Chapter 25

Rory was scrollingthrough the final proofs of the yearbook, making sure everything looked good before giving her seal of approval, when the email came in. The notification blinked at the corner of her screen, and she immediately clicked it open.

Tears welled in her eyes as she read.

The front door creaked open downstairs. "Ry, do you want to ride to this thing together?"

A laugh escaped her chest as she wiped away her tears, sitting up from her desk. She tugged on her sweatshirt and raced downstairs, feeling utterly bewildered.

Tyler was standing in the kitchen when she turned the corner. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

She smiled, eyes crazed. "I-I got in."

Tyler beamed at her, and in one swift moment, lifted her in a hug and twirled her around the room. Rory was crying happy tears, her arms wrapped tightly around Tyler's neck.

He set her down gently and cupped her face. "Congratulations. You're amazing."

She scoffed and shoved him. "I don't know about that."

"You are. You are going to kill it at Baybrook. They won't know what's coming."

She grinned at him, still in shock. But as reality set in, her face fell. "But…I won't be able to go. Gabi—"

"Ry, let yourself enjoy this moment, don't worry about it yet," he said, brushing his hands down her arms, then interlacing his hands with hers. "And I have a feeling she'll come around."

She looked down at their hands, her heart aching at the way they fit perfectly. She squeezed her eyes shut and after a deep breath, she let go.

"Haverport is seventeen hundred miles away from North Texas."

"I know."

She felt his hand brush hers again, but she backed away. "Maybe you're right. Maybe…maybe this would just get too complicated. Plus, you're still technically with Zoe and taking her to prom…"

"Rory—"

She cut him off. "Today is not about you or me. It's about Mel. We need to get going." She stepped around him and grabbed her wallet. "And I need to make a pitstop first, if you don't mind."

He nodded, looking broken and defeated. "Yeah, okay."

* * *

She kepther gaze out the passenger window the entire ride to Sandy Cove, her hands gripping the present on her lap, keeping her focus on her friend and pushing Tyler's disappointed look out of her mind.

No one seemed to notice the fact that they arrived together, except Jay. His lips were pressed into a tight line, his eyes downcast as he glared at the two of them approaching the group.

Rory ignored the flip-flopping in her stomach as she glanced around the Scoopers, realizing the most important person was missing. "Where's Mel?"

Calvin pointed to the beach. Rory followed his hand and found Melanie in between two practically identical sandcastles, shaping the tower for one to match the other. When she finished, she sat down, looking satisfied with her creation, then turned her attention toward the ocean before her.

Rory noticed Calvin smiling out of the corner of her eye. He excused himself and stepped down the porch and out to the beach, taking a seat next to her.

The cottage's screen door swung open. "CAKE!" Jess screamed.

"Don't worry, Rory is a good six feet from you," Blake teased.

"That's it," Rory said, planting her hands on her hips as she turned toward Blake. "You're officially the new Ass Hat."

Tyler burst out laughing, which had Rory chuckling as well, relieved at the tension dissipating. He was hiding his disappointment well.

Blake made some kind of snarky comment back to her, but she couldn't comprehend it, her mind way too focused on the way Jay just stood there with his arms tight around his chest. Looking like he was ready to bolt.

Jess went to slice the double layer ice cream cake she made as Melanie's parents came through the front door, followed by Kevin. He sidled up next to Jess and placed a stack of paper plates on the table before looking up at Rory. She didn't mean to frown at him as she pieced together why Kevin was here, but her facial expression must have been telling enough because he winked in her direction.

"Crap, this cake is too cold to cut," Jess said, completely oblivious to how close Kevin was standing next to her. "I'm going to run the knife under some hot water."

Jess escaped into the kitchen, and Rory couldn't help herself—she followed. Jess looked over her shoulder as she approached the sink, her expression unreadable. She flicked on the hot water without saying anything.

"Jess…"

She watched as Jess brushed her blonde bangs out of her face before pressing her glasses up the bridge of her nose and looking in her direction.

