Page 18 of Never To Forever

Her expression is sympathetic, but I push down my pain and step aside to let her into the house. We make our way to the living room and Ally drops her bags on the floor before we settle together on the couch. Ally tilts her head and studies me with a slightly furrowed brow.

“I’m sorry,” she says. “I tried to convince them that I didn’t need to come here and that we shouldn’t bother you, but they wouldn’t listen.”

“It’s not your fault.” I assure her. “Don’t worry. You know I love having you here.”

“Still, it’s not fair,” she insists. “Mom and Dad can be so selfish sometimes.”

As much as I appreciate Ally’s understanding and that she tries to stand up for me, I don’t want her to resent Meredith and Dad because of me.

I lean back against the couch, deciding it’s best to steer the conversation away from our parents and into safer territory.

“Tell me about school. And not about your studies or the SATs. Tell me about fun stuff.”

Ally’s face lights up and her lips curl into a big grin.

“Okay!” she exclaims, and I think she might be relieved to focus on something other than her grades, tests, and college prospects. “So, you remember my friend Rebecca? Well, the other day, she…”

I sit back and listen as Ally rattles on, warmth flooding me at her enthusiasm and excitement—as if she’s just been waiting for the opportunity to talk about this stuff. She tells me about her favorite teacher, her plans to audition for the school play, and even a prank war going on in her science class that I make her promise she won’t participate in. Then she tilts her head, giving me a curious look.

“So… what’s going on with you and Garrett?”

I blink, surprised by the sudden change in topic.

“Garrett? Nothing more than usual. Why?”

She shrugs, grinning. “You’ve been spending so much time together, I was just curious if you’d made any progress on that front.”

I laugh. “I wish I could say I have, but no. I’m just like a sister to him, and I don’t think that’s changing now that I’m helping him while he’s hurt.”

Ally giggles, then looks thoughtful. “What was it like growing up around him and Haven?”

Another question I hadn’t anticipated. Ally’s being oddly insightful tonight—not that she isn’t usually. She’s such a smart girl. Observant, witty, and caring. She’s easy to talk to, and we have fun together despite our age difference.

As I consider her question, my thoughts drift back to when I was a girl. How I’d go to Haven’s house almost every day because her mom reminded me of my mom so much - they were best friends, after all, so shared a lot of similar qualities - and I was little and just wanted that love and attention so badly. Their mom had embraced me like I was her own daughter and she made me feel like I belonged with them.

“We were all really close,” I tell her, trying to keep my tone casual. “Haven’s practically my sister, and her family just… became part of mine too, you know? Then there was Garrett. He was always protective of us. Always looking out for us when he was in high school. Even though he was ten years older and had a whole life of his own, he was always there for Haven and me, even when he went off to college. He didn’t have to be there for me, but he was. He always made me feel… precious.”

Ally’s quiet, watching me with a funny little smile, and she raises an eyebrow. “So, you’re in love with him.”

I roll my eyes. Of course, I’m in love with Garrett. I have been since I was eighteen. I’ve always tried to hide the depth of my feelings for him by keeping things light and flirty.

“Keep that up,” I tease, “and I’ll send you right back to the flu den, where you belong.”

She laughs, stretching her arms over her head. “I can handle a cold, thank you very much.”

My brow furrows in confusion. “Wait, what do you mean, a cold?”

Ally shrugs. “The twins just have colds. It’s really not that big a deal. I don’t know why Mom and Dad are freaking out so much. They probably picked it up when we went to the water park for their birthday this past weekend, not the school.”

My stomach clenches. Birthday party? I’d asked if they were doing anything for the twins, and Meredith had told me they were too busy and might plan something later this month. She lied. She fucking lied to me to keep me away. Why am I even surprised? It’s not the first time this kind of thing has happened, and no doubt she made up some excuse to justify my absence or make me the bad guy somehow.

I’m only part of this family when it’s convenient for Meredith and Dad… otherwise, I might as well not exist.

For Ally’s sake, I hide my anger and frustration because this isn’t her fault, but deep down, I’m fuming, hurt, and disappointed.

But most of all, I’m tired. Tired of being disappointed—and tired of having no real place in my own family.

CHAPTER EIGHT

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