Page 169 of I Shouldn't Feel This Way

My stepmom knocked twice and then let herself in. “Is everything all right in here?”

So much for knocking.

“Yes, honey, we’re fine.” He released me and turned around.

I scoffed at him and gave Vanessa the evil eye before grabbing my handbag and leaving my bedroom.

“Aria!” he shouted after me. “Come back here!”

I was halfway down the hall when I heard Vienna say, “You okay, kiddo?”

Bad timing, Vi. Very bad timing.I stopped dead in my tracks and slowly turned around. “For the hundredth-fucking-time …” I paused and let my eyes burn right into hers. “Do not—call me—kiddo!”

She appeared shocked by my hostility. Regardless, I marched right up to her and got in her face. “I don’t know why you hate me all of a sudden, but don’t think that I haven’t noticed the way you’ve been giving me dirty looks every chance you get. And to be completely honest, I really don’t like you. So, that being said, have a safe flight, and just know that your next visit here is most unwelcome!”

I’ll admit, I was being destructive, but I didn’t care. I was too hurt and angry to consider Vienna’s feelings. Besides, I could have said much worse.

“Aria!” Noah yelled again, but I was already out the door and soon standing in the garage.

I looked at the Firebird and closed my eyes for a second, exhaling.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

That American engine was like music to my ears as it came to life when I turned the ignition.

In no time at all, I drove away from the house and pulled onto the road. Where was I headed? I had no fucking clue.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

NOAH

I was about to bolt and chase after Aria when my wife grabbed me by the arm.

“Give her some space, Noah. She probably just needs to cool off.”

“She didn’t even tell me where she was going! I’m responsible for her, Nessa!” I opened the door and stepped outside.

“Jessica lives in the area—most likely, Aria’s gone to her place.” She was trying to comfort me, but I couldn’t calm down. I felt so fucked up.

“Why is she so mad at you?” Vanessa asked.

“She’s mad because I forbade her from seeing my brother. The bastard dropped her off in front of the house earlier.” I sighed in frustration.

“Look, give her a couple hours to herself. It’s not even dinnertime yet, she’ll come back. Maybe she’s homesick and acting out.”

Poor Vanessa. She had no idea what was going on between me and Aria. I felt like the world’s biggest asshole because I was technically cheating on my wife and engaging in a wrongful affair with my daughter. Who the hell was I anymore? I didn’t know.

“Come on, sweetie, let’s head inside. Vienna and I are making brownies. I’m sure that’ll cheer her up when she returns.”

Her sweet nature only worsened my guilt.

“Teenage girls are always starving themselves,” Vanessa continued, “striving to look like supermodels. It takes a physical and psychological toll on them. She just needs some sugar in her system, and then she’ll be good as new!”

Vanessa had a long battle with eating disorders, but this certainly wasn’t the case with my daughter. Sugar wasn’t going to fix our problems. I eventually gave up and took my wife’s advice, following her back in the house. I knew I’d have to try to talk with Aria again at a later time, preferably with more privacy. My mind was suddenly flooded with hot images of her standing half naked in front of me. I’d been so tempted to stare when she took off her bra. Looking away didn’t help, because I was still able to see her breasts in my peripheral vision. I should have just turned right around.

Fuck my life. I’m cursed.

“I’ll fix you a drink. It’ll mellow you out.” Vanessa kissed me softly, yet my reluctant lips were having difficulty reciprocating her affection. It didn’t seem to bother her, though. I guess she assumed my aloofness was due to my mood swing.

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