Wildest Dreams (Fantasyland, #1)

by Kristen Ashley

Then he blurted, “Mama used to try an’ teach me.” I blinked and asked, “What?” He didn’t repeat himself. Instead he said, “She got real mad when I got things wrong.” I felt the backs of my eyes start stinging and I held his gaze as I felt them get wet but didn’t say anything. “Tried real hard,” he whispered, “to make certain sure I got nothin’ wrong.” I bet he did. I didn’t respond. “Always got somethin’ wrong,” he murmured, his voice aching from old wounds that in no way were healed and I felt them score at my own insides. “This is life,” I whispered as I steadily held his gaze. “Skylar, know that. It is life to get things wrong. It happens all the time to everyone. We make mistakes, all of us. There is no shame in that. None at all. The thing that’s important to understand is, if you make a mistake, you try and learn from it. But honey, you will make mistakes and that’s okay. One thing I can promise and you can take your time to trust me, is that if you do make mistakes with me or with Frey, we won’t get mad like your mama. We might get upset or disappointed, but we won’t get mad at you like her. You don’t have to believe me now, Sky, but I hope, someday, you do.”