Page 12 of Rhys: and the girl who was always his

I nod, understanding. Caitlin is kind of Ashley’s girlfriend. Ashley came clean over a year ago, but because of the arrangement, she couldn’t be with Caitlin, so they would see each other when it was safe to do so. “You should.” Caitlin’s family are rivals of the Slade family. It’s complicated, but if anyone will understand the politics, it’s her.

“I know.” Her voice is quiet. “I just... don’t want to say it out loud. Feels too real.”

I rest my hand on hers, clutching gently. “You don’t have to do it alone.”

She gives me a small, tired smile. “Neither do you.”

I exhale, leaning back again. “Guess we’re both a little fucked up, huh?”

Ashley laughs softly. “Yeah. But we’ll figure it out.”

I don’t know if she means her and her girlfriend or me and Ally.

But either way, I hope she’s right.

CHAPTERFIVE

ALLY

Avoidance is my new coping mechanism. This isn’t ideal, far from it, but it’s my only recourse at the moment.

I’ve perfected the art of dodging Rhys over the past few days, especially after what happened at Grumpy’s. It’s not easy; the house may be big, but with a tight-knit group like ours and every room echoing with life, I manage.

By some miracle, I managed.

I time my meals for when he’s not in the kitchen, slip into my room before he gets home, and keep my conversations in the group chats vague enough to make sure he can’t pinpoint exactly what I’m thinking.

I know it’s pathetic.

I know it’s childish, but I need time.

Time to process the kiss.

Time to understand what it means and what it changes. Time to figure out what the hell I’m supposed to do with these feelings I’ve been suppressing for years.

The truth is, I’m terrified.

And most of all, I need time to convince myself that wanting him and having him are two entirely different things.

The problem is, no matter how much I try to escape him, he’s always there.

A shadow in the halls.

A glance across the room.

A name on the tip of someone’s tongue.

And every time I think I have a handle on things, something reminds me of the way his hands felt on my skin, the way his lips crashed against mine like he’d been starving for me for years. It’s enough to make me unravel.

I grip the edge of the counter as I pour myself a cup of coffee, inhaling the bitter scent like it might ground me, like it might keep me tethered to something solid.

The sound of footsteps stomping down the hall pulls me from my thoughts, each heavy step like a drumbeat against my skull. I glance up just as Hayden storms into the kitchen, muttering curses under his breath. Millie trails behind him, arms crossed, her frustration practically radiating off her. Millie and Hayden are staying here now that we are all on baby watch.

“Oh, look,” Hayden grumbles, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge. “Another day, another lecture.”

Millie scoffs. “Maybe if you stopped acting like a selfish dick, I wouldn’t have to lecture you.”

I blink, trying to make sense of their argument. “Uh, everything okay?”

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