Page 65 of Wanted You More

She nods, looking sad. “I dated a guy in high school for a few years and finally slept with him right before graduation. We talked about getting married someday. But a few days after we had sex, he broke up with me because he wanted to explore in college without cheating on me.”

What a douchebag. “He sounds like a total asshole. I hope you blocked him on everything because he doesn’t deserve to be in your life.”

She hugs a pillow against her. “Is it bad I want him to see me living my life? You know, getting dressed up and all that stuff? He’s never seen me that way before.”

I watch her carefully from where I sit at my desk, taking off my makeup. “You want to make him jealous,” I surmise.

All she does is shrug.

For some reason, my mind goes to Noah.

I shake my head, trying to brush away my thoughts of the youngest Kingsley. “No, I don’t think that’s bad at all. It’s…human.”

Kennedy looks thoughtful. “Is there a boy in your life you want to make jealous?”

I’ve got no reason to lie to her. “There is a boy. His name is Noah.” A small smile curls the corners of my lips when I see his face in my mind again. “His family and I are close, so it makes things a little weird between us. Well, that and his girlfriend who hates me.”

She makes a face. “Why would she have reason to hate you?”

I wet my lips and tread carefully with my response. “Because I care about her boyfriend.”

My roommate’s eyelids flutter. “The only reason that’d be a problem is if he cared about you the same way he cares for her.”

Yeah.That would be a problem.

Clearing my throat, I turn back to the little mirror I have set up and finish taking off my makeup. “If you ever need help making your ex jealous, let me know. I’m good at getting people’s attention.”

***

Seeing Dad oncampus turns out to be a common occurrence. Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, when I’m on my way to my composition class, I see him with his favorite travel mug that Wolfe and I bought him years ago for Father’s Day. We smile and wave but usually don’t say anything.

He meant what he said about giving me space, and I appreciate that.

I try reaching out to Dad, Wolfe, and Marybelle as much as I can to check-in. Especially Wolfe, to make sure he’s all set since Dad forgets one too many things. Without me, I worry my brother won’t eat when he needs to or make it places since he still hasn’t gotten his license yet. When I turned sixteen, I wouldn’t stop bothering Dad about taking me to the local DMV for the written test. When Wolfe’s birthday came, he wanted to stay home and play video games of people driving cars instead. And crashing them for points.

Apparently, freedom isn’t high on his to-do list like it always was for me.

Today, when I see Dad from a distance, I decide to take a detour to my class so I can talk to him. He looks surprised when I walk over, but the expression melts into a warmer one when I give him a quick one-armed hug that he returns before I back up.

“Hi,” I greet, looking at the old messenger bag hanging from his shoulder. It’s tattered and stained, and I’m pretty sure one of the zippers is broken. “You seriously need a new bag. That thing is looking sad.”

He says exactly what I expect him to. “It was a present from your mom.”

I let it go for now because I don’t have time before my class for a drawn-out conversation. “I was wondering if you had plans on Thursday? I was thinking we could grab dinner with Wolfe. There’s something I want to talk to him about and could use your backup.”

Concern straightens his posture. “Is everything okay? He hasn’t said anything.”

I readjust my backpack. “Everything is fine. There’s a club expo happening at the high school soon that I think he should go to. I talked to him a couple days ago and he brought it up, but something is holding him back.”

Dad’s brows furrow. “What?”

I let out a breath. “I think he wants to be around for you. Maybe it’s more than that, but you know Wolfe. He likes taking care of people. With me here…”

Understanding has Dad hefting a sigh. “I see. I’ll talk to him. I don’t want you kids thinking you need to stop living your lives to look after me.”

The guilt in his tone makes me feel bad for bringing it up. “We know that. Sometimes I think Wolfe uses it as an excuse to stay home. He’s too young to constantly stay in his room playing video games. He should at least make a friend to play them with or something.”

Dad seems to agree. “And you think this expo might have something he’s interested in?”

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