“Terrifying.” Misty squeezes my hand. “But the one thing I know you’ll always be able to count on is having Mav in your life and us. I know we don’t hang out much aside from random run-ins at parties, but I always got your back. I hope you know that.”
“Thanks.” I smile and take another deep breath. “I don’t know why I’m crying.”
“Oh, honey.” Milly wraps an arm around me and hugs me to her side. “You’ve always been such a good girl.”
“Maybe that’s the problem,” I say with a laugh.
“Hey, it may be. You need to do something rebellious this weekend,” Milly says. “But not too rebellious. I don’t want Ms. Bev and Mike knocking on my door.”
I laugh loudly. “Oh, God. They would.”
“You know they would.” Milly laughs.
“One of my favorite memories is still when I went to New York that summer and your mom had us all over for curry chicken and rice and peas. So good. It became my favorite food, actually.” Misty smiles.
“She’ll be so happy to hear that,” I say. “She always talks about Milly’s mangú. We’ve tried to make it, but it just doesn’t turn out the same.”
“According to Mavy you’ve got it on lock,” Milly says.
“Yeah, well, Mavy would eat a truck and call it gourmet.”
We all laugh. The rest of the trip is spent talking about other things—like Misty’s senior project, which is an article on college athletes, and Milly trying to convince her to go work for their magazine when she graduates. Then, we talk about fashion and scroll social media for clothes. It’s the most relaxing, fun time I’ve had in a long time.
When we get to Charlotte, we get off the highway and go up winding roads lined with beautiful magnolia trees. Every so often, I spot a huge gate that I’m sure leads to a mansion. At the end of the road, we stop in front of one and Roberto lowers his window, types in a code, and the gates open. It’s another long road before we reach the mansion. Once we’re parked, we all get out of the bus. Mitchell and Maverick are bickering back and forth about basketball. Neither of them plays basketball, but I swear they’re obsessed with the NBA nonetheless. Roberto is checking a tire. Misty is on her phone. Milly is going through her purse. I’m just trying hard not to freak the hell out because this is the biggest house I’ve ever seen in my life. The Cruzes are very well off, they have multiple properties in New York, one in LA, one in Miami, a couple in the Dominican Republic. But none of their properties are like this. This is a legitimate estate. The kind of stuff none of the brown people I know would ever have the opportunity to own. Yet, Jagger and Josephine own it. The thought fills me with pride.
“This is insane,” I say when I can pick my jaw up off the floor.
“Ridiculous,” Misty adds. “Wait till you see my sister’s closet. It’s a dream.”
“It’s ridiculous,” Milly says with a smile. “But, hey, good for them.”
“I mean, it’s beautiful, but all I can think about is the upkeep.”
“I wouldn’t be able to do it,” Milly says. “And I live in a penthouse in New York, which is not cheap, but this is another level of responsibility. Jo hasn’t even been able to do anything for herself yet because she’s been so caught up in housework.”
“She likes it though,” Misty responds with a shrug. “My sister’s weird. She’s all about her career, but deep down she wants to be a housewife.”
“You think so?” Milly laughs.
“I mean, she’d never admit it.” Misty smiles as we walk up to the giant doors.
The right side opens fully and Jo and Jagger appear, all smiles, to greet us.
“You made it,” Jo says, and we all exchange hugs and kisses. “Excuse me, Keke, I heard you’re going pro. I’m going to need you to sign something for me before you get all big.”
“It’s a try-out,” I say, then correct myself when I find Misty and Milly shooting me a look, “but yes, I’m going pro and I’m going to play for the United States Women’s National Soccer League and become famous, so I’ll sign something for you now.”
“Daaamn,” Jagger and Mitchell both say, “this calls for a celebration!”
“Come here, little sis.” Jagger throws his arms around me. “I’m proud of you. Do you have an agent? I can hook you up—”
“Jag. I haven’t even given her a tour of the house and you’re already all business?” Jo says, raising her eyebrow. “Chill, dude.”
“Sorry, dude.” Jagger kisses his fiancée on the lips, a loud, long peck that makes me smile.
It’s wild to see them together like this considering I never in a million years saw it coming. I guess now when I look back at the times we all hung out together, I can say I saw some signs of attraction there, but this is next level. They have a house together, they’re getting married soon, and they are obviously super in love. They’re really living the dream. I love it. I’ve tried my best not to look in Maverick’s direction for the last three hours, but as we continue walking into the house, I glance over and catch him looking at me. Butterflies swarm my core immediately. I wish I could push them down and make them go away, but I know it’s unlikely. I spent the entirety of the week trying to stay away from him, but I’m starting to think that no amount of time can pacify these feelings.