“You weren’t gone long,” Rae comments, laying a bunch of Cade’s dress shirts on the bed.
I shrug. “He says he has it covered, so I’m letting it go and trusting him.”
Rae looks at me in disbelief. “Good for you.”
“Am I really that much of a control freak?”
She laughs. “No, you just hate surprises, which is understandable after everything you went through.”
I sigh. “Yeah, that.”
Having your dad break into your house, which subsequently resulted in your mom shooting him, would make anyone a little crazy.
“I can’t believe we’re graduating tomorrow.” Rae changes the subject. She folds one of Cade’s shirts and clutches it to her chest. “Four years of classes, and tests, and grades, and it’s finally over.”
“It’s surreal,” I agree, picking up one of the shirts and folding it for her. “It feels like we’re finally grown-ups.”
Rae places the shirt in a box. “I’m going to miss living with you and Xander. It’s been nice having you guys around.”
I begin to tear up. “Not as much as I’ll miss you guys. With all the time Xander’s gone it’s been great to not be alone. Now …”
“Aw, Thea.” Rae hugs me. “We’ll always be around if you need us. You know that.”
“I know.” I nod into her shoulder, my fingers clutching her shirt.
I’m so lucky to have a best friend like Rae—and better yet, she’ll soon be my sister-in-law, so she can never get rid of me. We’re bonded for life.
I let her go and wipe my eyes. “Ugh,” I groan. “This move is making me so emotional, I swear. I cried yesterday when Xander packed my shark slippers—like I know I’m going to see them again. I’m a basket case.”
Rae cracks a smile. “I’ve cried a few times too. It feels like the end of an era.”
“Exactly,” I agree, placing the shirt I folded in the box.
“You’ll have fun on vacation, though. You and Xander deserve some alone time. You haven’t had hardly any since you got married.”
I grab another shirt to fold it. “Sometimes I can’t believe I’m married. Like, I married my dream guy—what kind of fantasy world am I living in?”
She laughs. “You guys are perfect together, so don’t be so shocked.”
“Speaking of married … you’re going to let me help plan the wedding, right? Now that we don’t have school, it’s time to crack down on the planning.”
“Sure.” She smiles. “You’re better at that kind of thing than I am.”
I clap my hands together excitedly. “This is going to be fun. Have you set a date yet? I know you guys were talking about something before the end of the year.”
“I’m not really sure yet. Maybe a December wedding.”
“Ooh, that’d be fun.” My mind wanders off, thinking of colors (pink!), cake, and décor.
“Hey, dinner’s ready.” Cade pokes his head into the room.
“You need a haircut,” I tell him.
I’ve been telling him that every day for the last month, and so far, he hasn’t gotten his hair cut. Brothers are jerks.
His light brown hair has grown out to nearly his shoulders, and with his heavy beard, he looks like a fucking lumberjack.