Page 34 of When Ellie Falls in Love

“Good.”

A smile formed slowly on Brayden’s lips as he sat cross-legged on the bed. “So, what’s really going on between you and Sadie?”

“Oh, geez.” Ellie picked up a pillow and threw it at him. “Not you, too. “

“Hey, I notice things.”

“Really? And exactly what have you been noticing?”

“How all lovey-dovey and shit you two looked at lunch today.”

Ellie’s heart seemed to do somersaults in her chest as it dropped then quickly rose. How could the mere mention of how they were perceived at lunch make her feel so giddy? She’d have to examine that some timewithouther brother present.

“We were just having lunch.”

“You can’t even say that without smiling.”

“Shut up.” Standing, Ellie crossed her arms and resisted the urge to smile. “Sadie and I are just friends. That’s all.”

“Whatever. Lie to yourself all you need. Just don’t kick my shin again.”

“Don’t objectify women again.”

“Maybe I should say the same to you,” he teased as Ellie rolled her eyes and walked out of his room.

Her smile grew wider with each step she took to her own room. Ellie could deny it all she wanted to her parents and brother, but there was only so much lying she could do to herself. She just had to figure out what the truth was. Did shelikeSadie? Or were they really just friends? If everything hadn’t happened the way it had, would they have even talked?

Ellie didn’t know the answers. But she was determined to figure them out.

Chapter 12

Sadie

Even after taking the long way home, Sadie still beat Charlie home. Her mother’s car was also absent from the driveway, and Sadie assumed she was showing a house or working late at the office. Her real estate business had been booming since they’d moved to the Cove.

Dropping her bag by the front door, Sadie kicked her shoes off and padded through the living room to the couch. Boyd, Charlie’s old tabby cat, was asleep on a nearby pillow as Sadie reached out to pet him. He purred softly, rolling onto his back so Sadie could rub his belly. She found his favorite spot as his purring increased.

“You’re so lucky you’re a cat, Boyd. Being a human sucks.”

Sadie had decided on her drive home from school that she was going to face the music. She would wait for Charlie and Delaney to get home and tell them everything that happened. There was no use in hiding it or lying about it. Especially not when Charlie clearly knew who was in the picture. All Sadie could do was hope her punishment wasn’t death.

Or worse, getting kicked off the softball team.

She had all but made herself sick to her stomach in anticipation when the front door opened.

Charlie walked in, followed closely by Delaney. Sadie could tell by the looks on their faces that Charlie had already told Delaney what had happened. She wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. But she’d find out soon enough.

“Sadie,” Delaney sighed as she sat her bag and jacket by the door and walked into the living room.

While she knew Charlie was mad at her, Sadie had no clue what her mother’s reaction would be. Disappointment? For sure. Anger? Most likely. Sadie watched as Delaney carefully sat on the coffee table in front of her.

“Charlie told me what happened at school.”

“I’m so sorry, Mom.” Sadie felt hot tears running down her cheeks. “I know I shouldn’t have sent Trevor that picture. It was dumb—so dumb. And I wish I could go back and change it. I’ll never do that again. I swear. I’ll never be that dumb again.”

Delaney’s eyes softened as Sadie covered her face with her hands. She felt her mom move to the couch beside her and wrap an arm around Sadie’s back. Her mom kissed Sadie’s head, holding her close.

“Oh, Sadie. I know.”

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