Page 67 of Under My Skin
Hold it together, Lucy.
I grab three cans, and head back into the living room as Simon takes a seat on the opposite end of the couch from his sister. Handing a beer to each of them, I collapse into the recliner and survey the scene. Lucy seems to have gotten her bearings. Her eyes are sharp again, focused on Simon as he talks about a conversation he had with their parents earlier. Cracking open my beer, my eyes wander to Simon. I wonder if he’d care that I just kissed his sister, and I wonder why I don’t feel as guilty as I should.
I go to take a sip, but pause, my lips pressing together at the thought. I might have fucked up. I meant what I said to Lucy—I don’t regret it, but that doesn’t change the fact that I shouldn’t have done it.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
LUCY
The words CopperRidge Tattoo Co. stare back at me from my laptop screen. I’ve been working on Everett’s new logo for most of the morning, but as simple as the design may be, I haven’t perfected it yet. I’ve been trying to find a font that resembles his dad’s leather keychain, but nothing feels like a good fit yet. He and Simon are both at work, and the quiet apartment doused in the soft golden glow of morning light has me more relaxed than I’ve felt in weeks.
Pudge bumps against my legs, and I tap my fingers on the couch cushion beside me for him to jump up. He does, curling into himself before flopping onto his side and stretching his legs out on either end, his paws flexing. I gently scratch him behind the ears as I stare at the screen. With my other hand, I test out a few other fonts that could work, but my phone rings before I’ve found something I’m happy with.
Allison’s name appears on my screen, and I abandon scratching Pudge to answer. “Hey, stranger.”
“I know, I know. I’ve been swamped,” she says, and it sounds like she’s on the move. “How’s it going with your parents?”
“Fine, I guess. If anything, they’re the most easy-going soon-to-be-divorced people I’ve ever seen.”
I can hear the frown in her voice when she says, “Damn. Still no answers?”
“None.” I sigh as I lean against the back of the couch and run my fingers through my hair. “Simon is still so unbothered by the whole thing, too.”
“Maybe the two of you should confront them together . . . if you really want to know.”
I sit up straight. “What do you mean, ‘if I really want to know’?”
She sighs into the phone. “I don’t know. They’re your parents. Do you really want to know their dirty laundry?”
“Yes.”
She laughs, and the sound makes me feel lighter. “Look, I’m all for sticking it to those who deserve it, but these are yourparents.You’re kind of stuck with them, for better or worse.”
I scoff. “The unbreakable vow.”
“You know what I mean.” A chime sounds in the background, like one you might find hanging over the door of a shop. “Whatever it is might make you see them differently. If they haven’t told you still, there’s a good chance that’s what they’re afraid of.”
“Did you get the chance to stop by the apartment?” I wait for her response with bated breath.
“I did . . . Do you want the good news or the bad news first?”
I slowly close my laptop. “Umm, the good news I guess?”
“The good news is I can handle it.”
I frown. “I’m not following. Handle what?”
“Jasmine,” she answers sharply.
The blood drains from my face. “The apartment? What’s wrong with it?” I set my laptop down and tuck my legs beneath me. “What happened?”
“No damage!” she answers too quickly. “But, Lucy, why didn’t you tell me?”
I bite my thumbnail. “Tell you what?”
“Lucy.”
“It wasn’t something you needed to worry about,” I say, suddenly defensive. “I had it all under control, but I wasn’t expecting to have to come home.”
