Free Live Through This by Mindi Scott Page B

turns to Bryan, who’s on a barstool. “I guess you and your sister are stuck with me then. Should we do Blackcomb today?”
    “Sure,” Bryan says, looking my way. “Sound good?”
    “It does ,” I say. “But the thing is, Reece is kind of a newbie, so I don’t know if he can keep up with you guys. I think Ishould try a few runs with him and if it goes well, we can meet up. Okay?”
    I brace myself while Mom frowns at Tony, but to my relief, neither of them argue. Bryan gives me a sidelong thanks-a-lot grimace and I mouth, “Sorry.”
    I am sorry to leave him with Tony, but my excitement over spending part of the day alone with Reece far outweighs it.
    •    •    •
    In front of the bathroom mirror, I put a fastener on the end of my braid and Bryan brushes his teeth. Reece has been on the road for hours so he should be here soon. Any minute. Any second.
    “Cuh uh it ow?” Bryan asks.
    “Huh?”
    He points at his mouth.
    Oh. Can I spit now?
    I step aside so he can get closer to the sink.
    Peering into my makeup bag, I debate what to use. I want to look put together, but also like I’m kicking back for vacation and not trying to look good. A little color on my cheeks is always nice, but if we go in the hot tub tonight, I’ll probably regret eye makeup. So blush and lip gloss—
    “Hey,” Emma says, standing in the doorway. “Do either of you have extra energy bars? Jacob took the last one, and allthat’s left in the cupboard is that gross goo stuff that makes me want to gag.”
    Bryan unscrews the top of his miniature mouthwash. “I don’t have any.”
    I’m about to give the same answer, but then I remember my Christmas present from Reece. “There’s a box of granola bars in my backpack if you want one of those.”
    “Yay! Thanks!” She rushes away.
    My thoughts swirl as I pat a little concealer underneath my eyes. What will it to be like when Reece gets here? Is it going to be weird to have him around my family? Will everyone be nice to him and manage to not do anything too embarrassing? Is he still going to like me? Is he going to kiss me—
    “Wow,” Bryan says. “You’re like a million miles away.”
    I meet his gaze in the mirror. “Huh?”
    “Exactly.”
    “Were you talking to me? What did you say?”
    He gives my shoulder a squeeze. “Nothing important.”
    As he walks away, Emma comes back. “Why was this in with your granola bars?” she asks, handing me a small, black velvet case.
    I stare at it. “I’ve never seen that before in my life.”
    Holding my breath, I pop the case open. Inside, hanging from a delicate silver chain, is an inch-long pendant—a giraffependant. I run my finger from its tiny pointy ears to its long neck to its textured spots. It’s so cute and detailed and perfect. The perfect present for Reece to hide in a box of snacks.
    And it hits me: The night that I gave him a stuffed giraffe, he gave me a giraffe necklace. It means something. It means everything .
    “How do you think it got in there?” Emma asks.
    I clasp the necklace behind my hair. “I’ll give you a clue. Reece gave me those granola bars for Christmas.”
    “Ohh. And he put the real present inside. I told you he wanted to be your boyfriend.”
    “And you just know everything, don’t you?” I say, grabbing my blush brush and dabbing the tip of her nose with it.
    The doorbell rings.
    Reece is here. He’s here, he’s here, he’s here!
    I haven’t finished with my makeup, but I don’t care. I toss the brush down and race for the stairs with Emma following.
    Above in the foyer, Jacob says, “License and registration.”
    “Registration’s out in the truck,” Reece says. “I’ve got my license, though.”
    Jacob says, “Hand it over.”
    I reach the top of the staircase in time for Reece to pull his ID from his wallet and give it to my annoying little brother.Sterling the Giraffe’s head is poking out from the duffle bag hanging over Reece’s shoulder. My heart gallops