The Vow (North Woods University 4)

“I don’t understand why you are so pissed about her being here. Did something happen between you two?” Rem interrupts my thoughts.

I don’t even understand why I’m so pissed. What the hell am I going to tell him? That I’m secretly drowning in my own misery because a girl I loved died, but her sister didn’t, and she’s a walking reminder of her.

Ha, no. I’m not ready to talk about this yet. I’m barely ready to recognize it for what it is. So instead of giving him an answer, I ignore his words and stare at the wall blankly.

Rem’s gaze narrows conspicuously, “You aren’t acting like yourself, so whatever it is that’s bothering you so much, it’s not my fault. I wasn’t going to go home and tell Jules that I saw Lily, but I didn’t invite her when I had the chance. That would’ve been a shit thing to do, and we both know it.”

“Whatever,” I shake my head, and shoulder past him. As I enter the living room, all conversation stops. Lily’s gaze drops to her hands, and Jules stares daggers at me like I’ve done something to piss her off.

Great. Less than twenty minutes in their presence, and Lily already has them all hating me.

Shoving down into the other recliner, I look to the TV where Dad has a football game on, I stare at the screen pretending to be immersed in the game.

Pretending like she isn’t even here.

The doorbell rings a moment later, and Dad shoves from his recliner with a groan.

“Don’t get old girls, it’s all downhill from here.”

“Already there,” Jules laughs.

When he reappears, he’s holding four pizza boxes. Everyone gets up all at once, and piles into the kitchen to eat while I remain glued to my seat. My appetite is gone, and even though I know I’m being a party pooper, I can’t seem to let go of the feelings I’m having.

It’s annoying. Infuriating. I should probably just go home, but I can’t do that to Jules. Call me a sadist, but I’d rather suffer through the pain. I spend the rest of the night trying to ignore everybody. Jules seems to have a great time even with me dragging down the party.

Lily sips on her root beer, pretending, just like I am. I can see it, the tension in her face, the way her body is angled away from me. She’s uncomfortable. Good. At least I’m not alone.

Fuck there is something wrong with me.

Lex and Rem continue drinking, guzzling beer down like they’re frat boys, and as much as I would like to join them, I choose not to, I already got drunk the other day. Once a month is plenty for the newly appointed Dean.

“What’s the matter with you, Seb? Why such a sour puss today?” Lex yells from across the room like we aren’t all sitting a few feet from each other. Rem, of course, laughs in his drunken state. I don’t know why but I’ve always been closer to Rem than Lex. Maybe because Lex was gone.

“Maybe he just needs his ass kicked,” Rem chuckles loudly. “A few punches to that noggin will set him right.” My dad shakes his head from where he is sitting but doesn’t say anything. He knows how we get. Us Miller boys are a rowdy bunch, always have been, always will be.

“Okay, you, time to go home,” Jules takes Rem’s hand and pulls him to his feet. She’s tipsy herself but has nothing on Rem and Lex.

“Come on, boys. I’ll drive you home,” Dad announces, getting up from his own seat.

Lex follows suit, and we all get up and walk toward the door. Shit, I’ve done well all night, now all I have to do is drop her off at the dorms, and I’ll be free of her, at least till she shows up somewhere else in my world.

“You guys going to be good?” Jules asks, her eyes slicing through me.

“I only had one beer, and that was two hours ago. I’m fine,” I attest, knowing damn well that’s not what she is talking about.

“You and I are going to have a nice talk next week,” Jules whispers as she leans in to give me a hug. Wrapping my arms around her, I give her a tight squeeze.

“Night, and be good, Rem,” I warn him over Jules’ shoulder before releasing her.

“I’m always good,” he slurs and presses a sloppy kiss to Jules’ forehead as he pulls her into his side. The rest of my family walk out through the kitchen and into the garage, while I head for the front door.

Walking outside, I hear Lily’s soft pitter-patter behind me. I don’t even bother to turn around and look at her. I simply get into the driver’s seat and watch her slide into the passenger’s seat out of the corner of my eye, refusing to look at her straight on.