"I'm sorry," Rory said softly, stepping closer so no one could hear them through the open windows. "I shouldn't have showed up to your apartment unannounced. You were…clearly in the middle of something."

"You think?"

"I was having an awful day at school. I skipped, actually. It's…a long story."

"Everything okay with you and Gabi?"

She leaned against the counter, ignoring the wave of nausea in her stomach as she thought about the conversation they planned to have later that night. "Not exactly."

Jess lifted her chin toward the crowd outside. "And the boys?"

Rory felt an ache deep in her bones at the thought of it. "Things just keep getting more complicated."

Jess didn't say a word as she rinsed the chef's knife under the steaming water.

Rory took a step closer. "Why did you offer to talk to me?"

Jess shrugged. "Kind of wish someone was around to talk to me when I was going through shit in high school."

She nodded, watching as Jess turned the spigot off. Rory knew she shouldn't try to get involved in Jess's personal life—she'd already made that mistake. But for some reason, this time felt different. Jess didn't seem happy per se, yet there was something new there. There was less fury behind those glasses, her shoulders were relaxed, and a new sense of calm washed over her face. Something had definitely changed…and Rory wondered if the boy winking on the porch had anything to do with it.

Rory steeled herself and decided to make the mistake again. "Is everything okay with you? At home?"

To her surprise, Jess didn't glare or make a snappy comment. Instead, she shrugged. "Same as you. Things just keep getting more complicated."

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Do yourself a favor, Rory," Jess said. "Don't fall in love in high school. Nothing good comes from it."

Then Jess was out the door, slicing smoothly into the cake outside.

She huffed, her eyes grazing over the group and landing on Ty. He was smiling warmly at Melanie as she approached the porch, Calvin hot on her heels. Her heart somersaulted as she watched Tyler pull Melanie into a fierce hug, saying something soothing to their friend that had Melanie nodding, her eyes watering.

Rory exhaled at the sight, feeling like she was gripping a handful of sand, grains slowly slipping through her fingers. Too late.

She was in love with the boy next door.

The one who sat with her on the swings for hours, played touch football in the backyard, hung out in pajamas on weekends to watch countless hours of Disney movies, made her laugh so hard hot chocolate came out her nose. The guy who saved her from making mistakes, made sure she drank water when she had too much to drink, forced her to spend holidays with his family when she was alone, and kissed her in a way that left her without any feeling in her legs.

Rory was in love with Tyler Chapman. And he was about to leave her behind.

Her hands were shaking as she turned away from the group and leaned against the counter. She took deep, calming breaths. These feelings she had for Tyler had gone far beyond any kind of crush she'd had, even for Jay. They were earth-shattering, and when Ty finally left for college, she would have to glue together the shattered pieces of her heart. She wasn't strong enough for that. She had to create distance…had to hope it would make things easier in the end.

Her acceptance to Baybrook eased some of her worries—it was the perfect escape, the next step toward a new Rory. She wanted to spend her days sculpting abstract pieces and perusing student art galleries and deepening her knowledge of graphic design. Despite having no idea how in the world she was going to afford art school, the simple thought of attending made her feel that same kind of contentment. That she'd finally found where she was meant to be.

She'd spent her whole life seeking attention, and she knew her shithead father was in part to blame. The man who—in the end—didn't choose her when she'd stood before him in the flesh.

It was right then and there that she vowed to move forward, to choose herself. Her mother might hate her and kick her out. She may go into debt trying to pay for school. And there was a chance she'd lose Ty forever.

But she would stick up for herself and what she wanted. She'd finally take this new path forming right in front of her like a block of clay, ready to come to life.

* * *

The warm breezethat night was a late-April tease, a small promise that the summer season was around the corner. The group sprawled out on the porch, full from the cake they'd devoured, watching as the last sliver of sunshine faded into the horizon.

A black convertible pulled up and parked on the side of the street. Zach stepped out, moving his sunglasses to the top of his head as he walked toward the group. Blake yelped with glee and jumped up from his seat, hopping down the steps and planting a kiss on Zach's lips.

