Page 96 of The Opposite of Romance
I dip my head. There’s nothing else to do right now. I’m an emotional wreck, which is no state to make any life-altering decisions.
My tears dry out, and my breathing settles while I’m still hugging Sandy. “You’re my rock, Dee.”
“You’re my rock, too. How about we take a dip in your pool?”
I let out a giggle, surprised by her suggestion. But as I dive underneath the surface of the water, I know why she suggested it. The coolness of the water helps me clear my head. The weightlessness I feel makes all my problems seem less important.
She’s a genius. And I don’t know what I’d do without her.
“How did the kids take it?”
“As hard as you’d expect.” I sigh. “Liv closed herself in her room and she’s been even more moody than usual. And Ash … Ash’s been checking on what else needs to be done around the house. I even caught him trying to break off a piece of deck’s railing yesterday, hoping that Logan will come to fix it. Somehow, I managed to hurt them again.”
“It wasn’t your fault. He would have been around, even if you two weren’t hooking up.”
“Yeah, but I brought him here. They got attached. And now he’s gone.”
“Technically, I brought him here, so blame me. Or Liam.” She shrugs, making me huff a laugh.
“I already feelbetter,” I joke.
“See? I’m magic.” She is. “Is Liv ready for her recital on Friday?”
“Think so. She stopped complaining about the costumes, so there’s that.”
“Hmm. That’s weird.”
“I agree. But at least she seems kind of excited about it now. And I’m taking her for a haircut tomorrow. The shorter one she chose.”
Hopefully, it will lift her spirits a bit.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
SADIE
The school recital finishes,and David and I wait in line for Liv to get out, looking every bit like stereotypical, proud parents. My hands are balled together on my chest, my lungs full of air.
“You were amazing, sweetie!” I squeal at her when she gets out. She rolls her eyes at my emotional outburst.
But I have every right to be proud. She did the recital like a pro, not missing a single line. Even though she hated the costumes and wasn’t thrilled to perform. She insisted on wearing black tights underneath her pink dress, but it was an easy compromise for me.
“What was it like?” I ask her, while David gives her a hug, and we all make our way out to the parking lot.
“It was ok,” she responds, and my mouth stretches into a smile.
“You look pretty.” Asher is bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“I won’t be wearing pink next time. Or a dress,” she huffs.
“Not this again,” David mutters, and I elbow him in the gut for the second time today. The first time, he made a backhanded comment about her new haircut, which was ridiculous. Her pixiecut looks great, and it’s obvious she feels more comfortable with it.
Now is not the time nor the place for one of his lessons. If she wants to wear pants, or black, she’ll be wearing black fucking pants. I’m proud that she respected the costume today, but she shouldn’t have to hide who she is.
David wraps his arm around my shoulders. In apology, I guess. It’s weird. It’s supposed to be a friendly gesture, but his touch is foreign. And we’re not friends. Not anymore.
“Logan, you came!” Liv’s squeal lifts my head.
She runs toward him, who has no business being here, especially not looking as good as he does in a mint polo shirt and dark slacks. They share a quick hug, and I hear him telling her she did a great job.
