Page 159 of Thorn Kiss
“Nope,” Austin said. “I haven’t heard from Dallas today actually.”
The ache deepened. “No worries,” I lied. “I’m sure he’s busy.”
I tried to keep myself from spiraling. I really needed them to be here.
Austin suddenly leaned forward. “Oh god. What is she doing?”
My attention went back to the field and I covered my mouth as a giant projector screen was dragged out into the middle of the field by Levi, Mateo, and two football players. Avery directed them, earning a cackle from Evie and I as we watched.
More nerves fluttered in my stomach. “She wasn’t kidding,” I said.
“About what?”
“This being a whole show.”
Evie smiled. “Nope. She never jokes about it. You should go down there.”
“What?” I gasped. “No. There’s no way.”
“Everyone will want to see you, so it’s either you go down there or else everyone will stare at you in the stands.”
Well, fuck. Okay. I glanced around, still searching for Dallas and June.
“See that set of stairs?” Evie asked, pointing at some down and to the right of the bleachers. “Take those down.”
“If you see Dallas and June, will you please send them over to me?”
Evie nodded. “Of course.”
Oh god. What if they hate it? What if Dallas and June think I’ve lost it? What if all of this was for nothing?
I made my way back down the steps, and then even further down onto the field. Avery spotted me and waved me over.
Nothing I’d ever done was as nerve-wracking as this. I glanced behind me and blanched at the number of people waiting for them to get it set up. My heart raced as I rushed over to Avery, trying not to think about how many folks were in the stands.
“I can’t believe you’re doing this,” I said as I approached. “Are you sure people will even care about the animation?”
Avery cracked a grin. “Of course. They’ll love it. We’re gonna kick the game night off with this, then the marching band will come through, and then the game will start. It’s a whole production, but it’s perfect. Also . . . I watched the animation.”
I swallowed hard. “What did you think?”
Her eyes watered. “I think it’s perfect.”
I wrung my hands together and forced a nod. “Thank you. Have you—have you seen Dallas or June?”
“No. I haven’t. I hope they see this.”
Dammit. I pressed my lips together, looking around again. I just wanted them to be here. I still wanted to try to talk through things again, hoping we could figure out what we wanted.
But more than that, I needed them to see what I made.
I didn't want to leave. I’d found more peace and happiness here than anywhere else in my entire life. Whynot felt like home. I’d made a lot of bad decisions over the years, but coming out to this small town was not one of them.
“All right,” Levi called. “It’s set up.”
Avery hooked her arm in mine and led me back to the sidelines, facing the projector screen.
“Madi.”
