Page 32 of Call You Mine
“Really?” Georgie’s face lights up, her lips turning up in a smile, her eyes shining.
She’s beautiful, just like her sister.
And just like her sister, she deserves to always be wearing that smile.
I look to Ava, finding her eyes wide, and it’s like everything in her has gone still.
It’s not like she was moving much before, but a secondago, it was like she was wound so tight, shaking with how hard she was holding everything in.
I could feel the restless charge coming off of her, like static clinging to her skin. Like the feeling when a storm is brewing, the eerie buzz of what’s about to come.
But that’s all gone.
The air finally settled, like she let go of whatever she was holding on so tightly to.
If I didn’t spend so much of my time thinking of her, watching her in our fleeting nights together, and those moments with our friends where she barely gives me the time of day, I may not have noticed the way her shoulders loosened and her breathing evened out.
And I’d do anything to keep this version of her—soft, steady,present.
But not for me… Forher.
“It might not be what we planned,” I say, the words holding a hidden meaning to the two of us. “But I will do whatever you need to make sure you become your sister’s guardian.”
I still don’t know the whole story—I don’t know why Georgie’s here or what happened to their mom.
I don’t even know if marrying Ava will be enough for CPS.
But I do know that while we may not be telling the truth about this marriage, there’s no lie when I say I’ll do whatever Ava needs me to do.
I’ll take everything she has on her shoulders and put it on mine.
I’ll be the one to carry the load.
I’d carry the whole world if she needed me to, and I’d still make sure I have room to carry her, too.
“Oh my gosh, yay!” Georgie exclaims before turning to Ava. “Do I get to be a bridesmaid? What color dress am I going to wear? Have you told Phoebe and Jasmine you’regetting married?” Georgie asks, one question prompting another as she reels off a dozen more wedding-related questions. She’s buzzing with excitement, but Ava is still stuck looking at me. “Ava?” Georgie finally says after not getting a single answer from her, poking her older sister in the shoulder.
“What?” Ava says, shaking her head as if coming back from wherever her mind just went.
“I said, can I help you pick the cake?” Georgie bounces up and down on her toes, her hands wound tightly in front of her as she waits for Ava to respond.
“Sure,” Ava says noncommittally before putting her hands on Georgie’s shoulders to stop her from bouncing. “But right now, I really need to talk to Anderson. And it’s a school night.”
“But it’s only eight o’clock,” Georgie whines.
“Don’t care,” Ava says. “Shower, pajamas, bed.” She taps Georgie on the nose, her lips curving at the ends. “Now.”
Georgie lets out a groan, heading to the bathroom with heavy stomps. She stops when she’s about to pass me, eyeing me up and down before raising a brow. “So, you’re a firefighter.”
It’s a statement, not a question, but I answer with a “yes” anyway.
“Is it true you guys actually use a pole to get to your fire truck?”
“Georgie,” Ava groans. “Go get ready for bed.”
“What? I can’t ask yourhusbanda question?” Georgie huffs, crossing her arms.
“He’snotmy husband,” Ava shoots back, but fuck, I like that word on her lips.
