So wrong.
The tears come and I squeeze my eyes shut, tuning out Beck when he asks what’s for dinner, all while he sits there shoveling cereal in his mouth. His words grow distant and all I can see is Eli’s face. All I can hear is Eli’s voice when he told me we were done. Finished. Over.
That was the first conversation we had. The second one was even worse. I can barely stand to remember it.
I called him one more time in the hopes we could talk about me leaving like two rational adults, but he told me there was no point. He accused me of leaving him behind and never discussing my choice with him in the first place. My mind was already made up.
Well, now his was too.
My phone buzzes and I check it. It’s a text from my big brother.
Jake: I hope you’re okay. And if you need me to kick a certain someone’s ass, I’m down. Just let me know when and I’ll take care of him.
A smile teases the corner of my lips and I send him a response.
Me: Don’t bother. He’s not worth the trouble.
Jake: Look at you, pretending you’re already over Bennett. Give me a break, sis.
He knows me too well.
Me: I appreciate the support. I’m going to miss you.
Jake: I’ll miss you too. Be safe over there. Love you.
Me: I love you too, Jakey.
I send him a string of heart emojis.
He sends me a couple of eye roll emojis in return. He doesn’t like it when I call him Jakey.
“We’re here!” a voice suddenly yells from behind me.
My eyes fly open, and I swivel on the stool to find my big sister entering the kitchen from the garage, her gorgeous fiancé, Ash Davis, standing directly behind her with a wary expression on his face when he spots me.
Crying women have always freaked him out.
“Autumn!” I squeal as I lunge for her, delivering such a brutal tackle hug that she literally flies backward. I tighten my arms around her, so she doesn’t fall, crying into her hair as I squeeze her tightly.
She pats me on the back, her voice muffled. “There, there, baby sister. Tell me where he’s at so I can murder him in his sleep.”
We used to fight a lot when we were younger. I just wanted her to like me and she wanted me to leave her alone. Our age difference was too great at the time, but now, Autumn is my right hand. My go-to. She will defend me to the bitter end, even if I’m wrong. Even if she doesn’t agree with whatever I’m doing. She’ll stand by me and take care of me, no matter what.
I would do the same for her, no questions asked.
“He’s at his apartment,” I tell her, my voice soft.
My sister pulls away from me, the look on her face nothing short of furious. “Let’s go then.”
“Autumn—” Mom starts.
“Mom, I’m serious. We need to go kick Eli’s ass,” Autumn says firmly.
Ash exits the kitchen as fast as humanly possible. So does Beck.
“But I don’t want to kick his ass,” I say, hating how whiny I sound.
Why do my siblings want to beat Eli up so much? I guess I should take it as a compliment. They’re only watching out for me.