You’re pathetic, Rae.
Despite the fact that Clint’s apartment was the first place we hit, Michael didn’t stop there. I pulled my head upright from the window and gazed out the windshield. Watching as Clint slowly looked over at Michael.
“You missed my--”
“I know,” Michael said plainly.
I looked over at Allison and she sighed.
He’s taking me home first.
It shouldn’t have shocked me. In some ways, it didn’t. It just… hurt. Then again, I deserved it after what I pulled. Michael picked up the pace. Raced down streets doing fifteen over before turning into the opening of my neighborhood. He couldn't get there fast enough, and it made my stomach sink.
“Home sweet home,” Michael said flatly.
I opened my door. “Thanks for the ride.”
He didn't answer as I climbed out.
I quickly gathered my things from his trunk and turned around. I said goodbye to Allison with a soft hug as Michael threw the car into reverse, backing down the driveway before we even let go.
“Michael!” she exclaimed.
I dropped my things in the driveway. I watched Allison struggle to get the door closed. I saw Clint wave at me through the windshield before he looked over at the wild man driving. The tinted windows quickly covered their faces the further back they pulled away from me. And as Michael sped down the road, his tires skidded on the pavement.
“Rae?”
Mom’s voice pulled me out of my trance and I felt myself tense up. I closed my eyes and picked up my things, then headed for the porch. The worry on her face made me sick to my stomach. Fucking hell, would I really have to talk about this with her? I didn’t want to. The only person I wanted to speak with was Clint.
Then Michael.
But certainly not my mother.
“Come on. Here. Let me help.”
I pulled myself away. “I’v
e got it, Mom.”
She pulled my suitcase from my hand. “No, you don’t. And that’s okay sometimes.”
I snickered before I dropped my things near the staircase. I walked into the kitchen and headed straight for the fridge. I pulled out a soda and cracked it open, then found my space at the table in the corner.
I dropped down and guzzled it until the pain of the carbonation took over the pain I felt in my chest.
“So the weekend went that well, huh?”
I set my soda can down as Mom sat beside me.
“I really don’t want to talk about it.”
Mom shrugged. “Well, too bad.”
I rolled my eyes. “Great.”
“Hey, I know you. I raised you. And I know that the more bothered and stressed you become, the more you lock up. The more you shut people out. Which does no one any good.”
I shrugged. “Doesn’t matter anymore.”