Page 99 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

“So, I tried reaching out to you guys. Your dad didn’t respond. Neither did you. Chase’s responses were lukewarm at best. I took that as a sign you didn’t need me.”

“So, why now? What changed?”

Mom glances at Dad, then Chase, then back at me. “Chase reached out to me a few weeks ago. He told me your father wasn’t doing well and that he needs me.”

I shoot Chase a betrayed look. He sighs, pushing the fork around his plate.

“I need my family back, too. I’m willing to fix the damage I made. All I want is your approval, Sky.”

“My approval.” I laugh dryly. “Since when does anyone need my approval around here? Everyone’s been talking and doing shit behind my back, anyway. You can all continue. I’m out.”

“Sky!” Dad calls after me. I hear the scraping of chairs, but I don’t look back as I bound the stairs.

I scream into my pillow when I’m in bed. I hate everything. I hate that she came back. Ihateknowing my dad still wants her.

And she looks so happy, which makes me hate her even more.

Why couldn’t she be happy with us? What was so wrong with our family? With me?

I sniff and wipe at my face until my crying drags me to sleep.

When I wake up, it’s to a knock on my door and the bright sunlight coming through my window. Chase eyes me cautiously as I open. With his fingers running through his hair, he apologizes for keeping me out of the loop, then announces that she’s coming back tonight.

“Give her a chance, Sky. Please,” he begs as I roll my eyes. “For dad. You and I will be leaving the nest, and he needs company. He needs her.”

I give him a sharp thumbs-up, close the door, but his words stay on my mind. So, I spend the morning putting work into my appearance. I get through a shower, put on makeup to hide the bags under my puffy eyes and to make me feel more confident – like war paint.

Then I check my phone. I have no less than seven messages from Ash. Half of them make no sense. Him saying I’m prettier than any girl who hits on him at the bar. That he’d rather be playing with me than playing pool. Then one at four in the morning, “I wish you’d tell me the big things, Sky, and let me be there to help fight your dragons with you.”

I stare at that last one and swallow. Goddamn, he’s too good.

And it’s another thing I’m shit at. I can’t be a good daughter. I’m a shit friend. A shit sister. A shit girlfriend.

I text him back, saying I’ll tell him everything later as long as he doesn’t get involved in this specifically. It’s a compromise, right? It’s me showing effort.

“Sky!” Chase calls.

I adjust my dress and look in the mirror. I look a whole lot more put together today. With one more nod to myself, I walk downstairs and see my mom. Her blue eyes soften when she sees me.

“Oh, Sky, look at you. Beautiful. And here I was going to suggest we go to the salon together.”

“No thanks.” My voice is as dry as my eyes. No tears today. None.

She pulls back at my tone, and my dad gives me a look, but it doesn’t stop me from sitting next to him while Chase continues to tell Mom all about how he’s doing in college. I hate that he wants her validation. I hate that Dad is complimenting him, too, acting like we have our life together and didn’t go through hell.

And after an hour of us playing ‘functional but broken family,’ I can’t take the hypocrisy anymore. I stand up, excuse myself and walk out the front door. Gulping down my frustration, I take a few deep breaths.

Just make it through the week, Sky. That’s it. I’ve made it through every week before this, so I can make it through today. I can get through tomorrow, then I can make up plans with Bonnie if I need to.

A car door slams, and my brain comes to a dead stop.Don’t look. Don’t give an inch. He’ll take a mile. Don’t. Don’t

But I can’t stop myself. My eyes lift to meet Ash’s. He’s shirtless, hotter than any summer day I’ve ever seen, with annoyance laced into every feature. His jeans are covered in dust and dirt, but when he sees me, he drops what he is reaching for.

Don’t. Stay put. You don’t need him, I try to convince myself.

He nods to me once, glances at his house, says ‘fuck it’, and storms over to me. That gets me up. I push against his chest. “No. We talked about this.”

“Yeah, and I’m done reining myself in.” He cups my face between his hands. “Please, bumble bee. Let me be here for you.”

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