Page 28 of Arden and the Girl Downstairs

We all turn, and sure enough, Logan’s tongue is on Julia’s arm.

“You taste like rainbows,” he mumbles, before licking her again.

And that’s the moment Arden announces his decision. “Fine, let’s go.”

Arden

I have no idea what’s happening. Well, okay, I get it, but it’s taking me a moment for all my thoughts to process.

I need to get away from here to sort it all out, so I take the only option currently available.

I admit defeat and let them know I’ll go to rehab.

Ella gives me a small smile, which eases some of the tension. Tension I didn’t realise I had.

I stand, and so does Julia, along with all my friends. They make their way over to me and line up.

I hug each of them goodbye.

I can see the hurt in their eyes, which further convinces me this is what I need to do to get myself back. To be the person they need.

I just wish I was strong enough to make this decision myself.

Yasmin reaches up on her tiptoes to kiss me on the cheek and whispers in my ear, “I’m proud of you. Don’t be mad at Ella. I haven’t heard the story yet, but I think she did this for us.”

I don’t respond with words; I just give her a smile and kiss the top of her head.

Rhys, Ally, Chad, and Chase wish me luck and give me hugs of their own.

I stop in front of Julia and pull her close.

I don’t want to leave her. Especially because of what happened. But she holds me tight like she’s trying to hold me together.

I should be the one holding her together.

She steps back slightly and looks up into my eyes, her baby blues the exact same shade as mine, thanks to Dad’s genetics. Julia may only be my half-sister, technically speaking, but I’ve never treated her as anything less than a full sibling. The minute she came home from hospital, I was in love, and I swore I’d do anything to protect my little sister.

“I’ll be okay, Arden. I have our family. The family you’ve created. We’re all in this together and weneedyou to be okay. None of this is your fault. I’ve told you this before, but I’m hoping you’ll actually believe me this time.” Her eyes flash to Ella before she continues. “You are so loved, Arden, by everyone around you. I just wish you could see what we do. I honestly cannot thank EllaandRalph enough for doing this. I know you’ll want to take it out on both of them. But don’t. They are doing this for you. Ella doesn’t owe you anything. Honestly, she should be running in the opposite direction, given how you’ve treated her. But she’s chosen to do this. I couldn’t imagine a better sister-in-law,” she jokes, and I baulk. I’m shocked Julia is okay with this sham marriage.

Is a marriage even legal if it hasn’t been consummated? Before I can say something, the dude bro standing behind Julia speaks. I forgot he was here.

“Wait, Ella is your sister-in-law? When did that happen?” His gaze fixes on Ella and she shrugs.

“Don’t worry, Logan, not even I knew.” Chad’s voice is laced with hurt—a result of his brother and friend keeping this from him. He isn’t the only one hurt . . . but I need to choose my battles at the moment.

Looking over at Ella, I can see that she’s upset by hurting her friends. I don’t understand why she did this and why she kept it a secret from those around her.

Ella shakes her head like she’s clearing the thoughts plaguing her mind.

What’s going on inside that pretty head of hers?

Hold on.

Did I just refer to Ella as pretty?

I don’t even know myself anymore.

She walks over to me and places her petite hand on my arm while ignoring everyone around us. “Are you ready?”

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