Page 198 of Only With You

“Do you?” I counter.

“Watch yourself.” His eyes threateningly narrow. “I’m going to give you one more chance. Stop this childish bullshit andleave, because my patience is running thin. This is your last chance and I better never hear about this good-for-nothing again. And you’re welcome, because he would’ve made you miserable.”

“I lied about Calculus. I wasn’t passing. I was failing because I was too scared to tell you. But then I found out thatgood-for-nothinghappens to be really good at math and I hired him. And because of him, I’m currently sitting at an A. And don’t worry, I paid him with the money I made from the job that you guys never ask about. Well, one of the many things you guys don’t ask about, because the only thing that matters is that I make good grades and stay in shape. Right?” The anger fades and despite how sad I feel right now, I don’t cry. I don’t have it in me anymore.

“Julianna—”

“I called you to tell you that I wanted to drop the sorority, yet you were more concerned about a stupid dress than how I felt. I told you about Sienna and how she used me, yet that didn’t matter. You ignored how I felt and maybe if you had listened, you would’ve heard me tell you that I was sexually assaulted, and I’ve struggled to come to terms with it. To believe it wasn’t my fault. For two years now until thatgood-for-nothing,would have made me miserablecame into my life andlistened. That’s all I wanted from you guys, but I don’t need it anymore. I can’t deal with your constant disappointment and ways to remind me how I’m nothing without you.”

Anger seeps from them, and their faces go pale at my admission. At one point in my life, that would’ve brought some kind of semblance of hope, but now I feel nothing.

“Maybe I’m making a mistake, but I’d rather figure it out than to have you constantly remind me of how useless I am.”

“You’re seriously not insinuating what I think you are?” Dad gapes.

“You’re being dramatic, Julianna. You need to think this through,” Mom chastises. “There’s no need to make rash decisions.”

I let out a humorless chuckle. “I’m dropping the sorority and I’m not going to medical school. I don’t want anything from you guys anymore. I’ll figure out a way to send it all back. Oh, and Landon’s not going anywhere. Like it or hate it, I don’t care. He’s my boyfriend and that’s not going to change.”

I walk out as I hear them calling my name, but I don’t look back.

55

LANDON

I needto stop stalling and get it over with.

I hate overthinking, but everything has gotten out of my control. When Julianna texted and asked me to come over after my game, I couldn’t help but think she’s going to break up with me.

Yesterday, I realised that despite how good my intentions were, my words were shit. And that Julianna, no matter what her parents do or say to her, she respects them too much to go against them.

Because of that and their obvious disdain for me, she may not want to be with me anymore.

Scrubbing my palm over my face, I pinch the bridge of my nose as I feel it sting. There are too many emotions rioting in my head and there’s this neverending sinking feeling I’ve not been able to get rid of since last night.

I quickly shove it all away when the door swings open and Gabby steps out.

“Oh, hey, Landon. Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready for semi?” A friendly smile curls on her lips, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

I felt like a dick cancelling on Jagger last minute, but there’s no way I could go. Then Julianna asked me to come over and I wasn’t going to say no. He didn’t mind, though, especially after he forced me to talk to him last night. I wasn’t going to tell him what happened, but he was insistent.

He said he’d take one for the team and take both girls.

“Change of plans.” The sinking feeling returns again. “Are you okay?”

Her black brows knit and her smile grows, but it feels off and not like her. “Yeah, just tired from all the studying and it’s that time again.”

She’s referring to renewing her DACA and everything that comes with it.

“Do you need help with anything?” I offer despite knowing the answer.

“No, it’s okay. I got it. I’m actually going to take pictures at semi and—” Her phone buzzes, and when she looks at it, her eyes go wide. “Crap. I have to go, but I’ll see you later.” She’s off before I can get a word out.

I can’t ponder over the look on her face because I hear the familiar tune of a guitar. When I step in, shutting the door behind me, concealing the noise, I know she’s listening to me on YouTube.

I move robotically and head to her room. My heart thunders. My mind races with pestering thoughts, but it all comes to a screeching halt when I see cardboard boxes and stuff in them.

“You’re leaving?” I don’t understand why, but the bridge of my nose burns and my eyes become oddly wet.

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