Page 156 of Pretty Little Lies

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Olivia Rodrigo playson the Bluetooth speaker in my family room with Ellie and Mae dancing around to their favorite song of“Good For You”with our created girls’ night.

I’ve ordered pizza, and have a bunch of junk food knock offs that I got from the dollar store, but I’m hardly in the mood for games.

In fact, I also didn’t order Torin Wildes standing on my front porch like I didn’t just tell him and his buddy to fuck off yesterday.

“I know it’s not something you’reusedto,” I greet the moment I see him standing there in a dark gray shirt and ripped black jeans looking like a whole damn snack. “But when I tell you I need space, Ineedit.”

He just stares at me like I’m speaking another language or something.

I am.

Torin doesn’t understand the wordnoor anything else that doesn’t resonate with whathewants to do.

A small body barrels between the small space of me and the doorway and Mae begins bouncing up and down.

“Hi!” she greets cheerily. “Did you bring me candy?”

“Always.”

Ah, he found his voice.

He hands over a plastic bag, and Mae instantly dips the moment she plucks it from his fingers.

“Move from the door, Wildfire,” Torin orders placidly, as if he has any right. “You had your twenty-four hours.”

I perk a brow. “I wasn’t on a time limit.”

“It’s a rule.”

“I don’t abide by those either.”

He reaches for the edge of the wooden doorframe and leans against it. “Baby…I know you’re not used to this, but I’m here to make sure you’re mentally alright. And that whatever you need, you have.”

“And I want more time.”

“Who’s looking out for you? Because I know Wallace hasn’t been at the house. And you aren’t returning Reeve’s calls, sooo…”

That’s because Levi has been staying at the hospital and ordered me here.

For now.

“I’m capable of handling my sisters alone, thanks.” I grip the door, ready to slam it into his face. “Now, if you’ll fuck off now—” Torin’s palm hits the surface of the door to stop it.

My two hands shove into his chest, getting him to let go of the door frame, but he doesn’t fly off the porch like I imagined he would.

No, he just stands there, ready to take on any wrath that I’m ready to give out.

“I don’t want you here,” I snarl, low enough so that my sisters don’t hear. “If you think I’m gonna let you by my dad?—”

“Stop right there, Wildfire,” Torin warns me with a flat tone. “No one is going after you dad.”

“But you did.”

“That’s old news.”

My palm cracks across his face so hard that I don’t realize what I have done until I feel the stinging pain.

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