Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
I said, “I am sorry, you know? Not about what I did because I stand by my decision, but about all the hurt you felt.”
“I’m sorry too. For blaming you so much,” he said, and I exhaled roughly. “I’m trying to get over it. But it might take some time.”
“Suppose that’s all I can ask.”
As we arrived in San Luco, I could breathe easier. I felt so much relief—at least about my family situation. I had missed my brother so fucking much. But I understood we’d need to go slow.
“What are you gonna do about Alex?” he asked. “Looks like you ruined shit again.”
“I don’t know, and fuck you,” I replied, and Bailey laughed. Actually laughed. Damn, I hadn’t heard that directed at me in so long.
“Do you care about him—like, really care about him?” he asked as I pulled into a parking space on the street near my place. They were a commodity, so I was glad to snatch one this time.
“Yeah, I do. Very much.” I turned off the ignition. “I wasn’t trying to. It just happened. I don’t ever want to be in Mom’s position.”
“Alex would never do that to you—or anyone,” Bailey hissed.
I shrugged. “Maybe that’s what Mom thought about Dad early on.”
“Somehow, I don’t think so. And that’s a lesson for me too, about warning signs.”
“Dad may be awful in the relationship department, but he’s shown up for you and your swim meets. You have a lot in common and would probably enjoy working in his company after you earn your degree. People disappoint us all the time. We just gotta learn to protect ourselves better.”
Bailey arched an eyebrow. “Maybe you protect yourself a little too well.”
I winced. “Maybe I do.”
“You don’t need to shield yourself from Alex. He’s a great person and friend.” He pulled his bag off the floor. “You’re good together. That much is obvious.”
“Is this your way of officially giving us your blessing?”
If there even was an us. I swallowed down the lump in my throat.
“Guess so, asshole.” He pushed open the door. “So don’t fuck it up.”
26
Alex
“I’m sorry.” Those were the first words out of Bailey’s mouth when he got back to the dorm Saturday morning. No lie, I’d been pacing the room, wondering if I’d done the right thing by leaving those two idiots to work out their problems themselves. “I’ll try harder to be a better friend.”
“You are a good friend.” I sighed, plopping down on my bed. “But when it comes to your relationship with your brother—”
“I know. We finally talked about shit,” he said, and my jaw dropped. I knew leaving might force them to carpool together. Did I think they’d talk? Not really. So it took me by surprise to hear they actually did. “I was afraid to see the truth about my dad. And about my parents’ marriage.” He deposited his backpack on the floor, his shoulders slouching like his bag had been the burden instead of his own hang-ups. “Because it was too painful.”
“I know, and I’m sorry.” I frowned. “But I’m so relieved you talked.”
“It helped to ask Mom some stuff too. Puts things in perspective.” He sank down against his pillow. “I didn’t meet my dad last night. I just…needed time.”
Damn, that was huge for him. He never passed up those opportunities.
“So, what now?”
He shrugged. “I won’t ever stop wanting a relationship with my dad. But I need to accept some things about him and our family.”
I thumped his shoulder. “I’m here for you.”
His mouth stretched into a smile. “I know.”
“And what about Remy?” My stomach churned.
“Besides the fact that he’s crazy about you but too afraid to do anything about it?”
“I…I’m not sure about that. Besides, I probably freaked him out with the whole speech and shit.”
“Maybe a little because he’s a brooding idiot.” He cracked a smile as if the insult was said out of affection this time instead of anger. “But I know my brother, even if I’ve ignored him the past couple of years.”
I shook my head, not wanting to get my hopes up about anything.
“I swear to God, if he hurts you, I’ll kick his ass.”
“No need. We’re consenting adults who agreed to this arrangement. It is what it is.” I rubbed at the stitch in my chest. “In the end, I still want to be his friend.”
He sighed. “Looks like it’ll be one day at a time for both of us where Remy is concerned.”
“So, he’s no longer the bad guy?”
“I’m getting there. I know he didn’t mean to ruin our family.” Relief flooded through me. “My dad did it all on his own.”
His face crumpled a little, and my heart went out to him. “You’ve got plenty of people in your corner to help you through—me, Danica…” Danica was patient and listened to him. With any luck, he could confide in her about his family situation and count on her support. Hopefully, he could lean on his brother as well, the way it should’ve always been. “Remy too.”