Not the Only One (Book 1 in the Four of Us Trilogy)

Twenty-Two

Miles

I ran through the front door and slammed it behind me, gathering up the soda bottles and the popcorn bowl we had left in the living room, tossing the bottles into the recycling bin and putting the bowl in the dishwasher. The house had to be spotless when my dad got home, or he'd start asking questions about why the house was "such a goddamn mess."

I was about to go upstairs when I heard the Land Rover's engine idling in the driveway. The door opened and closed a couple seconds later. "Anybody home?" My dad's voice rang out, and he sounded like he was in a good mood.

I backed down the stairs and hyped myself up. Maybe today won't be bad...maybe the convention went well.

"Hey Dad, I'm right here," I called, coming back into the living room.

He dropped his bag in front of the counter and stepped toward me. I flinched on instinct but tried my best to hide it. "Come here, son," he said, pulling me into a hug. My eyes widened, and I hugged him back with hesitant arms. What the...

"What's this for?" I asked as he let me go.

He grinned. "I can't hug my only son? Miles, this convention was a major success. I acquired two more properties in Destin—it's a game changer, son. A game changer."

"Wow, Dad, that's awesome. Congratulations," I said, basking in the temporary glow of his affection.

"I'm taking you to lunch. Get dressed," he said, picking his bag up and jogging up the stairs.

I stood rooted to the floor, not believing the exchange my father and I had just shared. He hadn't been that nice to me in ages...and he hadn't laid a hand on me in anything except anger in months. Maybe even years.

So naturally, I was wondering what the hell was going to go wrong next.

Rachel

When I pulled up to the house, my dad was in the yard mowing the grass, and my mom was on the front porch with a cup of coffee and the Sunday paper. I felt such a strong stab of affection for them at that moment that it almost took my breath away. After the past few days with Miles, I had realized how lucky I was to have them.

I put my car in park and grabbed my backpack out of the floorboard. My dad waved to me and kept mowing. I grinned and lifted my hand in his direction, jogging up the front steps to greet my mom.

"Hey Mom," I said, dropping my bag with a thunk onto the wooden floorboards, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey sweetheart," she said, sitting her coffee on the windowsill and hugging me. "Did you have fun with Brooke?"

I gulped. Shit, I hated lying to her. "I did. We just studied for AP Euro and watched Netflix," I lied.

"Sounds fun, baby girl." Mom put her paper down and looked at me.

Oh shit. She knows.

"I need to talk to you about something."

Shit shit shit.

"I checked your grades this morning online. You've got a B in AP Physics."

Oh...a B? That's it?

"Oh...yeah...that's because I failed a test. Mr. Brooks is going to let me retake it. It was just a hard concept that it took me a while to grasp," I explained. Only a partial lie. It was a hard concept, but I grasped it the first time Brooks explained it. I failed the test because I spent half the class period daydreaming about Miles and his damn kisses. By the time the bell rang, I was only halfway done. So I got a 50.

Mom nodded, placated by my explanation. "Well, all right...I just know they'll be announcing valedictorian in the next few weeks. You've been working toward this for years, and I know how much it means to you."

She was right; they didn't start calculating our GPAs until 9th grade, but since middle school, it's been clear who valedictorian and salutatorian would be. Since we started high school, I've gotten nothing less than an A—if I'm honest, nothing less than a 98%.

But let's be real; I have had no social life except for hanging out with Brooke. Until now...until Miles.

Grades weren't the first thing on my mind these days, but my mom was right; being valedictorian was important to me.

"I'll get it back up above a 93, Mom. I promise. I'm retaking the test after school tomorrow before I go to–" I stopped. Tomorrow was Miles' district baseball game against South Walton, and he had asked that I come cheer him on. But I had never so much as stepped foot on the baseball field—or any field—in 4 years. I wasn't sure I wanted to have this conversation with Mom right now.

But it was too late. She was peering at me with a raised eyebrow. 

"Before you go where?" she asked idly.

"I-uh-I'm going to the baseball game," I mumbled.

"Baseball game?"

"Yep." I stood up, picking up my backpack and heading toward the door.

Mom grabbed my wrist, and I rolled my eyes. Damnit.

"Rachel Mae, are you okay?" she asked, reaching up and holding her palm against my forehead.

"I'm fine, Mom. I just thought I'd..." I looked down at her and realized I couldn't lie to her—and I didn't want to. "Mom...I have a boyfriend," I blurted.

She blinked once and then her grin may have outshined mine. "You do!? That's great, sweetheart!" she exclaimed, pulling me into a hug. "Who is it?"

I swallowed. "Miles Jefferson."

Her mouth cracked open. "Miles Jefferson? Really? That's unexpected," she said, and I could tell she was choosing her words with care.

I laughed. "It's okay. I know it's weird. But he's different, Mom. He's so different than I thought he was." I felt my face redden as I thought about all the secrets we'd shared, not to mention the more tender moments.

She smiled and reached over to put her hand on my cheek. "I'm happy for you then, baby girl. You look happy." 

To my surprise, tears filled my eyes. "I am, Mom. For the first time since we lost James, I'happy." 

"I'm so glad, darling. Now, when do we get to meet him?"

Shit, I thought for what felt like the tenth time this morning.

Instead, I said, "Soon. I promise."

She nodded. "Good. Let's go inside and get some lunch." She called for my dad and he waved in recognition.

When I got inside, I took my bag upstairs and dropped it in my room. I heard the front door shut and fifteen seconds later, I heard my dad's voice.

"Boyfriend!?"

Shit.