Jess hummed. "Must be nice."

Rory didn't miss how Kevin bristled.

"You could just break up with him," Calvin said calmly. He was tangled up on the porch swing with the birthday girl, the two of them tucked under a blanket. Despite there being enough places to sit, Rory made a point to sit closer to Melanie. She pulled a cushion off one of the deck chairs and used it to sit on the floor next to the swing, keeping a safe distance from Tyler who sat at the opposite end of the porch, and Jay, who was propped up on the wooden railing. Jay leaned his head back against the cedar shingles, his hat on his knee, scrolling through his phone. She'd done her best to avoid them all day, focusing on Melanie instead of the revelation she'd had in the kitchen hours before.

Jess's phone began to ring. "Speak of the devil," she grumbled.

Jess answered with a muffled "What" to her boyfriend on the other line, escaping into the cottage.

Kevin cocked his head in the direction of the house, and Calvin nodded, kissing the back of Melanie's head as he slid out of the blanket and off the swing.

Rory didn't waste time—she swept right into Calvin's spot, curling up with Melanie under the blanket. "I got you something."

Melanie frowned. "I told you not to."

"Do I look like the type of person who actually listens to the rules?" Rory teased. She lifted her present and placed it in Melanie's lap.

Melanie rolled her eyes, untying the ribbon. "That's fair."

Rory watched as her friend opened up the box, revealing two matching coffee tumblers, both from Seabreeze Café.

"I could have made friendship necklaces or bracelets or something," she said. "But lattes have kind of always been our thing, and since we'll both be living in town and going to school next year…"

Melanie grabbed her hands. "You got in."

Rory grinned, nodding her head. Melanie shrieked, throwing her arms around Rory's shoulders.

"Wait, where did you get in?"

Rory pulled herself from Melanie's grasp, turning to Jay. He was finally looking at her, his curiosity taking over that simmering rage for just a moment.

She gave him a timid smile. "Baybrook."

Zach whistled as he stretched out, leaning his head back on Blake's lap. "Damn, that school is not easy to get into. You must be mega talented."

She felt her face flush. "I-I don't know about that. They're just trying to fill this new program."

"Don't belittle yourself," Tyler said pointedly. "The dean literally sought you out."

Jay's eyes went wide. "Shit, he did?"

Rory nodded, feeling embarrassed that all the attention was on her. "Yes, now let's be done talking about this."

"I mean, I'm not surprised," Jay continued. "Those yearbook designs I saw were pretty dope."

Tyler's eyebrows knitted together as he whipped his head in Jay's direction. "You've seen them?"

Jay gave him a cat-like smile, leaning back with smug satisfaction. "And you haven't? Fascinating."

"Stop," Rory snipped.

Calvin chose that moment to step back out, frowning at Rory. "You're in my seat."

"Actually, I think you were always in my seat," she said with a smirk, glad to have someone to distract her from the icy tension.

"Calvin, look, Rory and I have matching mugs," Mel said, holding them up with pride.

"For lattes only," she added. "No herbal tea shit in there."

Calvin shook his head, plopping down on Rory's cushion with a thud. "You're both ridiculous."

"I'm thinking we should get stickers and decorate them," Mel said. "Ooo, do you think Baybrook has a sticker I can put on mine so I can shamelessly show off my talented best friend?"

"They probably tell the artists to make it themselves," Rory answered, thinking about the colorful notebook Dean Farrow showed her weeks earlier. She wondered what other creative projects her classmates would be working on. Her hands were thrumming with anticipation, ready to get started on something herself.

"Even better, you'll make stickers for me," Mel said, leaning into Rory's shoulder. "What should they be?"

"CAKE!" Blake screamed, making everyone laugh. Jay included.

"How about Mrs. Ass Hat?" Rory teased, nudging her side.

"I thought I was the new Ass Hat?" Blake quipped.

Zach smirked. "Would probably make for a good hat. His ass is cute."

Everyone howled at that, Blake covering his pink cheeks.

