Page 65 of Dare To Take

“It’s no surprise the pair of you found each other really. You’re both fucking useless parents.” I shove to my feet. “I’m not hungry. I think I’ll go to bed.”

“Sit down!” Dad snaps, but Elena touches his wrist.

“No. Elliot, let him go. He’s right. We’ve both messed up so much. We need to listen to what they want and learn from that.”

I throw my head back and laugh, the sound bouncing off the walls. “Listen to yourself. It’s too fucking late, don’t you get that? Arabella needed a mother when she was fucking growing up, but you were too busy running after rich guys in the hopes they’d put a ring on your finger and make your life easy.” My gaze touches my dad and back to her. “Guess you found one in the end.”

“That’s not what happened.”

“Of course, it’s not. Most people meet, fall in love, and get married within a week, all the fucking time.” I stalk toward the door.

“I signed the post-nup you wanted, just before Christmas.”

Her words stop me, but I don’t turn back.

“I know you don’t believe me, Eli. I know you think I married your dad for his money. Maybe you were right at first. Maybe I loved what he had more than who he was. But did you ever consider that your dad didn’t marry me out of love either? Maybe he just needed someone in his life, someone to hold him at night.”

“I don’t want to know about what happens in your bedroom, thanks.”

“You know that’s not the point I’m making. Have you ever considered the fact that just maybe your dad was lonely?”

I hate that her words make sense. Hate that I’ve been so angry, so blinded by the fact I was convinced it was about his money, that I haven’t considered what his life has been like since Mom died.

But I was fourteen years old. I shouldn’t have had to take control of everything when I was mourning the loss of a parent.

I walk out without replying.

Chapter 42

Arabella

“Bella.”

I’m halfway across campus on my way to breakfast when I hear my name being called. I turn to find Miles coming toward me, with Lacy, Brad, and the others behind him. Jace is glaring at me, one arm in a white cast.

Kellan told me that Eli beat him up at Thanksgiving.

My stomach drops at the sight of them. Yesterday I managed to get out of seeing anyone. Instead of going to the cafeteria, I ate the sandwiches that I had packed from home and stayed in my room.

Miles’ green eyes are pinned to my face. “I want to talk to you.”

“No thanks.” I keep on walking, aware of our audience hanging back.

He grabs my arm, and pulls me across the grass, to put distance between us and the others. “Hi.” The softness of his voice is the opposite of how he’s acting.

This is not how I expected to see him. I yank my arm free, and cross my arms. “What do you want, Miles?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t get to slip away and see you last night.”

I shrug. “I wasn’t expecting to see you at all.”

“I told you we’re still friends.”

“Friends don’t sneak around. Friends don’t lie. Friends don’t pretend to hate each other.”

Guilt ripples over his expression. “Please try and understand.”

The anger that never leaves me simmers, just beneath the surface, with all my resentment and bitterness. “You don’t want to be seen with Churchill Bradley’s Academy Whore.”

---