Page 10 of Losing Ansley

Unfortunately, I waited until things were almost irreparable. We've been working over the past two years trying to fix everything. Over the years, Lincoln became the person I leaned on even more so than my brother, but usually, it's because he doesn't give me a choice. Like living with him.

"Lincoln, I don't know why you got this huge truck. We don't need it." He shrugs as he grabs a box and begins walking outside. I follow along with a box of my own.

"It was the only one they had." He says. "And you had more stuff than this when we moved you here." Sighing, I lean against the truck while he loads the boxes.

"Yeah, well, I sold just about everything except my sewing machine and clothes. Thank goodness I know how to make my clothes, or I'd be walking around naked." I joke, and he turns, looking me up and down.

"I wouldn't complain about that." He states, and I gawk at him. My neck heats, but I ignore it.

"You would. No one else would be allowed to look because you'd go crazy." I accuse him. He chuckles as he hops down from the truck, leans back next to me, and crosses his arms over his chest.

"You're probably right." He admits, and I snort, turning to stare at him.

"Of course I'm right," I tell him as I check him out discreetly. He's wearing gray basketball shorts, a tight-fitting black shirt, and white tennis shoes. It's not fair that he looks good in a suit and workout clothes.

I, on the other hand, feel like something the cat dragged in. My red hair is piled on top of my head, and I have cut-off shorts and a tank top on. He takes his index finger and rubs it from my shoulder to my wrist, catching it and pulling me in front of him.

"We have to set some ground rules, Lincoln." He lets me go and crosses his arms over his chest again.

"What kind of ground rules?" He questions. I huff and begin pacing in front of him.

"No more sex." I stop in front of him, put my hands on my hips, and he arches an eyebrow at me. I lift my hands and shrug my shoulders.

"This went from zero to sixty real quick," I declare, and he tilts his head.

"You know that's not true." He lifts his hand like he's going to pull me toward him again, but I dodge him.

"I'm serious, Lincoln." He pulls his hand back and stares at me for several beats of my heart.

"Are you going to date that other guy?" I stare at him in confusion before realizing what he's referring to.

"Maybe. That's my business." He shakes his head and pushes away from the truck, walking back toward the apartment.

"Fine. Maybe I'll download the app too. I need to do some research." Staring at his back as he walks away, I grit my teeth. He's just saying that to piss me off. And it's working. Asshole.

I SENT Amessage to Cole, and now I have a date with him next weekend. Lincoln saw me texting and grabbed my phone, seeing I had a date. He was so pissed. It serves him right for being so nosy.

I stare up at the ceiling in Liv's living room. Liv is in her bedroom, and Caroline is in the guest bedroom. She offered to take the couch, but I insisted it would be okay. Guilt rises within me for not being honest with them about what's going on in my life.

These two are my ride-or-die. They have become my family, and I will do anything for them. Caroline recently started dating the owner of the gym we all go to, which is a big deal for her. She got out of a horrible marriage with a narcissist that emotionally and mentally abused her for years. Bass treats her like a queen, and I'm so happy for her and maybe a little jealous.

I'm pretty sure Liv knows something is going on, but it's not like her to push. But she has her way of letting us know she's there for us. She won't talk about whatever she's been through, so she won't force others to talk, either. Liv has her silent demons. I only know that it has something to do with her stepfather.

Maybe one day she'll want to talk about it, but even if she never does, I'll always be here for her when she feels like she's going to break.

The day I found her in the bathroom at work crying wrecked me. I hate seeing other people hurt because I hurt quietly for so long. I still do, I guess. The only person who knows all the shit I've been through and had to deal with growing up is Lincoln. I roll over onto my side and punch my pillow.

"Ansley?" My head snaps up at Liv's whisper, and I find her silhouette in the dark. Sitting up, I motion for her to sit down.

"Yeah." I reply. She walks over, sits next to me, and pulls her feet under her.

"I wanted to check on you and make sure you're okay." I swallow and glance down at my hands.

"Yeah. I'm fine." I tell her, but even I hear the lie in my voice. It's easier to admit and talk about things when the world is quiet and dark. "I have to move in with Lincoln," I admit, and she gasps.

"What? Why?" She questions and I’m tempted to tell her the truth, but I pride myself on looking put-together on the outside. I don't want people to know I'm falling apart on the inside. My parents taught me well, after all.

"There's been a pest problem, so they're fumigating it. It'll only be for a little while." I lie. She sighs and leans back against the couch.

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