Dare You to Hate Me

“I just got her back, Dad,” Aiden states firmly, leaving no room for discussion. I have to press my lips together to hide a smile. “If you want me to succeed, you’ll support me even if you don’t agree. I’m not saying I’m going to put a ring on her finger anytime soon.”

My eyes widen as I press my fingers forcefully against my mouth to muffle the noise nearly escaping me.

A tiny breath still releases when he adds, “But that doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about for the future, if she’ll consider it.”

Oh my god.

My mind takes me back to all the notebook covers that had Ivy Ann Griffith written in choppy cursive across the inside. I was always terrified Aiden would find them, so I tore them all up and buried them in the garbage before I left Haven Falls.

It’s Mrs. Griffith who decides to break the tension growing between her boys. “We love you, sweetie, and we’ll have your back no matter what you choose. We always have.”

There’s a sigh that I can only imagine comes from his father. “She’s a good girl. And it’s impressive you both wound up here after all this time.”

Swallowing, I recall the time his parents were talking over a picnic they invited me to. I asked them how they met, and Mr. Griffith got a little smile on his face and said, “We happened to be at the right place at the right time when neither of us should have been.”

It still seems strange that someone as big and burly as Aiden’s dad would believe in something like fate. But I’ll never forget what he said next that held on all these years.

“When you meet the right person, it doesn’t matter what happens because fate will always bring you together.” I remember thinking I wanted someone to look at me like he did his wife, like they couldn’t stop. Like they were always surprised by the person no matter how well they knew them. “But it’s your choices that will make them stay.”

Footsteps stomp up the basement stairs, leaving me wide-eyed and pushing away the memory.

“Ivy?” Porter calls out tiredly. “Aiden?” I turn to see my little brother surfacing at the top of the stairs. One of his hands rubs his eyes as he gives me a sleepy smile. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“I just got up too,” I tell him, not completely lying.

Aiden walks out of the kitchen and over to us, pressing a kiss against my temple and bumping the fist Porter holds out to him. My nose scrunches at the gesture, which they both grin at. “Want some coffee?” Aiden asks, pulling me toward the kitchen.

When I walk in, Mrs. Griffith shoots me a little smile and wink like she used to when she was in on a secret. “Good morning, Ivy. Porter. We were all talking this morning—” Her smile twitches in amusement as she directs the statement at me. “—and Aiden and his father were saying they’d go to the store to get the rest of the Thanksgiving ingredients we need to finish the meal. The turkey is already thawing, I just need some more vegetables and other odds and ends that the boys don’t seem to keep any of around here.”

The tight end whose arm stays wrapped around my waist groans at his mother’s scolding statement. “It’s not like we order delivery every night. We eat here.”

&nbsp

; “That’s because I cook for you guys,” I point out, jabbing his side with my elbow until he drops his arm so I can walk over to the fancy coffee machine that DJ splurged on.

Aiden’s mom sidles up beside me. “I was thinking you and I can make an apple pie together like old times. The recipe hasn’t changed any. Porter can help the boys at the store so we can catch up a little. Have girl talk.”

I can feel the rising tension in my stomach, but not as much as her offspring behind me. “Mom, I think it’d be better if Porter and Ivy spent more time tog—”

“I don’t mind,” my brother says, already perking up over the thought of spending time with Aiden.

When the man is question looks to me for reassurance, I nod. I’ve been wanting to talk to his mom since Friday, but never found the time or courage to say what I felt needed to be said.

Porter and I spent all day yesterday together touring Lindon’s campus, and he pretended to be interested even though I could tell he wasn’t. We wound up at Bea’s where he got to meet Bets and my cheery young coworker, and Lena found a new person to blush over when my brother walked in. Secretly, I’m glad he’ll be going home because I’m not sure how I feel about the two sixteen-year-olds flirting.

Bets welcomed Porter with open arms, looking surprised I hadn’t mentioned having a brother and gave us free drinks and food despite my protests.

It was a good day full of idle conversation that wasn’t too heavy. He likes rap music, has no interest in school, and no idea what he’ll major in at college. His main goal is almost identical to Aiden’s. Play football.

And when I asked if it’s what he wanted to do because he loved it, he gave me a dumfounded look that told me I was ridiculous for thinking he was forced into it. It’s another reminder that our lives are different—he was shown support and even the tiniest bit of decency, where I wasn’t. Even though I blame myself for some of the tension contributed to my downfalls with Mom, I still hold onto the justifications as if they can ease the shame.

When the guys all leave sometime later, I put on an old t-shirt and leggings I pulled from the dresser drawer Aiden gave me a couple weeks ago that I don’t mind getting food on.

“Aiden says that you still bake,” she says, smiling as I coat the counter with flour before placing the ball of dough down and pressing on it with the heel of my palm.

Grabbing a rolling pin she must have brought with her I offer an easy nod. “It calms me down. Plus, it’s the least I could do for the guys since they let me stay here. I’ve learned some new healthier recipes so all the baked goods don’t interfere with their games and training.”

She slices the apples carefully, the sound of the knife against the chopping board somehow peaceful to me, a sound of familiarity minus the bright green kitchen and hot pink stool I’m used to when baking something with her. “The bakery you work at seems lovely. I was surprised when Aiden said you were an undeclared major. I thought you had to claim one after freshman year.”