Page 42 of That Last Secret

He can’t wait to show you the additions to his dinosaur collection.

Avery

Is this girls only? Or is my fake fiancé coming too?

Peyton

Oh stop it. You know he’s coming. Everyone will be here.

Everyone?

Avery

Don’t worry, Em. We will tell Logan to leave the handcuffs at home.

That’s not what…

Avery

You were thinking? Sureeeeee.

Peyton

Leave her alone, Ave. There’s nothing going on there.

What she said.

Avery

I’ll believe it when I see it.

Are you making your famous macaroni salad?

Avery

You’re the best at deflection.

Peyton

Yes, Em. Ignore her.

July

One thingI’ve learned to never take for granted is a break from school.

I’m not talking about the time off I had for spring break, where I still ended up studying. This is one where I’m forced to do nothing because the previous content is behind us, and we have no idea what’s coming next because we don’t get the syllabus until the first day of school.

Yesterday, I borrowed Oliver’s truck and took a trip to the beach with Brooke. We laughed all day, soaked up the sun, and drank frozen margaritas until we crashed at Tommy’s beach house for the night.

It was the first day neither of us had other priorities, like school work or a job, but to relax.

We needed it more than we thought we did.

After dropping Brooke off in the city, I headed straight for Tommy’s house for a Fourth of July barbecue Peyton’s putting together.

I hate that I don’t get out here as much as I can anymore. Earlier this year, the two of them and my nephew James moved out of the penthouse and into this beautiful home in the suburbs. They now have a massive property with a white picket fence, something I never saw my brother having, but Peyton changed him.

I spent the ride giddy with excitement about seeing my nephew. Before starting my degree, I was the one who would always watch James while my brother worked. I hated giving that up and missing all that time with him, but on the other hand, Thomas would have never met Peyton.