Chapter Thirty-Three

“You’re killin’ me, Whiskey.” Stevie face planted on my bed with a groan. “I know you’re in the happy sex bubble, and as proud as I am over that, my misery is more important.”

I laughed, putting my laundry away. The sound of my sister singing on her toy karaoke machine leaked through the walls from next door.

“I can’t spend another night with my mother.” Stevie shook her head. “Please… save me… or you will have to come visit me in jail.”

“You know you can come with me. There are always people at Doug’s.”

“No.” Stevie sat up, folding her legs underneath, a frown turning down her mouth. “He might be there.”

“Actually, he hasn’t been there at all lately.” I shut my drawer. “Hunter actually called him wondering where he was, but he said he was going to hang at home.”

Stevie snorted. “That’s probably code for banging another one of those promo girls.”

“I don’t know…” I curled on the bed next to her. “Something’s going on with him. Even the guys are worried about him, and you know how clueless men usually are about stuff like that.”

Stevie’s lips thinned, but she shrugged. “Whatever. He’s not my concern.”

I covered my face, groaning. “You are so stubborn. You drive me nuts.”

“I drive most people crazy.” She smiled. “But mostly in bed.”

“Speaking of that, no new Disney princess to talk about?”

“In this town? I think I checked all of them off. Plus, I think I’m done with Disney. Boring. Need to try Marvel now.” She leaned back against my headboard. “So… when are we going to head to New York? Please say soon because I’m about to beg Reece to hang out with me tonight.”

My sister’s off-tune rendition of a pop song continued to vibrate through the walls, making me want to crawl out the window, my ears bleeding with pain.

“A few weeks?” I put my hands together, pleading. “Please. Hunter and I are still…”

“Fucking like rabbits.” She sighed. “I get it. Believe me. I’m just so ready to get out of here.”

“I know.” I was too; the only thing keeping me from running to New York was Hunter. I still didn’t know what we were going to do, how we were going to work it out.

My phone buzzed on my desk. I leaped over, expecting to see Hunter’s name popping up. He told me he’d be visiting Cody after work, before I came to the house.

My eyebrows pinched together at the sight of an unfamiliar number flashing on my screen. The area code was not from around here.

“Hello?” I put the cell to my ear.

“Hello. May I speak with Jaymerson Holloway?”

“This is she.” I peered up at Stevie, shrugging.

“Hello, Ms. Holloway, my name is Erika Anderson. I work at the Smithsonian.” Everything froze, only the thump of my heart ticking in my ears tracked time passing.

“Ms. Holloway?”

“Yes. Yes, I’m here.” My hand slapped my chest, air squeezing in my lungs.

“I received a call and letter of recommendation from Caterina Bianchi at the Accademia Gallery.”

A squeak came from me, my eyes meeting Stevie’s curious ones.

“Normally I would never consider someone so young and with such little study in the field, but Caterina and I go way back. She would not recommend someone to me unless she really believed this person was quite special. I do not take her references lightly. Plus, recommendation came from another person, a Colleen Russo, I think. But it was Caterina who made me take a moment to look at your portfolio.”

Oh. My. God. Caterina did it. She actually took the time to contact them on my behalf. My chest swelled with joy, pride, and flat out fear. Terror I wouldn’t live up to the endorsement from the renowned Caterina Bianchi. What if I failed her? Failed myself? I swallowed through the anxiety.

“The fact you have already worked with Caterina at the Accademia and came out favorably speaks volumes. Not many last under her.”

“It was a dream to work and learn from her.” I finally spoke, my throat dry. Stevie perched on my bed, waving her arms around wanting to know who I was talking to.

“I am calling now because as you know, our submissions were closed, our choices for the positions already picked. Unfortunately, someone had to drop out, leaving a vacancy. I wanted to first see if you would be interested in an interview for the position before I proceeded to our waiting list.”

Holy. Shit. Was this happening? My head started to spin before I realized no words were coming out of my mouth.

“Yes.” I gripped the phone. “Yes, I would love the opportunity.”

“Great. How’s the day after tomorrow, around four p.m.?” Erika asked. “I’ll email the specifics.”

