CHAPTER FORTY - FIVE

NICK WALKER ©

The feeling was new to me.

All of it was.

I'd never liked someone so much that I wanted them all to myself.

I didn't know the first thing about love. I'd never been in a relationship before.

But one thing I knew for sure was that I'd give it everything I had.

I never thought I could feel this happy.

And if being with Enzo was truly what I wanted, then I was going to go for it.

“Why do you look so happy this morning?” Avery asked, making me look up at her.

We were getting ready for the outing she had forced me to go for.

“Do I?” I asked.

She gave me a teasing smile.

I cleared my throat and looked away.

The last thing I needed was for her to guess I'd been thinking about Lorenzo again.

“You're happy because we're finally going out today, aren't you?” Avery asked.

I turned to look at her.

“Out of all the things to be happy about,” Mira muttered under her breath.

Unfortunately, we both heard her.

“Yes, yes. Of course,” I said, nodding with a nervous laugh.

Phew.

That was close.

I still hadn't told Avery about everything that had happened between Enzo and me.

The truth was, I didn't even know how to tell her.

It didn't really matter, did it?

“What happened to your hand?” Avery asked.

I looked down at the injured hand from last night.

“I got cut by a piece of broken glass,” I replied. “That's all.”

“Be careful next time,” she said and I nodded.

“Can we go now? I really want my ice cream,” Mira said, and I chuckled.

“Of course. I just need to check my makeup,” Avery said as she looked at herself in the mirror.

“Ugh. We're just going out, not on a date, Avery,” Mira complained.

I sighed.

Their usual bickering was about to start again.

“I have to look pretty. What if I run into someone handsome... like Grayson?” Avery said, and my eyes narrowed at her right away.

She looked at me and let out a nervous laugh.

“Wrong choice of words,” she said quickly. “I don't think Grayson can be mine anymore.”

I started fiddling with my fingers.

“What does that mean?” Mira asked, looking at Avery before turning to me.

Mira and I looked at each other in silence before I finally raised an eyebrow.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing,” she replied quickly, looking away.

That was strange.

“Can we leave now?” I asked as I stood up.

“Why would you even think you'd run into Grayson at an amusement park?” Mira asked and I let out a sigh.

“Can we stop talking about Grayson and just leave already?” I said.

“Okay, okay,” Avery replied, picking up her bag.

★ AN HOUR LATER ★

We arrived at the park after listening to Avery and Mira bicker the whole way. Those two never seemed to get tired of arguing.

“Do you want to try this one?” Avery asked, pointing at the ring toss game.

“What? Hell no,” Mira replied.

My head snapped at her immediately.

“Language, Mira,” I said, and she let out a sigh.

“What about the kiddie train?” Avery asked.

“I'm not a kid,” she replied.

I couldn't help but scoff.

“Neither are you a teenager. You're nine. You're still a kid,” Avery said.

Mira gasped dramatically.

“Why don't we all ride the roller coaster?” I suggested.

Mira immediately gave me a thumbs-up.

“I'll go pay for the tickets,” I said, but Avery stopped me.

“I'll pay. You should get ice cream for everyone before someone starts complaining again,” she said, clearly talking about Mira.

“Exactly! That's the whole point of this outing,” Mira said with a grin as Avery walked toward the ticket counter for the thrill rides.

“Come on, let's go,” I said to Mira as we headed to get some ice cream.

“Nick,” Mira called.

“Hm?” I replied, still walking without looking at her.

“Do you like Uncle Enzo?”

I stopped in my tracks and looked down at her in surprise.

“What?”

“Did Avery tell you that?” I asked.

Mira blinked at me.

“Wait… Avery knew you liked Grayson?”

I just stared at her, completely confused.

“Who told you I liked Grayson?” I asked.

She paused for a moment, thinking.

“Why do you still keep his coat?” she asked. “And why do you always react whenever someone says his name?”

I ran a hand through my hair.

I didn't know my little sister noticed things that well.

“Why... why don't we get our ice cream before Avery comes back?” I said, quickly changing the subject as I started walking.

Mira happily followed beside me.

I paid for the ice cream with a nervous smile, but her question kept replaying in my head.

I let out a quiet sigh while Mira stood beside me, giggling as she happily licked her ice cream.

She didn't even look bothered by what she'd just asked me.

“Grayson and I are just friends, alright?” I told Mira as we walked back.

“Doesn't look like it,” she muttered, and I sighed.

“What were you two doing? I was waiting,” she said as she quickly took an ice cream from my hand before we all headed to the roller coaster.

When it was our turn, we showed our tickets, and took our seats, with Mira sitting in the middle.

A few minutes later, the ride started. The wind rushed past us as loud screams filled the air.

Mira and Avery wouldn't stop screaming beside me.

“Nick!” Avery shouted over the noise.

“What?” I shouted back.

“I know you like him, and that's okay! I'm happy you found solace in him!” Avery yelled, and I gasped.

What the hell?

She really chose to yell that on a roller coaster, right after Mira's question?

I was so done with both of them.

“He likes you too, okay?” she screamed.

My heart skipped a beat as I heard those words, while the rush of wind crashed against my face.