Page 79 of Come As You Are

The thing is, though, at this very moment, my lifeisgreat. I do have everything. And while I’m sure Camden will continue throwing its curveballs, fighting with Sierra right now is basically just kicking a dog when it’s down. What’s the point? She isn’t sorry. I’m not forgiving. And this isn’t worth the mental energy for either of us.

It’s time to wrap this up, but I’mnotgoing to let her make me the bad guy as we do it.

“I don’t want togloat,See. I’ve never felt worse in my entire life than when I came here, by myself, having beggedMom and Dad to spend money they didn’t have, minus a boyfriend, a best friend,anda sister. Whatever you think I had when I started here, I’m telling you now, you were wrong.”

I take a deep breath, half convinced she’ll hang up while I do, but I can still hear her breathing on the other end of the line, and I forge forward. “I’ve made choices since then, some bad, but most really, really good, including the one to come here and start again out of your shadow. And now, not only am I happy, but I see the things that broke me for the minor setbacks they actually were. Whatever else happens between us, I hope you’re able to say the same someday.”

There’s no response, only more quiet breath, and I realize I don’t want one. “Good night, Sierra. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

And then I hang up and head to the stairs to collect my hug.

The next day, it takes both Salem and Sabrina to help me carry my stuff out to where my parents are picking me up, mostly because I’m taking advantage of the round-trip rides to bring home as much laundry as possible. Add to that my laptop, the books I’m bringing home to study from, and my clothes for the long weekend, and it’s definitely a group effort.

And okay, yes, maybe I need the extra fortification after yesterday’s miserable phone call.

“This is completely ridiculous, you know that,” Sabrinasays flatly, readjusting the bag of sheets slung over her shoulder. “Does Rumson not have laundry?”

“Spoken like someone who doesn’t have to share her machines with twenty-two filthy, sweaty, horny boys.”

“You mean twenty-one filthy, sweaty boys and one who’s completely dashing and pristine at all times,” Salem amends.

Sabrina and I roll our eyes. “I notice you didn’t strike ‘horny’ for yourself,” she points out dryly.

“Well.” He gives a slow, languid shrug, and she puts on a dramatic retching show.

“You guys are gross.”

“I didn’t even say anything!” I protest.

“His hand is literally in the ass pocket of your jeans.”

Oh, so it is. “Okay, well, maybe you would find our coupledom less annoying if you would give a certain somebody a chance.”

Sabrina rolls her eyes again. I’ve been trying to get her to at leasttalkto Isabel for weeks, but she’s insisted she has no interest in having anything to do with that group of friends, and she’s been sticking to it. And since Isabel refuses to do any pursuing… “Move on, Skeevy. It’s not happening.”

“Okay, first of all, can everyone stop calling me that? And second of all, she’sIsabel McEvoy.And she wants to put her hand in your ass pocket.” I pause at that and note everyone’s expressions of mild disgust. “I hear how that came out and that is not what I was going for. But you know what I mean. She is literally the hottest girl in this school. How are you not even gonnatalkto her?”

“Just to be clear,” says Sabrina, “in college, when you finally have that ‘oh shit, I’m bi’ moment, and try the whole ‘Whaaat? But there weren’t any signs!’ thing, I’m going to direct you back to this conversation.”

“I’m notnotfeeling threatened,” Salem adds.

I roll my eyes. “I don’t think I enjoy this Grayson twin onslaught.”

“We get that a lot,” they say simultaneously, and I groan, but in truth, it warms me to see them getting along so well, even if it’s a stark reminder that I’m heading home to a very different sibling interaction.

“That is not a happy face,” Sabrina observes, squinting at me. “Are you only just realizing who your boyfriend is? I was afraid this would happen. There’s still time to take it back. I’ll pretend this never happened if you do.”

Salem scratches at his nose with his middle finger, then looks down at me. “Thinking about your sister again?”

“How can I not?” I groan. “What if we just wandered off into the woods? Tell my parents to turn around and go home, would you?”

“You can handle this,” Salem assures me, taking my face in his freezing hands, because of course he refuses to wear gloves. “You are a badass. Sierra’s got nothin’ on you.”

I stand on my toes to press my lips to his, circling my arms around his neck, and there’s another retching sound before Sabrina says, “That is definitely my cue. Happy Thanksgiving, pervs.”

“Bye, Sabs!” I call after her before Salem reclaims me for another kiss, and then another, and then all talk of my sisterand going home flees my mind completely as it turns into a full-on makeout.

A loud cough sounds nearby and we pull apart to see Hoffman glaring at us from where he stands with a clipboard, checking off departures as parents come to claim their kids. My cheeks are already rosy from the cold, but I can feel their color deepening and I bury my face in Salem’s shoulder.

---