"How about one that says They're Not Sprinkles, They're Jimmies," Tyler added.

"That's actually brilliant," Calvin replied.

"What about The War Room?" Blake added.

"Or Warning: Milkshakes May Explode," Jay teased, winking at Melanie.

Melanie gave him the finger in response. "That only happened to me once."

"Be careful," Rory added. "You'll be saying that forever."

"Rory, dropping an entire cake is different than one milkshake explosion on the wall," Blake said.

"I DIDN'T DROP IT! SHE BUMPED INTO ME!"

They all were laughing now, fighting back and forth. And yet, she secretly loved it. Loved having her family together, no matter how sticky it got.

"How about The Scoopers," she said.

Melanie smiled, wiggling in her seat. "I love it."

"We could sell them at the shop," Calvin said, his brain in business mode.

"Is this our life now?" Jay asked. "Hey, army boy, not everything is about making money."

"Says the guy who's saving up to move to Japan," Calvin responded with a flick of his hand.

Rory whipped her head toward Jay as the group went still. Jay remained silent, glaring down at Calvin.

"That's it," Blake said, hopping up. "New rule: No more secrets. My heart can't take it anymore. Why am I always the last to know everything?"

"You weren't the last to know," Jay said coolly. "Because no one knew."

The group stayed silent as Jay hopped off the railing, making his way to the porch swing. He grabbed Melanie's hands, kissing her knuckles. "Sweet Mel, happy birthday."

She nodded, and then the Scoopers watched as Jay got in his car, escaping into the night.

Melanie looked over at Calvin. "Babe, really?"

"Did you know?" Rory whispered, tears pricking her eyes.

"No," Melanie responded. "But I did know they had a meeting recently."

"About what?"

"Jay told me that he wouldn't be around next summer," Calvin said. "Wanted to give me enough warning to hire and train someone new."

"Because he's moving to Japan?"

"He wants to transfer to a school out there," he explained. "Says there's a program he's interested in."

"What program?"

Calvin just shook his head. "I've said enough. I think at this point you need to talk to him."

Rory huffed, looking out at the ocean past the porch, the waves covered in darkness.

She felt a warm hand on her shoulder. "Ry, want me to take you home?"

Underneath the blanket, Rory squeezed Melanie's knee. Melanie placed her hand on top of her own, squeezing back. A silent agreement.

"No, I think I'm going to stay a little longer," she murmured. She couldn't deal with being alone with Tyler right now, and she wasn't quite ready for whatever big conversation Gabi wanted to have back at home.

Tyler hesitated as he hovered over her, but Rory didn't waver on her decision, so he bid his farewells. Blake and Zach were next, walking hand in hand as they made their way to his convertible.

"You really know how to kill the vibe, Ball," Melanie murmured.

The sound of raised voices had Calvin excusing himself and heading back inside.

"Want me to beat him up for you?" Rory said.

Melanie chuckled, turning to face her. "No, it's fine. He's not the best when it comes to Jay. He's working on it."

"Why?"

Melanie's face softened. "Why do you think?"

She frowned. "Me?"

Melanie just nodded.

Rory groaned, placing her face in her hands. "I bet he's excited for the day I leave. I cause so much drama."

"Maybe you shouldn't be so hot and awesome," Melanie teased. "The boys can't help but drool over you."

"If that were the case, where are all the boys asking me to prom? I mean, not like I'm going anymore, but—"

"I hate that you're not going. I don't really want to go either."

Rory blinked. "Then don't. Join me and Vanessa. We'll have empanadas."

"But I already have tickets…"

"So? Why waste your time going if you're already dreading it?"

Melanie chewed on her lip. "Yeah?"

"Yes!" Rory said, her spirits lifting. "We could pick up lattes in our new mugs to start the night. And maybe even get an entire blueberry coffee cake, Vanessa has quite the hook-up."

Melanie grinned. "You had me at lattes."

She squealed, the two of them swinging on the porch, gabbing about their anti-prom plans as Rory squeezed out every last moment she could from the evening, just in case everything came crashing down when she got home.