Page 180 of Rewind It Back

Over my shoulder, I watch his parents’ bedroom slowly creak open, but the woman who exits isn’t Mrs. DeLuca.

“Mom?”

Adjusting her blouse, her eyes snap up to mine.

I’ve always been told I am the spitting image of her, and right now it feels like I’m looking in a mirror due to the complete and utter shock on her face that I know is reflected on my own.

She’s in her work clothes, though her heels are dangling in her hand. Her cheeks are flushed, her hair is a touch tangled, and she’s frozen in place outside of her best friend’s bedroom.

“Hallie.” My name is hardly a ghost of a whisper past her lips. “What are you doing here?”

My eyes go wide. “What areyoudoing here?”

Because what the hell is going on?

My attention flicks to the open bedroom door, but she steps in front of it to block my view.

“It’s not what it looks like.”

“What does it look like?” My heart is pounding. I can hear my pulse ringing in my ears. “What are you doing here?”

“Mia... needed...” She throws her thumb over her shoulder towards the room. “Mia needed me to grab her something.”

My gaze drops to her arms. She’s carrying nothing but her shoes.

“Mom?” My voice cracks, laced with a panic plea. “Please tell me what you’re doing here.”

“Steph,” Mr. DeLuca’s voice calls out from inside the room. “Did you want—”

His sentence cuts short when he steps behind my mom and spots me down the hall, standing in front of his son’s bedroom.

And just like that, everything I was hoping I’d falsely assumed is confirmed.

His shirt is untucked and partway unbuttoned. His belt is still unfastened.

“Hallie,” he breathes out, eyes impossibly wide.

I can’t speak. I can’t move. This can’t be fucking happening.

“Go back inside.” My mom puts a hand on his chest, urging him back. “I’ll handle this.”

“Steph.” His tone is desperate. His eye contact is pointed.

“She won’t say anything.”

My mom sounds so sure of herself as she closes the door, leaving only her and me in the hallway together. If I could get out of this house without having to pass by her, then I would. I’d run.

My mom turns her attention back on me. “Hal—”

“How could you?!” I practically scream.

She closes her eyes. “Hallie, let me explain.”

“Let you explain?” I laugh sardonically. “Let you explain what? What kind of explanation could you possibly have for sleeping with my boyfriend’s dad? What the hell are you thinking?”

“I know,” she says calmly. “I know.”

“How long?”

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