Page 42 of Rookie Mistake

Davis pulls back, cradling my cheeks in his palms as he stares down at me and gives me my favorite, flirty smile.

“I wanna scream about you from the rooftop, Trouble. What do you say about me introducing you to my friends? Officially.”

It’s been a crazy, emotional night, but somehow, just these few moments with Davis make me feel so much better. Just being around his laid-back, easygoing attitude brings me a sense of calm I didn’t even know how badly I needed.

“I would love that,” I say quietly against his lips.

His smirk widens into the most gorgeous smile that makes the dimple in his cheek pop. He laces our fingers together, then says, “Then let’s go, Trouble.”

chapter fourteen

Zara

“Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby”— Cigarettes After Sex

It takes less than twenty-four hours after moving into Harper’s dorm for my brother to show up at her door. I guess he really didn’t believe me when I said that I would pack all of my stuff and leave. Because I did, and even though I’m sleeping on Harper’s lumpy, slightly smelly old couch for the foreseeable future, it’sstillbetter than dealing with Oliver on the daily.

I don’t regret my decision in the least, even though he’s standing here looking like a kicked puppy.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I pop a brow. “What are you doing here?”

“I… came to apologize. To you. Not to him,” he says with a sheepish expression.

My eyes roll as I reach for the door and curve my palm around the handle. “You’re off to a great start, Oliver. Truly.”

“Fuck. I’m sorry, Zara. Okay? I’m sorry for not respecting your boundaries and for suffocating you.”

I say nothing, waiting for him to continue down the long list of things he should apologize for. This is the first major fight we’ve ever gotten in, but a simple sorry isn’t going to change anything. The only thing that’s going to fix this is for him to actually listen to what I’ve been trying to say and for him to respect my boundaries and my life.

I’ve said it until I’m blue in the face, and I’m not wasting my breath on another conversation when he doesn’t seem really interested in changing his behavior.

Oliver drags a hand down his face exasperatedly, heaving a sigh. He honestly looks… ragged. “I’m really sorry. It’s just you’re my baby sister, Zar. I know you’re only one year younger than me, but I feel like I need to look out for you and make sure you don’t find yourself in any bullshit. I know I’m overprotective, I really do, but it’s just because I worry about you.”

I only start to feel slightly bad when I see the sincerity on his face, but it’s still not enough to overshadow the shitshow from the last few months.

I’m just empathetic, and I hate this ridiculous rift between us. I’m angry and frustrated, but more than anything, I’m hurt that he so blatantly disregarded my feelings and boundaries.

“Look, I appreciate that, Oliver, I do, but this has to stop, okay? Whatever issue you have with Davis, please let it go. It’s not just hurting you, but it’s hurting him too. And all of this?It’s hurtingme. I really don’t want to permanently move to the dorms with Harp, but I will, Oliver. I really will if that’s what it takes to make you back off. Please just trust me to make my own decisions. You act like I’m an out-of-control idiot who can’t be trusted. Just because I’m younger doesn’t mean I’m less capable of making good choices.”

He doesn’t immediately respond, just stares out past me to something behind me before he finally drags his gaze back to mine. “Okay. I understand, and I promise, I’ll stop. I really mean it, Zara. I hear you. But can you just stop hiding shit from me? I felt blindsided by it last night.”

“Then stop making mehaveto hide things.”

“Okay. I won’t. But Zar, just because you’re into him, it doesn’t mean that I’m going to apologize and become best friends with the guy.”

I shrug. “Fine. I didn’t ask you to be. I’m just asking that you let me live my life and that you respect any and all boundaries that I lay down. You’re not responsible for my actions, Oliver, and you can’t control me by forcing me into something that I don’t want. Davis and I are officially a couple now, and if you still want to be a part of my life, then you’ll be civil and stop putting me in the middle of something that hasnothingto do with me.”

Oliver doesn’t look happy about the fact that Davis and I are officially dating, but guess what?

It’s not his decision, and he gets no opinion on what I do with my love life.

Ever. Again.

“Just give me a little time to come around to it, Zar. I promise I’ll back off and respect your boundaries and choices.” He pauses, unshed tears shining in his green eyes. “You’re my baby sister, and you’re my best friend, and I know I’ve been a real asshole the last few months, but I just feel like you’re slipping away from me and growing up and leaving me behind.”

My shoulders fall when I sigh, blowing out a pent-up breath and shaking my head. Oliver’s been an asshole, and my trust in him isn’t what it once was, but he’s still my brother.

He’s still my best friend. Even if I want to throttle him. He’s still the guy who spent most of his middle school years with his nails painted because he let me practice on him. He’s the guy who learned how to braid my hair so he could do it himself because I would cry when we brushed out the tangles.

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