triumph runs through me, but I keep it contained. It does no good to finally win, then lose it all in the one second it would take to get caught. I wait for the door to close behind him before allowing the smile to grow across my face.
Parents and Victoria - one billion.
Sara - one.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The coffee table in the Jericho’s TV room is pushed in front of the entertainment console to make room for our assortment of blankets and pillows. An hour after dinner and we’re already in our pajamas.
Rose brings in two bowls of popcorn. One for me and Arissa, one for her and Andrew. Arissa starts a movie with the remote once everyone is ready.
Near the end, the phone rings and Andrew goes to answer it. He returns less than a minute later with the cordless phone in hand. “Sara, it’s for you.”
No. My parents can’t change their mind in the middle of a sleepover.
I take the phone and leave the room. “Hello?”
“Happy New Year, Parker,” Jason greets.
I hear his smile through the phone. “It’s not New Year’s yet.”
“Just go with it, Parker,” he says.
I sit on one of the living room sofas and cross my legs. “I thought you could take a joke, J.”
“I can, but you rained on my parade.”
“What are you doing calling me here?”
“I can’t call you at home, can I?”
“No.” He can’t, so he calls me the one place he can because he knows I’ll be here. I bury my face in my free hand. “J, what are you doing?”
Dipping his toe out of the friend zone.
“I missed you, Parker.”
My eyes water. “You can’t do this.”
“Don’t friends call friends?”
I play with the hem of my blue pajama pants. “They do, but we’re not just friends. Are we?”
“I want us to be more than friends.”
“It can’t happen.”
“You keep saying that.”
I dry my eyes. “Because it’s true!”
“Don’t you think—”
“No.” I cut him off. I can’t give him hope where there is none. I can’t allow it to take root in my heart either. My parents will crush it with their iron wills and I’ll be left with nothing. Again.
“Are we still friends?” he asks, a hint of somberness in his voice.
“I want us to be. You and Arissa are the only friends I have.”
More silence.
“What aren’t you telling me?” he finally asks.
I’m damaged goods and you’ll never want to have anything to do with me when you find out. “I can’t. My pare—”
“Okay. Say no more.”
“How’s your vacation?” I ask, avoiding more questions.
“Too many people under one roof. I had to walk down the street to call you and get away from everyone.”
“Sounds dreadful.” I smile, even if he can’t see me.
“The worst,” he says, playing along. “How’s your sleepover?”
“We’re watching movies.”
“I’ll let you get back to your movies, then. See you Monday, Parker.”
I return to the TV room, settling into the blankets and pillows on the floor.
“Who was it?” she whispers.
“J.”
She bolts up to a sitting position, crossing her legs and studying me.
“He just called to say Happy New Year, Riss.”
“Yeah, but—”
“Drop it. We can’t be anything but friends. You know that.”
She faces me on her side, tossing her arm over me. “I wish it could be different for you.”
Me too.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Arissa roots around in her brown paper bag, causing it to rustle more than usual. Her eyes gleam at me with her wide, teasing smile.
“Whatcha got, Jericho?” Jason asks, craning his neck. “Ooh!” His eyes shimmer.
She draws her hand out, placing a small, round plastic container without a lid in front of me. “Happy birthday!”
A yellow cupcake with a touch of vanilla frosting rests inside. Arissa pulls out two more containers, one each for her and Jason.
I choke down the tears trying to surface.
March twenty-fifth is always just another day for me. Never a reason for celebration or cupcakes, even if it’s my birthday. I can’t tell them I’ve never had my own birthday cake or celebrated my birthday. Not without telling them everything.
“Sorry we can’t do a candle so you can make a wish and blow it out,” she apologizes.
If only she knew. It’s already a happy birthday. “The cupcake is more than enough, Riss. Thank you.” I remove it from the container and tear the paper liner back. The frosting is thick and sweet, and the cake is light and pillowy with a hint of lemon bursting on my tongue. It’s the best cupcake ever.
Jason drops a thick, heavy present wrapped in green in front of me. I lick the