Page 74 of The Chemistry of Us

“Do you really pick a girl very year?”

“I used to.” He shrugged. “But it was a one-time thing. I don’t do girlfriends.”

“Oh.” Tears welled in my eyes.

He laughed and hugged me tight, resting his chin on my head. “I should have phrased that differently. I’ve never done girlfriends—until you. So no, you aren’t my pick for the night. You’re my pick for as long as you’ll have me—hopefully, that means forever.”

“Don’t make me cry. The sand will stick.”

He gripped my hand tighter. “Let it stick. Oh also, if I see you holding hands with a guy other than me one more time, I’m going to end up in prison.”

“Another guy?”

“Last night. On the deck. Wasn’t stalking.”

I burst out laughing. “That was my foster brother!”

“Thank God.”

I nuzzled myself in Vaughan's arms. “He’s literally the only friend I have. Be nice, okay?”

“As long as he knows you’re mine.”

“Who’s yours?” Sam was already inside. Wait. He was already inside? Wasn’t he waiting for me to text him?

I was so confused until Phoebe walked up to him and looped her arm within his. “So glad we all finally met. Vaughan, this is my boyfriend, Sam. We’re in an open relationship, which I’m sure means so many exciting things for you tonight, right, Tru? It is Tru, right?”

“Sam? What are you doing?”

His face momentarily paled. “What I had to.”

Phoebe smashed her face against his in a painful-looking kiss, then pulled back. “See, Tru? He understands the order of things.” She turned to Sam. “Kneel.”

And he did.

He slowly went to his knees while she patted him on the head.

I was going to vomit.

That woman.

These people.

I ran away from Vaughan and from what I thought I knew of Sam. I ran down the hall until blackness took over my line of vision and went into the first room I could find.

Only to see Sandra on her knees.

In front of Vaughan’s father.

CHAPTER 28

TRU

Then

“Oh my God!”

She stood in place with one hand over her heart, and the other sternly placed on the breakfast table, supporting her weight. I sensed that her composure was buckling, though she portrayed otherwise.

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