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“I missed a few chapters.” Sally’s siblings now stand in front of us with only a little kitchen island separating the group.
“I have a good idea since I could hear y’all last night,” Leon says.
Heat creeps up Sally’s neck, practically making her pale skin tone as red as a strawberry.
“I also heard some crying, so…” Leon trails off.
“Crying?” Ella fixes a look on Sally with apparent concern. “Sal?”
The cool expression Sally carried into the conversation is now gone with her whole body stiffening. She must really love the designs on her mug because she hasn’t looked up yet.
I wrap an arm around her waist, and with the contact, she instantly starts to relax and leans her body into me. This all feels so natural, and I love it.
All her siblings have their eyes trained on their sister, who is still studying her mug of coffee.
“Sally,” Mimi’s voice comes out soft but with an edge. “You can talk to us.”
“Is he the reason you cried?” Ella sneers, shifting her eyes into a glare at me.
“No!” That accusation breaks Sally’s silence. “Oliver is the reason I’m feeling better.”
My hold on her waist tightens at her words. A light warmth rises in my chest.
I want to kiss her again, even if it’s in front of her siblings. I want to have her soft lips on mine always.
“I just…” Sally stops and looks up at me. I give her a nod of reassurance. This is her story to tell. “I was revisiting some things that happened junior year.”
Sally nervously works through the same events she told me about. You’d think hearing it a second time would dull the rage in me, but nope. I don’t think my hatred for the man that made her feel broken will ever dwindle.
All her siblings have a different reaction. Mimi’s eyes well with tears. She keeps inching forward, looking for any sign she can pull Sally out of my hold and into a hug, but she doesn’t. Leon looks grossed out, and Ella has a murderous look that mirrors mine.
“I can’t believe I’m friends with his brother.” Leon makes a gagging noise.
Wait, they know who she’s talking about?
“Leon, I don’t want you to be mad at Jeremy. He’s sweet.” Sally tries her best to smile.
“That explains the way you reacted when you picked me up from school.”
This causes Sally to hang her head again. “You’ve always been more popular than me, so it makes sense you’d all hang out.”
“Fuck that!”
Sally winces, and Leon gives her an apologetic look, but I love the fire in his eyes.
After another moment of frowning, Mimi asks, “What do you need from us?”
Sally looks around the room nervously for a second before mumbling, “Can I be alone?”
My grip on her loosens, but her hand shoots to my jeans, taking one of the belt loops into her finger.
“Not you.”
Her siblings nod, trying to hide their frowns, as Mimi leaves to go to the cafe and Leon and Ella leave the room.
“How are you feeling?” I take the cup from her hands and place it on the counter.
Sally’s eyes drop to the floor. I take this chance to slip out in front of her. We’re basically chest to chest.
