Because It's You (Carolina Rebels 2)

rd. “See you guys later.”

“Bye, y’all.” When we’re outside of their apartment, I look over at him. “What was that?”

“What was what?”

“That thing with Meredith? Why didn’t you just kiss her cheek like usual? She probably thinks I made you stop!” Now that I think about it. “You made it awkward and weird. What the hell?”

He shrugs as we step into the elevator. “It irks Noah, and I’d want to break his arm if he kissed your cheek, and I just happened to think about that at that moment. My days of that are over. She’ll get hugs in the future. Seems like better karma. I’ll just annoy him by reminding him I’m her favorite. Besides, it doesn’t bother you at all?”

I shake my head. “Never did, because it’s not like you wanted to actually kiss her. It seemed like a family kind of thing, like when boys kiss their moms on the cheek before they leave. That’s what it reminded me of.”

“I don’t know why that makes me unhappy to hear.” He opens the door and I climb into the truck.

Once he’s in the truck, I reply, “I don’t know why either; I’m not the one you want to annoy. Hey, what did Scott say when you told him you were moving in?”

His hands tighten on the steering wheel. “One minute, he seems happy for you and the next, he thinks it’s because you’re terrified to be alone and not because you want me there.”

I scoff. “He wouldn’t know because he hasn’t called me.”

“That’s my fault.”

I angle in my seat toward him. “What are you talking about?”

“You said you wanted to move on, right? I told Scott that unless he could call and ask nothing more about it than if you’re okay, then to not call you. Plus, he’s upset that you’re pissed with Sylvia over that thing with your parents, and I told him to give you space.”

“Don’t do that, Marc. Don’t try to deal with things for me. It’s been bothering the hell out of me that he hadn’t called me, and come to find out, it was because he was ordered not to! I mean, I’m glad you did for those reasons, but tell me next time or ask me.” I pull out my phone and dial Scott.

“Lizzy, hey,” he answers with surprise.

“I’m okay, but I wanted to talk to you because I always at least hear from you when something happens.”

“I’m sorry. I was trying to do what Marc said because I’ve been having a hard time wrapping my head around it.”

“Yeah, I bet,” I reply softly.

“I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Me too.”

We’re quiet for a moment when he says, “Is your fight with Sylvia still off limits?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Can I just say one thing?”

“What?” I ask, even though I don’t want to.

“Your parents haven’t reached out because they know they were wrong and they don’t know how to fix it or how receptive you would be.”

I snort. “They could’ve answered a phone call when the girls were two and they had been seeing them for a year and a half. They didn’t have to reach out, Scott, because I did back then, so that’s bullshit.”

“I didn’t know that.” He sighs. “Just find a way to forgive Sylvia, okay? She thought this would eventually help you. She did it for you more than anyone else.”

“Didn’t ask her to. We’re almost home, and we have things to do, so I’ll talk to you later. Love you, bye.” I hang up real fast. Forgiving Sylvia will be easy. As for my parents? I don’t know. That will take more thinking and digesting before I can think about my next possible move with them. I’ve been this long without talking to them; I can go longer.

Marc pulls into the driveway, turns the truck off, but makes no move to get out. “Still want to unpack? Or are you having second thoughts already?”

“No second thoughts. Let’s get you settled in.”