Page 24 of Every Broken Promise
“I didn’t abandon them. I called them, we video-chatted, and they visited me. I stayed in touch with the peopleIloved,” I bit back.
He flinched, and his jaw clenched.
Before we could go for round two, my parents came back out, smiling and giggling.
“Let’s eat. Then, for dessert, Tyler brought all your favorites.” My mother looked at me and wagged her eyebrows as she said it.
“What’s for dinner?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
“Lemon pepper chicken skewers,” my mom said. “They’re Tyler’s favorite.”
My eyes cut to him involuntarily, only to find his gaze already on me. Those green eyes used to pierce me in the worst way. I would get stuck looking at him, loving how his dark lashes framed his eyes, wondering how it would feel to have all his attention—as more than just a friend. I fought the urge to look down due to the intensity of his stare.
Dinner was good, even if it was awkward at moments. The chicken tasted amazing. My mom clearly tried new recipes andshared them with Ty-enemy. My parents had to carry on the conversations. On my end, it was like pulling teeth, while Ty was all too happy to speak. He quickly realized that I would not be speaking directly to him—even if my parents were there.
Was it rude? Maybe.
At least I was sticking to my guns, which had to count for something.
As soon as we finished eating, I got up and cleared the table. My mother soon followed me inside.
“Astrid,” she bit out in an annoyed tone. “Stop being rude. I know I taught you better than this.”
Ouch.
I had to admit that hurt. It felt like she was taking a side, and it wasn’t mine. Biting my tongue wasn’t something I often did, but I held my retort out of respect for my mother. I had brought Tyler into our lives, and I had essentially forced my mother to step up when his mom passed away.
I was angry at him, and I wanted him out of my life. A petty part of me also wanted my mother to side with me, but she loved him. She helped raise him, and I would never force her to pick.
“You didn’t tell me he was coming,” I accused.
Her face softened just a fraction.
“You would have run out.”
“I’m still debating it,” I said sarcastically.
She shook her head and then pulled out a bag fromDelicia’s.My mouth watered at the sight of all thepan dulce.Then she killed me when I saw the drink container.
“No,” I whooshed.
My mom poured the hot chocolate into a pan so she could reheat it.
The asshole got Lupe to make hot chocolate when it wasn’t in season. I wasn’t sure if my hatred for him went down a notch or up because his persistence pissed me off.
Even in wars, people called temporary truces, right? Without letting myself think twice about it, I marched back outside. My father was having a conversation with Tyler, and I didn’t let this dissuade me.
I kept walking up to them. Since my father was facing my way, he noticed me before Tyler did.
It was do-or-die time.
The moment my hand made contact with Ty’s, it was electric. In the absence of four years and a few months, I had forgotten what his skin on mine felt like.
I had always loved the way my hands seemed to get lost in his. It was the first thing I noticed when he hit puberty. When we were younger, I was so used to holding on to his hand that I was used to being the brave one.
On our first day of freshman year, I choked, and he held on to me. At that moment, I knew I loved how small I felt compared to him.
I was blaming these feelings on muscle memory and not because I still felt the same way I used to four years ago.
