Page 3 of Let Me Keep You

She moved out of our mother’s house the year I left and visits sparingly. I don’t blame Everleigh for not wanting to live with her, considering I have no intention of seeing our mom at all.

While I was away, she never wrote, called, or reached out to me in any way. She couldn’t care less that I’m home, so I’m not wasting my time.

“You look adorable, Everleigh!” Mimi praises, and I stand in shock.

Everleigh sticks her tongue out at me, then grabs her purse.

Inhaling sharply, I walk toward the door with my keys in hand. “Alright, let’s go then.”

The party is at her friends’ backyards. I bet it takes all of thirty seconds before one of the neighbors calls the cops. When I was in high school, we always brought booze we stole from our parents and snuck it into our red Solo cups. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re doing the same thing.

“Gemma, Katie, Gabe, and Noah are there already,” Everleigh says as we turn onto Main Street. “You’ll be okay if I wander off or do you need supervision?”

“I should be the one supervising you.”

“Puh-leese. I’ve been supervising myself just fine while you were gone.” She flips her hair.

I lift a brow. “Is that so?”

“I’m not pregnant, addicted to drugs or alcohol, and I graduated with good grades. You should be praisin’ me.”

“I’m proud of you for not becoming a statistic.” When she furrows her brows, I add, “You didn’t become an addict like Mom.”

She frowns. “I invited her to come tonight. No surprise she didn’t show up.”

Leaning over, I squeeze her shoulder. “It’s her loss, Everleigh. You know that.”

“You coming is the best gift I could’ve ever gotten anyway.”

Once we arrive and I find a place to park, we walk toward the crowd. Everleigh’s greeted by a bunch of her classmates, then she shrieks when she sees her group of friends. A huge table is set up with snacks and desserts, and of course, several people have red cups.

The moment I see Gemma, I swallow down the lump in my throat and follow my sister toward them. She’s wearing a skirt that’s so tight it’s like a second skin on her petite frame. I was right—the pictures she sent didn’t do her justice. She’s grown into a beautiful woman.

“Guys, you remember my brother. He’s finally home!” Everleigh proudly pulls me closer.

“Hey, man. Lookin’ good.” Noah gives me a fist bump.

“Thanks.”

Gabe gives me a head nod before he whispers in Katie’s ear, and the two of them take off. Noah watches them but tries to play it off like it’s nothing, then brings his attention back to us.

“Noah, can you show me where the drinks are?” Everleigh loops her arm through his. As they walk away, she smirks over her shoulder, leaving Gemma and me alone.

“Congrats,” I tell her as she stands in silence. “Bet you’re glad to be done with school.”

“Thanks.” She smiles. “I am.”

Awkwardness lingers and the last place I want to be right now is at a party where everyone can see us. “Any chance you wanna get the hell outta here?”

Her face lights up. “Definitely yes.”

“Just gonna let my sister know, then we can head out.”

I grab my phone from my pocket and shoot Everleigh a text asking if she can hitch a ride with someone so Gemma and I can talk. She immediately sends a response of random emojis—an eggplant, cherry, and smiley face with its tongue sticking out. I’d scold her if I wasn’t in a hurry to leave.

She follows me, and when the house is out of sight, I grab her hand and loop her fingers through mine. When we get to the car, I pull her in front of me and grip her waist. We’re inches apart as she leans against the door.

“I got your last letter,” I tell her as we lock eyes.