Page 14 of Sins of a Rebel

My eyebrows dart up. “Who would’ve thought?”

She chuckles. “I know, right? Who would’ve thought I’d ever give that prick a chance?”

“Not me.” I giggle.

“What about you? You and Tysin seemed awfully cozy the other day at their band practice. What’s going on between you two?”

I sigh. It’s been on my mind a lot lately.

I can’t help but notice how hot and cold things are with Tysin. Whenever we are alone, things are perfect. Amazing. I wouldn’t change a thing about our time together.

Only the days after are different.

He’s growing distant, and I’m finding myself wanting to see him more, hoping he’ll message me to sneak away to meet up with him again.

We’ll go days between seeing each other, sometimes without even talking. It’s starting to feel like a roller coaster, and I’m ready to get off.

I knew it wouldn’t be easy, especially when he’s insisting on keeping things between us quiet. I don’t care what my brother thinks about our relationship.

I want to be with Tysin, and sooner or later, he would have to find out.

I kept telling myself maybe if he knew, it would put a stop to the silence. Maybe Tysin would start to warm up to the idea of us being more than we are now.

I didn’t want to be kept a secret forever, and it hurt that he wanted us to be.

A secret.

“I guess it depends on the day you ask me.”

Ivy is a few steps ahead, but when she hears my tone, she taps her foot on the ground to slow her pace.

“Did something happen?”

I chuckle. “That’s the thing. Nothing’s happening. I haven’t seen him in six days. We’ve hardly spoken to each other. I’m trying not to let it get to me, but it’s eating me up inside.”

“Have you tried talking to him about it?”

“No.” I shrug. “I guess I’m trying not to let it get to me. Maybe if I don’t acknowledge it, it’ll be easier to pretend it’s all in my head.”

The sidewalk is thick with pedestrians walking toward the boardwalk. I slow down and step on the end of my board, reaching to carry it with me.

Ivy signals over to the snow cone stand. I nod, following her to wait our turn in line.

I wish I wouldn’t have brought this up. As soon as I voiced my feelings out loud, it’s as if all my fears were turned into reality.

“Hey, Kyla,” a voice shouts from the distance.

I recognize his voice, sending my eyes darting over my shoulder in search of him. He whistles to catch my attention, and I spot Tysin jogging across the street toward us.

There’s a music shop across the way. Madden has mentioned stopping by there a few times. I’m guessing he’s down here picking something up when he saw us standing here.

“Hey.” He releases a heavy breath and nods toward Ivy. “Hey, Ivy.”

“Tysin.” Ivy smirks. “Speak of the rebel.”

His gaze bounces from her over to me, picking up on the hint we were talking about him.

His eyes travel down my body to the white crop top I’m wearing with my denim shorts. They’re a size too big, sitting low on my hips, the edges frayed before he stops on my lavender checkered Vans.

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