Despite growing up together, Catherine Simmons and Mattis Reed were never close.
Cat was inseparable from Mattis' younger sister, Chloé, while he was busy running around on the football field.
But when Cat's new dream drags her across the country du...
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My heart stutters with shock, a small yelp escaping me as I blink the group of people in front of me into focus.
Ava is the first to reach me, her tiny body colliding with me as she slings her arms around me.
"Congratulations," she shrieks, clutching me tightly. I hug her back, laughing surprised into her hair, my eyes straying to the rest of the group, people I love smiling back at me.
When Ava moves away, she tugs on the hand of a beautiful girl standing behind her. I recognize her from pictures on Ava's Instagram.
"Luciana, right?" I ask. She's a little taller than Ava, her black hair cut in a short bob, with dark eyes and olive skin.
"Yeah, happy birthday, Cat," she says with a shy smile, extending her hand.
I barely get the time to shake it before the next person engulfs me in a giant hug. Everyone is here; Emmy, Aran, the García twins, Jace, a few people from my classes, and more of Mattis' teammates.
The only person missing is Chloé, but as Mattis puts his arms around me from behind, pulling my back to his chest and kissing my temple, I'm thankful I get to spend this day with one of the Reed siblings.
Once I've greeted everyone, I turn in his grasp, leaning up on my toes to kiss him.
"You are amazing," I mumble against his lips, not caring who's watching.
"Ditto," he answers, framing my face with his hands. "Do you like your surprise?"
There's a teasing glint in his eyes that makes me bristle. I've never liked surprises. I think, in part, it's because I grew up with parents who didn't understand boundaries and never respected them. I never knew what to expect from them, which mood they would be in, which flaw they would pounce on, or if they would even acknowledge my presence. I came to resent the unknown, finding solace in routines and well-rehearsed behavioral patterns.
My birthday was no better. I had to wait with batted breath each year to see if they'd even remember. Commemorate it. And if they did, if I let my guard down and allowed myself to be thrilled by their attention, I'd always be blindsided by some comment or action of theirs. It was especially disorientating when I was a little kid, not yet aware of the world's cruelty. When I got older, I knew what to expect. I made my own plans to celebrate with the Reeds, and Janice made sure to tell me what we were doing beforehand every year. Chloé is the only person I really allow to surprise me anymore because she's repeatedly proved that I can trust her. That my faith will not be broken.
But standing here, staring into the eyes of the man I love, I realize I might not mind Mattis' surprises either.
I purse my lips. "Don't get used to it."
His face breaks into a megawatt smile. "No promises, Kittycat."
We move around the room, chatting with our friends, Mattis attached to my side. Turns out the club is over eighteen, so I really hadn't needed to show my ID, but at least I can buy alcohol legally.
