she’s smiling.