Page 49 of Diem

With my mom’s disgust and Ollie’s abandonment, I needed someone to keep me from floating away.

Don’t get me wrong, I had my dad but now even that is gone. I’m drowning and I don’t know how to reach the air.

“Try me,” Matt says and I close my eyes.

Maybe it’s because in the darkness it’s easier to admit but I do, the words tumbling from my lips with the salty tang of tears. “I’ve known him since forever. He was my friend. He…made me feel like more than just Ollie’s stupid sister. Diem was the only one who cared. But clearly, he sees what everyone else does.”

“Sees what,” Matt asks, touching my arm.

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m nothing like Ollie. He’s smarter, stronger, better. I don’t compare and I never will.”

“Maeve, that’s—“

The sound of glass shattering brings us around and when I look up, I see Diem. His back is turned and his head bowed. When one of his adoring harem rushes to him, I back away.

“Mae—“

“Let’s just go,” I say tiredly.

Matt doesn’t protest and I stare out the window until we pull up to my house.

“Maeve?” Matt says quietly.

“Hm?”

“I think you’re pretty amazing.”

Smiling through my tears, I say softly, “Thanks, Matt.”

He searches my gaze before nodding and I exit on trembling legs, wishing I could love the boy who just stared at me with stars in his eyes.

∞∞∞

Diem

I’ll never fucking forget the defeat in Maeve’s tone. I did that and there’s fuck all I can do about it.

Chapter Twelve

Maeve

The following morning, I stop on the stairs when I hear my parents bickering in the kitchen. I’m in no mood for this and sometimes I just wish they would divorce and get it over with.

Tiptoeing down the remaining steps, my hand is on the knob when Mom shrieks, “Enough! You brought that man around my children, Ken.”

“Nunnie, don’t be so damn dramatic—“

“I’ll show you, dramatic.”

Rustling breaks out and I cock my head, as she says, “Mr. Yates is accused of first degree murder, soliciting young women in vulnerable positions and offering them money to perform sexual acts.”

Holy shit. Ramsay’s dad? No fucking way.

“Nunnie, it’s an accusation. Last time I checked people in this country are innocent until proven guilty,” Dad says.

There’s a pregnant pause before I flinch when something shatters in the kitchen. Mom begins to scream, and I step toward the door before it gets worse.

“What about Frank, you idiot? Did you think about him when you started this shit? It’s all about to come down and then what?”

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