Page 36 of Coastal Rewind

“School was okay?”

She nodded. “As far as I know, yes.”

When I met with MJ’s principal a month ago, he told me there were a few kids picking on MJ and that he would put a stop to it. He didn’t know what comments were being made but it had to have been bad for MJ to react. That kid let most comments roll off his back. I had a feeling Ryleigh knew since the two were thick as thieves, but she hadn’t told me if she did.

She was the type who could keep a secret. I both loved and hated that about her.

Ryleigh shifted so her feet were stretched out on the couch and her back was resting against my arm. She must have been exhausted because her eyes drooped and she looked like she could pass out any second. I moved my arm so it wrapped around her and she fell farther into me. She nodded off to sleep and I watched three episodes of that horrible show just so I didn’t disturb her by reaching for the remote.

sixteen

Ryleigh

I hated my birthday.

Like, I really fucking hate my birthday.

It wasn’t even the concept of aging that bothered me. I thought aging gracefully was beautiful. It was the timer that was about to be blaring in my ear, signifying the end of any possibility that my life could have a different outcome. Every birthday meant another year closer to my fate.

There wasn’t a point in celebrating a life that didn’t matter and would never progress.

I rolled to my back and pulled the duvet over my head, swallowing the urge to scream so I wouldn’t alarm anyone in the house. I didn’t tell them it was my birthday and I had no plan to. I wanted to get through the day without making a fuss.

Owen had texted me last night informing me that we were meeting for dinner tonight. He didn’t phrase it as a question, and I didn’t argue. If there was one acceptable thing I would do on my birthday, it would be to hang out with my other half. I hadn’t had that privilege in a long time.

There was a knock on my door and I shouted for them to enter. The door swung open and MJ came sprinting inside, jumping right on top of me and knocking the wind out of my lungs.

“Happy birthday!” he shouted, shimming under the blanket and snuggling in next to me.

I peered up at the doorway where Mason was leaning against the doorframe with his arms and legs crossed, a big smile on his face.

“Who told you?” I asked with a groan.

He chuckled. “Nolan may have mentioned it.”

“Remind me to put salt in his cookies when I make the next batch,” I muttered.

MJ shook with a laugh next to me. “Those wouldn’t taste very good.”

“No they would not,” I agreed.

“Come on, you two.” Mason turned and gestured for us to follow him.

Reluctantly, I pushed the covers off and got out of bed. MJ laced his little fingers in mine and started dragging me out to the kitchen. When we got there, my feet froze and I think my heart actually stopped.

Helium-filled balloons took up the room so the ribbons dangled as you walked through. The kitchen counter was covered with breakfast foods from eggs to bacon to croissants and fruit. There was a vase with at least two dozen yellow roses and a gift bag sitting in front of it.

I was actually speechless.

“Do you like it?” MJ asked, vibrating with excitement.

I bent down so I could look right into his bright blue eyes. “I love it. Thank you.”

He launched himself into me, wrapping his arms around my neck and squeezing me tight. I scooped him up into my arms and took in the space. I didn’t know how to process this.

Mason pushed the gift bag toward me as I placed MJ on the counter in front of me. I gave him a sheepish smile as I peeked inside of the bag and took out the first piece of tissue paper.

Sitting on top was a handmade card with a drawing of three stick figures. One was significantly shorter than the others, and the man had a baseball in his hand. The girl had long blonde hair and a camera in her hand. I looked down at MJ.