5,331 Miles Read online

  5,331 Miles

  Willow Aster

  To the friendships that stand the test of time and get stronger through every adversity: you are worth it.

  Contents

  1. Present

  2. Past

  3. Present

  4. Present

  5. Past

  6. Present

  7. Past

  8. Past

  9. Present

  10. Past

  11. Present

  12. Present

  13. Past

  14. Present

  15. Past

  16. Past

  17. Present

  18. Past

  19. Present

  20. Present

  21. Past

  22. Present

  23. Past

  24. Past

  25. Present

  26. Past

  27. Present

  28. Present

  29. Past

  30. Present

  31. Past

  32. Past

  33. Present

  34. Past

  35. Present

  36. Past

  37. Present

  38. Present

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by Willow Aster

  5,331 Miles

  Copyright © 2019 by Willow Aster

  ISBN-13: 9781733513708

  All rights reserved.

  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trade-marked status and trademark owners of various products, bands, and/or restaurants referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trade-marks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Created with Vellum

  1

  Present

  End of May 2019

  If you could crawl out of the pages and help me manage not to embarrass myself this weekend, I would greatly appreciate it. I’ve done enough of that for a lifetime.

  My sincerest appreciation, Mira

  I’ve loved Jaxson Marshall most of my life. Before you assume I’m exaggerating, just listen. Our mums are best friends. There are pictures of Jaxson and me in the tub together when we’re like, one and two. The story goes (and goes and goes—I swear it’s been told every time our families are together) that we were happily playing in there until someone pooped in the tub. Okay, it was me. I know, so embarrassing. But it gets worse.

  When I was in year 8 and Jaxson was in year 9, his family moved from England to California. His mum and mine couldn’t stand being apart and we followed six months later.

  We were best friends too, until he moved to the States. That’s when everything got weird. There have been snapshots of “us” over the years, but every time we’ve started to get close again, something happens to ruin it.

  He was my first kiss…I’ll have to get to that later. It’s hard for me to think about it without dying a little more inside. He became the slut of high school, while I was the one hiding behind my glasses, book, and a donut. It was just as pitiful as it sounds.

  After an extremely humiliating experience at prom, in which I came to the conclusion that I will never love, or even like, Jaxson again, I’ve tried to disappear whenever he comes home from school. At first it didn’t work, but I’ve managed not to see him for a few years now.

  But now he’s graduated from Berklee in Boston and is apparently home for good.

  And my mum is forcing me to see him…tonight, at his welcome home party.

  The old me would have hidden and said, “I hate my life!” but the new me is ready to show Jaxson what he’s been missing. Not that I want him or anything. Just…aw, bloody hell, I hate my life.

  * * *

  My mum stands in the doorway, watching me finish my makeup. “You look so pretty, babe.”

  “I’m thinking about changing into jeans…”

  “No! Your dress is perfect for the beach. Please don’t change—your legs go on for miles. Jaxson won’t know what hit him.”

  “I’m not dressing for Jaxson, Mum.” I roll my eyes.

  Okay, maybe I’m kinda dressing for Jaxson. But, not in that way. I just want to look my best. That’s all.

  “I know. Just…don’t forget a light jacket,” she says.

  I grin. She says that every single time I go out the door.

  “You ready? Dave is waiting on us.”

  “Oh, I thought I told you—Chad’s picking me up.” I turn to look at her and see the disappointment on her face.

  Until I am pronounced someone else’s wife, she will be plotting for me to end up with Jaxson. My mum and I used to plot together, and she can’t understand why I ever stopped. I shake my head. I have to stop thinking about all that. Jaxson does not have any control over me anymore.

  “You’re bringing Chad?” Her face scrunches up. “This seems like a—I don’t know—more of a family thing, I guess…”

  “Chad’s my boyfriend, Mum. I wish you’d at least try to like him.”

  “He’s fine, he’s just not…”

  “Don’t say it,” I warn her.

  “I only wish things were different with you and Jaxson,” she says. “It’s such a shame. The two of you were…” Her eyes well up with tears and I panic. If she cries, I’ll cry.

  “Please don’t cry. I just finished. Look,” I point to my eyes, “perfect smokey eye, please don’t let me mess it up.” I pat her on the shoulder and walk to the closet to get a light jacket. I hold it up for her and she smiles. And sniffles.

  I kiss her cheek. “You better go, Dave’s waiting.”

  She sighs. “Okay, but don’t be too late. Anne’s bringing the food out right away. You won’t want to miss the shrimp,” she says on her way out the door.

  * * *

  I used to have an issue with food. As in, I ate it whenever I felt sad, mad, depressed, lonely, or embarrassed. So, in other words, all the time. That pretty much describes my high school experience.