“Yes. That would be fine.” I didn’t care how; I would make it work. The train from my grandparents to DC was only five or six hours.

“If everything goes well, the internship starts in less than two weeks. We usually take on graduates, so if you are thinking about fitting university in, be ready for a very strenuous year. We are very hands-on here.”

I knew my dad was focused on my going to college, but this would be learning in the field. Hands-on experience instead of theory. Granted, I still wanted to continue my education, but this was the most important to me. I would fit in art history and science at night if I had to. I knew the rarity of even getting an interview for this. I was going to seize this opportunity and not let go.

“Thank you, Mrs. Anderson.” I gaped, my lungs struggling to draw in oxygen.

“Call me, Erika.” Her tone lightened. “I look forward to meeting you, Jaymerson. Goodbye.”

“Same. Goodbye.” I clicked the off button, my mobile dropping to the floor along with my jaw. “Holy shit.”

“What? What happened? Oh my god, I’m dying over here.” Stevie bounced on my bed.

“That was Erika… from the Smithsonian. They want to interview me for the two-year internship there.” I shook my head in shock.

Stevie blinked, then screamed, excitement igniting her face. “OH. MY. GOD. WHISKEY! This is amazing!” She bounded off the bed, tackling me in a bear hug.

“What’s going on?” Reece burst through the door, her hand propped on her hip, followed closely by Mom and Grandma.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?” Mom searched the room looking for any reason we’d be screaming.

Still trying to soak in the news, I palmed my chest, a smile expanding my features.

“The Smithsonian called!” Stevie danced on her toes, picking up Reece and dancing around with her.

“What?” Mom’s mouth dropped as she turned to me.

“They want to talk with me the day after tomorrow.” I was too young to have a heart attack, right? “Caterina recommended me, and they want to interview me for the two-year internship I told you about.”

“Really?” Mom’s hand went to her mouth, but excitement bubbled in her eyes. “The Smithsonian! Oh my god, are you kidding me?” She darted to me, hugging me with a squeal. “This is so exciting!”

I hugged Mom back, but when I pulled away, my gaze caught Grandma’s.

“I knew you would get it.” She winked at me, pride filling her face.

Tears fell as I ran to her, squeezing her to me. “Thank you. Thank you for pushing me, for believing in me.”

“That was the easy part, my girl,” she whispered in my ear, her embrace strong. “If you get it or not, it doesn’t matter. I couldn’t be prouder of you. Don’t ever let fear stop you from the possibilities. Life is to short, take it by the horns, fight for what you want, and don’t ever apologize for it.” She kissed my temple. “I have no doubt you will get it.”

I knew I was younger than the other applicants and had a lot less schooling, but what I learned in Italy was way beyond the classroom. The hours with Angelo, meticulously restoring a sculpture done by a famous artist, or the countless times I listened to Luca discuss art, or the exhausted days they had me running around. There was always a lesson in what they had me do. I learned so much there.

I was going to get this internship.

Only one thing nibbled at the excitement.

Hunter.

Once again, we barely had time to be together before our clock ran out.

 

 

My jeep skidded up to Doug’s house, excitement still making my hands shake. Hunter’s text was brief, just saying he was home. I practically flew out the door after Dad got home from work, and I shared the news with him. At first he was stunned but quickly absorbed my exhilaration, hugging me tightly. I could see the questions about school forming behind his smile, how it would work and where I’d go, but he bit them back, knowing nothing was certain until after the interview.

Excitement and fear circled my stomach when I saw Hunter sitting on the front porch waiting for me. It took me back to the time he left the first time to follow his dream, how easily we fell apart. Were we stronger now? Could we make this work?

Trepidation dripped slowly on my joy like tar when I saw him rise seeing me step out of the car.

“Hey.” I practically skipped toward him, but I slowed when he moved down the steps, his jaw clenching in fury, his gaze driving into me. “What’s wrong?”

He stared at me for another moment, ripping the air from my lungs, his anger extinguishing all my elation.

“Hunter, you’re scaring me…” I swallowed.

