Forever (Cruiser & Lex, Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

but him. But I realize now how unhealthy I’ve been acting. I can’t sacrifice the important things in my life. Cruiser is the most important part of it, but I have a lot of other important parts, too. Like dance and my family and friends.
    “I won’t miss any more practice,” I tell Coach Lewis.
    She nods. “See you at lunch break. And after school.”
    I nod. I hate that I’m breaking my promise to Cruiser, but I know he wouldn’t want me to miss any more practice. The meet is only a few days away, and I’m nowhere ready. Since I can’t text Cruiser, I text Rey, asking him to tell his brother when he visits him that I’ll stop by after practice.
    As I head to my locker, I catch sight of Dani walking by. When she sees me, she rushes over. “How’s Cruiser doing?”
    “He’s great.”
    She sighs in relief. “I’m glad to hear that. Do you think he’s up for visitors? Simon wants to visit, too.”
    I really want to have Cruiser all to myself for a little bit. There’s so much we need to talk about. I have so many things to say to him. But I don’t want to be selfish. There’s time to talk about stuff later.
    “Let’s all go to the hospital after school,” I say.
    “I’ll text Simon.”
    ***
    I ask Dani to drop me off at my house before we head to the hospital. I need to pick up something very important. As soon as I walk into the living room, I come face to face with Rosie and Jamie sitting on the couch.
    “Jamie!” I rush over to give him a hug. “Hi. How are you?”
    “I’m good.”
    Rosie rolls her eyes. “He won’t admit he’s nervous.”
    “I don’t blame you for being nervous. What you’re going through is very tough. You’re a brave little man.”
    He ducks his head, his cheeks pink. “I wanted to spend my last day with Rosie.”
    That’s so cute.
    Even though Rosie is mega upset that she can’t undergo the procedure, I’m glad to see she’s having a good time with Jamie. It looks like they’re playing that board game Rosie loves.
    I rub his head. “Good luck, Jamie. I wish you all the best. And keep us posted.”
    He nods. “Thanks.”
    “Are you going to see Cruiser?” Rosie asks me.
    “Yeah. You guys want to come?”
    She looks at Jamie. “Um,” he says. “My mom’s gonna pick me up soon. We still have to pack and stuff…”
    “Oh.”
    Now I rub Rosie’s head. “You’ll visit Cruiser tonight, okay?”
    She nods.
    I go up to my room and open the bottom drawer of my dresser. I reach for the old jewelry box, where I keep the jewelry I don’t wear anymore, and open it. The necklace and matching bracelet gleam in the sunlight. I reach for the necklace and hold it on my palm, studying it. It’s a pendant of intertwined hearts, the letters “C + L” engraved on the back. Cruiser gave it to me on our first official date, and he gave me the bracelet at our one-month anniversary. When I thought he cheated on me, I was so upset that I ripped it and the bracelet off and threw them in the trash. Luckily, I managed to fish them out the next morning before they were gone forever. Despite how upset and hurt I was, I knew I couldn’t throw them away. That’s why I stashed them with my old jewelry.
    Now that Cruiser and I are…whatever we are—or are going to be—I put them on. At once, a warm feeling passes through my body. The jewelry…it means something for both Cruiser and me. It’s a symbol of our love for one another, a symbol of everything we’ve been through and what’s to come. Tears of regret enter my eyes at the thought that I actually threw them out. I overreacted once again. I really need to stop doing that if I want to have a future with Cruiser. And I do , really badly.
    Someone honks their horn. Dani must be growing inpatient. She and Simon have a date planned tonight. They want to visit Cruiser before getting ready for their special night.
    I pass the door to my room, then look down at my outfit. I’m wearing my Sharkettes uniform because my gym