Page 54 of When We Breathe
“Nah, they have it covered. I’m taking them for a ride.” He laughs and turns to the stairs. “I’m my father’s son.”
Jake went from foster care to being adopted by Millie’s brother, Ryan. A billionaire.
“Bye, Jake,” I call out and take the pizza over to my small desk and set it down.
“You look so much happier,” Darby says as I sit down again.
“I feel so … I don’t even know. I left them. They offered me so much, and I left because I’m scared to trust that they really love me. They’ve given me the space I asked for, while still making sure I’m taken care of. That I’m eating. That I feel …cherished.”
I wipe my nose again as more tears fall.
“And Jake just said that they’re freaked out. They’re hurting, and they haven’t said one mean thing to me. I don’t want to hurt them. They don’t deserve that. I’m sodonebeing controlled by a man who hated us with every fiber of his being. He’s long dead, yet he still controls so many of my reactions to things.”
I think back to the nightmare I woke up from this morning.
I’m so tired of being afraid.
“They wouldn’t leave me high and dry to fend for myself. And even if something catastrophic were to happen, I have you all. I haveme.”
The others nod in agreement, and Charlie rubs her hand up and down my arm.
“I’ve been stupid,” I admit. “These guys love me, and I ran away.”
“You arenotstupid,” Billie says, shaking her head. “Don’t talk about my bestie like that. You got scared, and I think that’s probably normal.”
“Now what’s going to happen?” Skyla asks.
I nibble on my lower lip. “I have to pack up the few things left in this apartment so I can go home.”
Charlie squeaks and wraps her arms around me, squeezing me, and kisses my cheek. “I’m so happy for you.”
“What if?—”
“No!”
“Stop!”
“It’s going to be great!”
They all stop me in unison, making me laugh.
“Okay, you’re right. No more what-ifing myself to death.”
“Good.” Dani kisses my cheek. “Do you want help packing?”
“Nah, it won’t take long. There isn’t much left. The place comes furnished.”
“So for two months, you already had almost all of your stuff over at that house, but you still didn’t let the lease go?” Darby’s shaking her head at me.
“I’m stubborn, okay? I learned it from you.”
“Not me.” Darby holds her hands up. “We’ll blame Holden.”
“My manisincredibly stubborn. Thank God,” Millie agrees with a grin.
We all stand and put the mostly untouched food into bags so they can take it home, and I follow them to the door.
“Go home to your guys,” Dani says after kissing my cheek again. “Go live your beautiful life, sissy. We’ve earned it.”