“What did you say to Krista?” he spoke, his timbre low and deadly.

“What?” Confusion wrinkled my brow.

“I can’t believe you.” He ran his hand over his hair, glancing to the side. “You had no right.”

“What are you talking about?”

His head snapped back to me as he strode toward me, his chest puffed, looming over me. His hands rolled into fists. I stepped backward.

“Krista told me what you said to her at the party,” he spat at me. “She thinks Cody should start calling me ‘uncle’ now… that I should no longer be his father.”

Oh shit.

“Hunter…”

“No, Jayme.” He shook his head. “You had no fucking right to step in like that. What relationship I have with Krista and Cody is my business. Not yours!”

“Not my business?” My spine went rigid. “If we are going to try and make this work, then, yes, it is my business because it affects me too.” I took back the few steps parting us. “Especially because that’s what tore us apart before.”

“You leaving for Italy is what tore us apart,” he growled.

“Seriously?” My head rattled. “That only parted us physically; we were already broken by then.”

“How Krista and I raise Cody, what he calls me, is our decision.” He stabbed at his chest.

“Yes, it is.” I nodded. “But don’t say it doesn’t affect me or what happens between us. Answer me honestly. Do you want to stay here and work in a garage the rest of your life?”

“Is that not good enough for you? I’m not fuckin’ Colton… I told you that. I would never be the guy who would work at my father’s company and wear suits.”

“That’s not what I am saying. If you truly love working at Doug’s garage and staying in this town, that’s great. But take Cody out of the equation for a moment. Would you stay here? Would this make you happy day in and out?”

Hunter inhaled, shifting on his feet, no answer coming to his lips.

“I know you, Hunter. You’ve always wanted more. Maybe the dream of being a supercross legend is gone but don’t give up on life because you’re scared to try again. You are only twenty and so talented. Don’t hide here because it’s simpler.”

“You make it sound so easy,” he snarled.

“You think I find it easy?” I snapped back, tears building behind my eyes.

“I’ve lost everything I ever loved. My brother, my career. I’ve almost died several times, my bones were crushed, I had to learn to walk again, twice, and I watched my family fall apart. My mother tried to commit suicide, and you walk away from me. Cody is the only consistent thing that has kept me going. He’s my brother’s… the last piece I have of Colton.”

“I know.” I rubbed my temples. I felt no matter what I said I would come across as the bitch because a baby was involved. “But even when Colton was alive you stepped into the dad role for him. You’re such a good guy; you would give up everything for him, even be the father you never had and the one Colton never would have been. I get it. I never want you to choose between us. That’s not what I’m asking, but what about this new baby? Will you stay here and be the father to both? What if Krista meets someone else? Gets married? What happens then? What if you want to?”

His feet began to move, pacing over the walkway. “I don’t know.”

“Hunter, I love you.” I twisted my hands, heaviness pushing down on my airways. “I always will. But I’m not staying here. I can’t.”

His feet halted, his gaze swinging to me. “Are we really here again? Are you breaking up with me?”

“No.” I shook my head. “That’s the last thing I want… but tonight I got a call.” I swallowed. “I have an interview with the Smithsonian, and if it goes well, I’ll be moving there right away for at least two years.”

He blinked at me. “Shit. That’s amazing, Jayme.”

“Thank you.” Why did I want to cry instead of celebrate? “We both knew this was coming anyway. If not DC, it was New York in a month.”

He nodded, rubbing his scuff.

“We’ve been through so much together… and we keep ending up here.” My throat wobbled. “What do we do?”

His lashes beat rapidly, his shoulders sagging. “I don’t know.”

My teeth ground, trying to hold back my emotion. We stood for several moments, the silence shredding my heart in pieces.

“Hunter…” I whispered.

He stepped up to me, clutching my face, softly kissing my forehead.

“I am proud of you. Go rock the Smithsonian’s ass,” he said quietly. “We’ll talk when you get back from the interview.”

Through my lashes, I peered up at him. “I don’t want us to end.”

His lids squeezed briefly before his blue eyes met mine. “I don’t either, but you and I both know life doesn’t give a shit about what we want.”