  My dad left not long after we got to California, so with him leaving and the huge culture shock, I was a mess. Thankfully, I had a late growth spurt at sixteen and shot up six inches. At 5’1” there hadn’t been much room for the tons of junk food I ingested. Those extra six inches helped a lot. But it wasn’t until I met my best friend and roomie at UCSD, Maddie, that I started trying to get fit. She’s a yoga instructor and hopelessly optimistic. It’s hard to be sad around her. I’ve forced myself to exercise until I finally like it. I try to go to the healthy stuff when I’m down, instead of Reese’s peanut butter cups or salt & vinegar potato chips. I still indulge plenty, but I’m way more balanced than I used to be.

  When my stomach feels the way it does tonight, though, all nervous and jumpy and nauseated, the last thing I want to think about is shrimp.

  The d
oorbell rings and Chad is smiling when I open the door. He whistles when he sees me, taking my hand and twirling me around to see every angle.

  “You look hot.”

  He’s a man of few words, but he looks so good, it doesn’t matter. I take in his sun-kissed face and biceps and thank God for surfers. He fits the profile perfectly.

  “You do too.” I step outside and walk to his Jeep.

  Is it okay to admit that I really hate his Jeep? It’s falling apart. Everyone and their brother can hear us coming. He keeps it all open, so my hair never stands a chance. I try to hold as much of it down as I can, but my hair is long and thick, so it still flies everywhere.

  “Who’s this party for again?” he yells.

  “Jaxson. We grew up together.” I look out the window and swipe my sweaty palms on the seats. My hands pick up some crumbs, so I spend the rest of the ride trying to get that off.

  I wish I’d gone with my mum and Dave.

  When we finally stop in front of Jaxson’s house, I hop out and stand in front of a tree (that Jaxson and I used to always climb) and try to salvage my hair.

  Chad puts his arm around my waist and nuzzles into my neck. Mmm, never mind, I’m glad I rode with Chad.

  “How long are we staying?” he whispers in my ear and then kisses back down my neck.

  I shiver. “Not long,” I promise.

  “Good.” He pulls me against him and puts his hands on my bum. I’m about to reach back to pull them up before someone sees us, when I hear my name. Or, rather, the name he calls me.

  “Bells?”

  I jump back from Chad and turn around. Jaxson is leaning against the gate, arms folded, and looking me up and down. And back up. And down again. You get the point. It’s a long pause and awkward. I can’t tell if he’s pleased with what he sees or angry with me.

  “Hi,” I say quietly.

  He stands tall. “You gonna feel each other up out here all night or you comin’ to my party, Mirabelle?”

  My heart drops out and I’m pretty sure I go red.

  He walks until he’s standing right in front of me.

  “Well, when you put it that way, we might be out here a while, Jaxson,” I say, standing as tall as I can. I’ve never been so glad to be wearing three-inch heels. It annoys me that I still have to look up a bit.

  At first he just stares at me, jaw ticking. And then he wraps me up in a huge bear hug.

  “I’ve been waiting—I heard you were coming.” He leans back and pushes my hair off one shoulder. “I was afraid you’d talk yourself out of coming in…”

  I forget how well he knows me.

  “You look so beautiful,” he whispers.

  My heart skips a few beats ahead and I step back.

  “This is my boyfriend, Chad.” I move my hands back and forth. “Jaxson, Chad. Chad, Jaxson.”

  Jaxson nods and stretches out his hand. “Hey, man.” They do a guy shake.

  “Hey,” Chad says.

  This might be the first time I’ve wished for Chad to be…talkative. Or something just…more. Jaxson stands an inch or two taller than Chad, but besides their similar height, they couldn’t look more different from each other. Jaxson has curly, dark hair with green eyes and a constant smile. Chad has straight, blond hair with brown eyes and it takes a lot to make him smile.

  Jaxson holds his hand out to me. “You don’t mind if I walk her in, do you, man?” He threads his fingers through mine and I think my ovaries just melted. “I haven’t seen her in so long.”

  Chad shrugs. “Sure.”

  I’m so gonna let him have it later.

  Jaxson holds my hand up to his chest and smiles down at me. “Boyfriend, huh?”

  I glare at him and try to take my hand away, but he grips it tighter.

  “I’ve got you now, Bells, you’re not escaping this time.” He laughs his charming, perfect laugh, and I grit my teeth.

  We walk along the sand to the back of the house, tiki lamps leading the way. We go down a few steps and then reach the gorgeous beachfront. Their backyard has always been my favorite view. The party is underway.

  “Quite the party,” I tell him.

