More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
“Everyone texts everything nowadays, except you.” “I text.” “You text like a serial killer.” “I do not.” “You wished me a happy birthday, and it felt like a threat.”
“You know … this sounds like an awfully big adventure for you.”
An awfully big adventure is what our mom preached to us as kids. No matter what the universe throws our way, everything is just one more exciting event to tackle. As long as we stay true to who we are—continuing to always act kindly, even in the face of unkindness—we’ll be okay. Once my siblings grew older, the phrase turned into more of a joke for when we felt like being asses to each other. But Ma wasn’t wrong. She rarely is.
She’s Peter’s Wendy through and through. I watch her now—for probably too long. Longer than I should because her eyes find mine. Her eyes. Blue, like the color of Never Harbor’s ocean. Vast and unpredictable. Calm but somehow deeper than they seem. Pretty. Yes, Wendy Darling is undeniably pretty.
I’m of the firm belief that collecting books and reading books are separate hobbies anyway.
But sometimes, adults can play pretend too. And I pretend that smile is just for me.
“You said you liked them,” I answer. “I do.” “Then, why wouldn’t I do something simple if you like it?”
“No, it’s important to you. If we can’t love the things significant to us without guilt, then what can we love? Your tattoo is important because you think it is. And that’s all that matters.”
When Wendy kisses, she smiles. Like kissing me could actually make somebody—her—happy.
“God, you’re like my star in the sky, Wendy.” “Your star?” “My North Star. Always showing me the direction I should travel. I’ve never met someone like you before.”
“I’d let you break me, Wendy Bird,” Jasper whispers gruffly. “And I’d thank God every single day for the guilt that followed if it meant I could keep you for myself.”
“You want me? Then, come and get me, Captain.” With those final words, I leap off Deadman’s Drop. And the last thing I see before plunging into the deep is Jasper diving after me.
I’m the Goldilocks of girlfriends, Jas.” “So, what do you want to be?” he asks. “I want to be someone’s world,”
Jasper Davies likes being held more than anyone I’ve ever met. And I really love holding him.
“I need you. Do you know that? I need your little teases. Your pretty smiles. Your stories. I need you.” “Then, take me, Captain.” “If I do, then I’m keeping you. I’m never giving you back.” “Never is a long time.” I sigh. “Not long enough.”
“Being in love,” Peter says, “is an awfully big adventure.” Any bit of tightness I had left completely deflates as Peter bursts into laughter. The tense air around us is squeaked out like a balloon. Slowly. Softly. A little annoyingly. But gone all the same. Lost to our combined laughter, echoing over the rocks and disappearing into the ocean, leaving only us to sit together as equals. As brothers. “Jeez, Pete,” I say, rolling my eyes, still smiling through the dregs of laughter bubbling out of me.
“I came here to give Wendy …” His words fade. “A thimble.” “A thimble?” Bonnie asks, her nose scrunching up. “A thimble?” Milo adds. “A thimble,” I breathe. A hug.
