Page 3 of Broken Bonds

“Is this still about the accident?” His eyes softened.

“I wouldn’t try to run someone over because of the accident,” I spat at him, bristling at what he had implied. “I didn’t see him. I didn’t look for him, okay? I’ll be in my room if you need me.” Ipushed past him, left the kitchen, and headed up the staircase to my safe place.

Later that night, when I was called down for dinner, I saw that Mr. Asshole still had not left. Instead, he was sitting at the dining room table, talking to my dad and Ryan about his Ducati. Ryan’s eyes met mine, as did my father’s, but they both looked away quickly.

“Hey, Dad. How was work?” I asked as I took a seat at the table.

“Uneventful. What time will you be in tomorrow?” Ryan and Mr. Asshole had gone to the kitchen to help my mom bring the food to the table, giving me a moment to connect with my dad.

“I start class tomorrow,” I reminded him. “I can come in the afternoon.” He always had so much to do and remember. I didn’t blame him for not remembering when I started classes. That was always more Mom’s thing. She kept him straight and organized.

“Sounds good. I have a few things I need you to do.” My mom walked in then, talking away to Mr. Asshole like he was her new son. I had to consciously stop myself from rolling my eyes. I hated how well the jerk seemed to be fitting in with my family.

She stopped talking to the boys and smiled at me. I was instantly filled with warmth. There was nothing else in this world like a mother’s love. “Hi, honey. How was the beach? Did Emily meet you?”

“It was fun, but it started to rain this afternoon, so we left early. Her parents are out of town again, so she didn’t want to be home alone.” Mom sat next to me and my father, while Ryan sat next to my dad, and Mr. Asshole took the seat right across from me. I clenched my jaw in annoyance.

“The food looks great, Mrs. Wilson.” His southern drawl made the common words sound better than they should, and my mother flushed.

“Please, Ace, call me Kendall.”

I broke the silence that followed with a more pressing matter. “Any news on the storm?” Florida was preparing for a hurricane—not an unusual occurrence—but hurricanes always made me nervous. They changed their track and power so much before it hit land.

“It’s developed into a category two hurricane. Should be hitting the Bahamas in a few days. We need to start preparing,” my dad announced, looking at me and then Ryan. “Between the two of you, make sure the outdoor furniture is in the garage by tomorrow night.”

We shared a look of annoyance before nodding. We hated hurricane prep.

After dinner, Ryan got Ace to help us move the patio furniture to the garage. When we were finished, it was dark out, and I was covered in mosquito bites. I hated bugs with a passion, and mosquitos were at the top of my bugs-I-really-hate list.

“It looks like you got chicken pox!” Ace laughed, pointing at my welt-covered arms.

I glared at him. “Quite the doctor, aren’t you?” I rolled my eyes, scratching my arms.

“Hey, man, it’s getting late. I’ll see you on campus tomorrow?” Ace asked my brother, who was also scratching at his skin.

“Yeah, for sure. Drive safe, dude.” They fist-bumped, and Ace left after stopping in the house for his God-awful helmet.

“Why couldn’t you be nice?” Ryan lightly shoved me, annoyance in his tone.

“Why didn’t you warn me?” I shoved him back a bit harder.

“It’s my house, too, Celine.” He rolled his eyes, crossing his welt-covered arms over his broad chest.

“That’s the rule, and you know it, dipshit.” He threw his head back in laughter.

“Whatever. Go shower. You reek!” He pushed me toward the backdoor into the house. My jaw hit the ground at what he’d said, and I whirled around to face him.

“I stink?” I scoffed. “You should smell yourself.” I laughed at his face when he sniffed his armpits, walking into the house. Our parents were standing there, sipping coffees, small smiles on their faces.

“Wasn’t he cute?” My mother grinned at me, and my father shook his head, laughing softly.

“Not my type, Mom. Don’t even start.” I had no interest in anyone after the way Aidan had left me. They both laughed this time and shared a knowing look. “Anyway, I’m going to shower and get an early night. Big day tomorrow. First day of class and all.”

“Goodnight, honey,” they both said as I brushed past them.

chapter two

CELINE

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