Page 22 of Only With You

“I would love that.”

“Juls! You’re back!” Polly’s smile stretches across her face like she’s genuinely happy and relieved to see me. She takes the sofa across from us and sets the menus on the coffee table.

That somewhat alleviates the nerves lodged in my throat and gives me the courage to say what I’ve been thinking this whole week.

“Would it be best if I moved out?”

Thick silence settles between us before Gabby cuts it. “Why? Did we do something wrong?”

I meet her stare, gauging her expression, but she looks shockingly upset that I would suggest such a thing.

Polly doesn’t look hurt but a little angry. She then pulls out her phone. “Did Landon say something to you? Because if he did, I swear I’m going to cuss?—”

“No, no, you guys didn’t do anything wrong and he didn’t say anything.” I pause, trying to gather my thoughts. I expected the worst, but now I regret it. “I know you guys know about move-in day when I hit Landon’s car and everything that transpired after that.”

I think back to a few days before move-in day. The argument Mom and I got into. The slap she gave me for raising my voice to her for the first time. The way Dad came to her defense despite not knowing what happened. How they called me ungrateful because I have everything anyone could dream off. How easy it’d be for them to take it all away. And their punishment.

They didn’t help me move in because they said I needed to think about how I acted and how I’d apologize.

I was upset and Landon was there. It’s no excuse, because I could have hurt him or anyone, but in the moment, I was so angry I didn’t see that.

I don’t tell them that, though. I’ll probably sound spoiled. Even though they didn’t come, they gave me the Range Rover. They said it was their good luck gift to me, but really, it’s to remind me how good I have it because of them.

“I figured you’d want me to move out. I know how much you guys miss having him around. I’m sorry I’m the reason he doesn’t come often.”

“Sure, it was a shitty thing to do, but it happened. It’s in the past.” Polly shrugs, laying her phone on her lap. “Don’t get mewrong. I would’ve been pissed, but that was almost four years ago. I can’t be mad at you for something you did then.”

“And regarding Landon, don’t worry about it. He’ll show up eventually, and if he doesn’t, we’ll see him around. We know where he lives. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t get rid of us,” Gabby adds with a grin.

Wiping my sweaty palms on my thighs, my eyes bounce between the two. “So you aren’t mad at me?”

Gabby shifts her body entirely to face me. “Mad? No, we’re just upset you think we want you to move out. We love having you here. Please don’t leave.”

“Seriously, don’t leave. Your arguments with Landon are hilarious. I haven’t been this entertained since Lola denied her feelings for TJ and vice versa. That was fun.” Polly sighs, staring off into the distance as if she were reminiscing.

“But I thought our arguments annoyed you.”

“At first, but now, they’ve grown on me. It’s kind of funny seeing someone rile Landon up so much.”

“I’m pretty sure nothing riles him up.” I would know. It’s him who pisses me off.

Gabby nods, her bun at the top of her head bobbing. “We’ve been best friends for a while. No one but you seems to bring him out of his silence.”

“I’m sure that’s not…” I trail off when Polly looks at me like she knows something I don’t, and when she looks at Gabby, her smile is borderline creepy. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No reason, no reason at all.” She shakes her head as Gabby giggles.

I narrow my eyes, wondering what the hell that’s about, but I decide not to put much thought into it. That’s not what matters anyway. These girls are not as bad as my old roommates. Maybethis year isn’t going to be too bad. I just need to figure out how to pass Calc.

“I do want you to know that I was going to apologize and pay for all the damages but—” I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I just want you to know that I really regret what I did.”

“We’ll forgive you on one condition.” Polly grabs the menus and flips through them until she finds the one she’s looking for.

“Okay?” I tentatively reply.

“You come out with us tomorrow night and hang out with us more. Starting tonight with Frimance.”

A huge weight lifts off my chest, as does the lump that was stuck in my throat. I should stop expecting the worst. Not every girl is Sienna and her friends.

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