Page 82 of Walk With Me
Jenna sighs. “Sorry, E. That was a trash move. I’m really happy for you. I might not have the art gene, but I know how good you are. I was sulking, and that wasn’t cool.”
“Okay, thanks. Do you want to walk with us?”
Shaking her head, she takes her earpods from her pocket. “Nah, I’m going to meet up with Alexis. See you later. Have a good day.”
Taking Sloane’s hand as we walk down the path, I grin at her. “You really are a Jenna whisperer.”
Pulling me close, Sloane slips her hand from mine and snakes it into my jean’s back pocket. Smiling like a fool, I throw my arm around her shoulder.
“I just seem to understand her, I guess.”
“Well, thank you.”
“I’m really looking forward to tonight. Are you sure about it though?”
“Of course I am.”
“But this is like a family tradition.”
“That you should be a part of.”
Is it too much?
“I know what you’re thinking, Eden.”
Kissing her temple, I laugh into her hair. “Of course you do.”
“Then just ask.”
“Is it too much? Too serious?”
The snort is both unexpected and adorable. “You think me spending time with your family could be too serious? Were you there for all the very intimate and serious things we did the other night?”
Heat crawls up my chest. “Hell yeah I was there.”
“Then you know the answer. I just didn’t want you to feel obligated to invite me.”
“Pfft. Now who’s being daft.”
Pulling me to a stop, Sloane tucks both arms under my hoodie and around my waist. “Do you think we should stop being ‘daft’ with each other?”
Bumping her nose with mine, I lean down and murmur against her lips. “Probably.”
I end the conversation with a deep and somewhat inappropriate for the time and place kiss. Best birthday ever.
Remember the viral video of the goat screaming? That’s me right now. I’m making that noise as I try to lower myself to the toilet.
This is all Jenna’s fault. Okay, that’s harsh. She just bought me the game for my birthday. Still, I need to be mad at someone, and she’s the person I’m choosing.
My birthday evening went as planned. Sloane came home with me after school, and we started the art party. Pizza was ordered and consumed. Paint was applied liberally to canvas and nearly every inch of our clothing. It was a blast.
After a long shower and change of clothes, we all chilled out in front of the TV, where I opened my birthday presents. Mum and Dad gave me money. I’d already got a fat check from Grandma and Grandad, so that was that. Sloane bought me a muscle tank with a tiny kitten on it, lifting weights in one paw and wielding a paintbrush in the other. God knows where she got it from, but I love it.
That left Jenna, who bought me a fitness game for the Switch. I was pretty pleased with it, to be honest. I’ve been doing well with my cardio, and don’t totally hate it anymore. I’d mentioned to Jen that I’d like to build a little more muscle. Nothing major, just enough to support my skeletal frame.
We ended up playing it. Sloane did a workout with me. Mum, Dad, and Jenna cheered us on from the sofa. It was funny at the time. Not so much now.
See, the thing is, I’ve probably done three squats in the entirety of my life. Never attempted crunches or pushups. Lifting a cup of tea was about my limit.
