Page 91 of I Shouldn't Feel This Way

“Yes, and she’s agreed to get some counseling, so I think we’re going to be okay.”

“That’s good. I’m glad.”

I should have been happy for him, but a part of me felt … crestfallen.

A couple of buttons on his shirt were undone, showing a bit of his chest, and it only made me flashback to the night before, when he stood inches away from me, half naked. His body was perfect. I wished I wasn’t so attracted to him. It wasn’t like I enjoyed this—I felt like a slave to the feeling. It was torture.

“Vanessa’s sister will be visiting us soon—in two weeks,” Noah said.

“What’s her name? How old is she?”

“Her name’s Vienna and she’s a year younger than Nessa. She’s nice. I think you’ll like her. She’s not as … um … high maintenance as her sister, but she’s down to earth and funny. We’ll most likely go to the Sunset Festival on your birthday weekend.”

A freaking family outing.Wonderful. But since we were on that topic …

“Do you keep in touch with your family at all?” I asked.

“No.”

I was waiting for him to explain, but he didn’t.

“Why not?” I inquired, stirring my straw around melting ice cubes.

“Because I blame them for interfering with my involvement—or should I say,lack ofinvolvementin your life.” Noah looked at me long and hard. “To be more specific, I blame my mother.”

“Do I have any aunts and uncles?” My mom had never liked to talk about Noah’s family when I was growing up, so I essentially had no clue who else I was related to.

“I have two older siblings. I’m the youngest.”

“What are their names?”

He sighed at me in annoyance.

“What? I’m curious.”

“Isaac and Breanne.”

“Nice names.” I watched his expression, but he gave nothing away. “You don’t talk to them either?”

“No.”

“But why estrange yourself from everybody?”

“I don’t want to discuss it right now, Aria.”

Noah: the authoritarian parent.

“Why are you so edgy?”

“I’m not,” he replied.

“You are.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re scratching the back of your neck.”

“Yeah, so? Is that a crime? I’m itchy.”

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