Page 14 of Dare To Take

Eli, you’re going to be hungry when you wake up. I did pop my head around your door earlier but didn’t want to disturb you. I expect this plate to be empty and in the dishwasher when I come in. Make sure you drink something non-alcoholic!

Poppy

I take it out, unwrap it, and place it on the table. Elena moves around the other end of the kitchen, quietly preparing two mugs. It feels weird. Like I’m betraying my mom by allowing this woman to do something she’d always done for me. I push down the instinct to lash out and thank her quietly when she places the mug in front of me. She perches on a chair on the opposite side of the table.

“We didn’t get off to the greatest start,” she says.

I nod.

“I’m sure Arabella has been vocal about what a terrible mother I am.”

I wait for her to defend herself. She surprises me when she doesn’t.

“She isn’t wrong. I was little more than a child when I had her, and I wasn’t prepared to have a baby. I spent a lot of time running from the fact I’m a mom.” She pauses to sip her drink and sighs. “Lucky for her, she never needed me. Sometimes I wonder whether she would have been better off if I never came home.”

I take a bite out of my sandwich, chew, swallow and then look at her. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I think you and Arabella are more alike than you realize. I know you don’t like me but give her a chance.”

I laugh. “You think she wants anything to do with me? That video—”

“I don’t think you did it.”

That silences me.

“I thought you did at first. You’re angry at me for marrying your dad. Maybe you think I’m trying to take your mom’s place. Taking your anger out on Arabella makes sense.” She shakes her head. “But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it’s not what you would do. I don’t think you’d hide, and I think you’d admit to it if you were the one to blame. Especially now, after Elliot’s heart attack.”

She sets her mug down and props her chin on one hand. “I spoke to your dad earlier tonight. We’re going to do everything we can to get you back into Churchill Bradley. Arabella will be going back after Christmas. Hopefully, you’ll be able to return as well.”

Chapter 10

Arabella

Applying the last coat of nail polish to my nails, I sit back to let them dry. ‘Bad Things’ by Summer Kennedy is playing on my phone next to me on the desk.

It’s been a week since Eli and I had our run-in, and I’ve hidden in my room since then. Elliot has been home on bedrest for the last few days, and Elena told me he wants us all to have a family dinner tonight. I’ve been permitted to see him once under my mother’s supervision. She still insists I’ve done nothing wrong, but she makes me feel like I’m a criminal. My anger and guilt have hardened into a shell around my heart. A shield I’m grateful for to hide my pain.

I make sure my nails are dry before I leave the seat and move to my bed. A few unopened parcels and packages are on the floor in the corner of the room—clothes I’d ordered online to go with my mood.

My attention darts to the clock. I’m expected to be downstairs in the next ten minutes. I have no doubt that Elena will come to get me if I don’t turn up. The only reason I’m going to this family dinner is because I don’t want to cause Elliot any more stress.

My phone is on the desk, I press stop on the music and put it in my pocket and pull open my door. I don’t see anyone when I leave my room and walk along the hallway. Elena and Eli are in the dining room when I enter.

My mother glances my way, then does a double take when she sees what I’m wearing.

“Black lipstick?”

“It goes with my nails.” I wiggle my fingers, showing them off.

“And what are you wearing? Is that a spiked dog collar around your neck?”

I look down at the tight black jeans hugging my legs and the long-sleeved t-shirt with rips along the arms. “Clothes.”

Eli snickers.

I shoot a quick look in his direction, but that’s all the acknowledgement I give him.

Elena sighs. “Go and change. This isn’t Halloween.”

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