Page 26 of Only Ever Yours

“Honey, it will be okay.” She speaks gently, “I got a job offer in San Diego, and it’s a really big pay increase, and honestly… I don’t think I can pass this offer up.”

“San Diego?” I huff a laugh as my eyes widen. “Mom, that area is crazy expensive. The difference in pay will be eaten up by rent. Why are you rushing this decision?”

“I haven’t rushed anything…” she replies calmly, “your sister and I have been discussing this move for several months.”

My head snaps to my sister. I glare daggers her way from across the table, my jaw clenched. That bitch fucking knew for months and didn’t tell me.

We used to be close. What the hell happened?

“…and the company is paying for our housing for the first three months to help us settle.” She finishes, like this somehow makes it all better.

I huff in annoyance, folding my arms as I lean back against the chair. “Well, I’m so glad my life was decided for me. Mom, you know I can’t afford to live by myself, just getting my business started here locally…”

Breanne grunts in laughter, mocking me.

My eyes bounce to her, fuming with disgust as I snap. “What the fuck is so funny, Breanne?”

“Your business? Are you fucking kidding me, Ellie? You have nobusiness.” She smirks.

Fucking bitch. She knows I’ve been working my ass off trying to advertise and get clients introduced to my event-planning business. You would think my sister would support me, but no, she’s a backstabbing bitch that wants everything to herself, even our mother. She doesn’t want me to succeed because she has no drive to better herself. I’m so fucking done with her.

Fuck moving. I will be better off on my own.

“Girls, please.” Mom stands up and walks between our seats.

Not wanting to be around my bitch of a sister any longer, I push from the table to stand, “I’m sorry, Mom, I can’t move to California with you, but you know what, Breanne…” I jab my finger in the air at her, “fuck you for treating me the way that you do! I don’t know who would want a sister if they were anything like you.” She just sits there with a stupid smirk on her face.

Spinning on my heels, I quickly move to exit the kitchen, but before I can break free. She throws the last dagger.

“Oh, Ells… I’m surprised Jay didn’t tell you we were planning to move.” She coos, her voice laced with fake sympathy. “He and I had a long conversation the other night about it.” She pauses briefly, adding to the effect, batting her eyes with satisfaction. “He said he was going to miss us…” Then her hand goes dramatically to her chest as she says the last part. “So badly.”

I bite my tongue so hard I can taste blood. I keep walking, not wanting to give her any more of my time or attention. Her smug cackling follows me up the stairs to my room. I push open my bedroom door and slam it shut behind me.

I need to get out of this house.

The road is so dark and lonely as I’m driving, making my way to my bestie’s house. I haven’t passed a single car on the road since I left my house. The silence of being alone is killing me. I have nobody to talk to except for Haleigh. My life is depressing right now.

I stayed in my room for a couple of hours, thinking about my current situation and what the next step would be. My mom stopped by my room to talk with me and let me know we would be leaving in four weeks. The realtor is supposed to be coming this upcoming week to take pictures and list the house for sale.

Of course, she apologized for Breanne’s rudeness and made excuses for her. It’s what she always does. And maybe that’s part of my sister’s problem.

My sister is just two years older than me, and our father was in and out of the picture for the first two years of her life. Then, before I was ever born, he disappeared. Falling victim to heavy drinking and drugs and spending time in jail, I guess it’s better he left. My mother dealt with verbal abuse from him for years.

She has done fine raising us on her own.

Sure, we’ve had some tough times financially, but we never went without. She has dated on and off, but nothing ever got serious. I’m sure it’s a result of all the mental scars my father left behind.

Maybe that’s where all my man drama stems from.

I’ve never had that male relationship in my life. Not having a father in my life fucked me up; he wasn’t there when I was born and still isn’t to this day.

My mom has told us several stories about our father, and none of them are good. So, I’ve decided it's best if I don't contact him.

Ugh, just four fucking weeks is all I have to get my shit together, to figure out where I’m going to live. Because I sure as hell will not be moving all the way across the country to California.

I tried to call Kevin, but he didn't answer.

I don't quite know what to call our relationship yet—if you can even call it that. I only told Jaydon that he was my boyfriend to fuck with him.

---