  “You know my mum. She goes all out,” he groans.

  It feels as if everyone sees us at once and freezes. Then my mum and Anne rush toward us, excited, but trying not to act too excited so they don’t jinx it. Anne is just as guilty as my mum in their “Mira & Jaxson forever” fantasies. They’ve plotted our wedding since their pregnancies, when they found out what they were having.

  “Oh, you look gorgeous, Mira. Doesn’t she look absolutely gorgeous, Jaxson?” Anne never takes her eyes off me.

  “Her boyfriend and I have both told her how gorgeous she is, in our own way,” Jaxson says. He then has the nerve to kiss the back of my hand.

  I want to pop the smirk off his face.

  Anne’s smile widens and then drops a little when she sees Chad. She quickly props the smile back on. “Hi, you must be Chad. Vanessa was just telling me all about you.” She looks at my mum and back to Chad. “Why don’t you come with me and I’ll introduce you to everyone?”

  I know what she’s up to and I’m sick of it. I let go of Jaxson’s hand and grab Chad’s arm. “That’s okay, I’ll make sure he gets around.”

  I walk a few feet away with Chad and hear Jaxson behind me.

  “I’m sure he already does,” he mutters.

  I turn around so fast, my hair flies into my eyes. I toss it back and walk toward him, so close that only he can hear.

  “Just because you’ve slept with the entire state of California by now does not mean my boyfriend has. Take your opinions and shove them up your ass.”

  “That’s arse to you, Bells!” He laughs his stupid adorable laugh.

  I walk without even thinking about where I’m going and end up in front of Chad’s Jeep. I don’t hate it so much at the moment.

  “Mira? We’re leaving?” Chad looks confused.

  “Yes, please.” I get in, shut the door, and try to figure out how to avoid seeing Jaxson the rest of the summer.

  2

  Past

  Sept 23, 2008

  Mira, 10

  I think it’s safe to write my wish here. You won’t tell anyone, right? My grandma sent a birthday box and I opened it last night. I’ve been wanting a journal just like this one. Some days I think all my thoughts are going to burst out of my head and I will give away the only secret that my best friend, Jaxson, doesn’t already know.

  I will write it as much as I want in here: I love him. I love him. I love him.

  Like, love him, love him. I love Jaxson.

  My chocolate cake had ten flickering candles. I looked around the table, laughing at all my favorite people singing, “Happy Birthday.”

  Jaxson sang the loudest.

  “Make a wish, Bells!” he yelled. He stood on my left side, ready to help me blow out the candles if I didn’t hurry up already.

  “Done,” I said, blowing all the candles out.

  Wishes. I wished that Jaxson and I would stay best friends forever and that we’d get married and have three babies. Two girls, one boy. And even though I was going over the maximum limit on wishes, I wished he’d kiss me before I turned twelve. That seemed like enough time to get ready. I’d probably need to practice on a pillow or something lots before then.

  Jaxson’s sister, Gemma, hugged me. Sometimes she was too cool for Jaxson and me, but tonight she was being sweet.

  “Hurry, I want you to open our present,” she said.

  “What is it?” I looked at her and then Jaxson.

  He wouldn’t look at me—he knew I’d get it out of him. He was terrible with surprises.

  Gemma snorted. “Oh Jaxson, you’re all mouth and no trousers.” She jabbed me in the arm. “He’s the one who bought your present. You should have heard him goin’ on about it.”

  Jaxson turned bright red. “I know what she likes!”

  I couldn’t wait after all this. “Can I
open it, please?”

  “Jaxson, go get it.” She leaned over and whispered, “He even wrapped it himself.”

  Jaxson’s embarrassment surprised me, but I was too excited to see the gift to worry about it. I stuffed the rest of the cake into my mouth just as Jaxson got back. First he told me to close my eyes and hold out my hand. Little balls dropped into my hand. They smelled so good I knew right away what they were.

  “Maltesers!” I didn’t even open my eyes; I just popped them in my mouth and crunched. My very most favorite candy. He did know what I liked.

  Then he put a box in my hand and told me to open my eyes. I looked at him before I looked at the present. He shifted from foot to foot. Shy.

  “Go on, open it,” he said softly.

  It was a small box wrapped in orange paper, our favorite color.

  “Pretty,” I whispered.

  Inside the box was a silver necklace with a heart.

  “Jaxson, I love it!” I said in shock.

  “It’s from Gemma too,” he said. “But I knew you liked hearts a lot, because you’re always drawing them on everything.” He finally looked at me and smiled.

  “Thank you, Jaxson.” I stood up and gave him a hug, nearly knocking him over. He was used to my powerful hugs and tolerated them.