Page 108 of Lilah

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"Goddammit, Lilah."

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I wake up casually and instantly feel Grey's hand brushing my hair out of my face.

I realize I'm still directly on top of him but I don't feel bad because he did the exact same thing to me and he weighs a good 23,583 pounds more than me. Or at least that's what it felt like.

I roll my head over to the clock, feeling his eyes trained on the side of my face, and nearly have a heart attack when I see that it's almost time for mom to come home. Plus, who knows when dad will be home?

"Grey, you really have to go now," I tell him. He lets out a harsh sigh and he lifts both of us out of my bed.

He grasps my chin gently but firmly.

"You don't deserve to be treated like a fucking child," He sneers but not at me.

But I'm living under his roof.

"You do whatever the fuck you want," he adds.

But he'll probably hurt me.

"And for you to not be allowed tosmelllike me? That's bullshit."

"Tell your dad that he can kiss my ass," he releases me and goes to put his shoes on.

I would never speak out against him to him. I can't.

I'm actually excited to hear Grey talk this much.

"Let me guess," he finishes putting on one shoe, "you can't?"

"I could treat you better than these fucks and I'm still learning how to."

"You're nineteen, not ten," he grumbles.

"You don't understand," I sigh.

"Why? Because I don't have parents?" He asks and I feel bad.

"No, no. My dad, he's just..." I hesitate and he notices narrowing his eyes.

"He just what?"

"He just parents in a different way that's all."

I suppose.

"And your mom?" He asks.

"She doesn't have much to do with me," I mumble.

Except for the occasional telling Dad that I've had enough.

"We all were affected by Jake's passing in a different way," I shrug a single shoulder.

"Don't ignore me anymore," he says sharply before adding a softer 'please.'

"Okay," I agree opening my door to walk him out now that he's got his shoes back on.

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