Chapter 5 Lily
Lily
I blow out a breath as soon as I’m outside walking toward the stalls where my mom is with our horses.
We don’t have a fancy barn, just some stalls and our two horses don’t mind it.
We live close to trails when we want to ride, and my friend Sutton’s in-laws have a ranch that has a large arena they’re always willing to let us use.
It’s actually where I used to take lessons with Jameson’s mom, Emily.
“Hey mom,” I call out, and she smiles widely when she turns to see me. I jog toward her, throwing my arms around her neck in a tight hug.
“Welcome home, my Lily bug.”
I shake my head as we part from our hug. “Mother, I’m an adult,” I tease.
“You will be eighty and still be my Lily bug,” she scolds and I laugh, agreeing easily. “I’m so glad you’re home. Did you see Ethan?”
“Yeah, before he was kidnapped by some perv with a mustache,” I grumble.
She furrows her brow before softening and giving me an unamused look. “I assume you mean Parker.”
I slap my hands over my ears. “Ew, don’t say that word around me.”
“Oh, my daughter, how I’ve missed you so much.”
“So, you know why my ex has a weird friendship with my little brother? Is he stalking me?”
“I’m pretty sure if he was stalking you, he would take a more direct approach.”
I shake my head. “You don’t know, mother, he’s probably playing the long game, and I’ve fallen right into his trap. Do we know who started the fire?”
“Oh hush.” I shrug. She wraps her arm around my shoulder, holding me against her side as we walk slowly back toward the house.
“I’m just saying. Is he going to be around a lot because that might get a little awkward when Aaron gets here.”
My mom tenses but tries to hide it before responding. “When’s he getting here?”
I brush off her initial reaction. “A couple days, he has some stuff to finish up in the city before coming to help Auntie Trish.”
“She’s super thankful, even though you know she probably won’t tell you herself.”
“Sounds about right.” I nod. As soon as we’re inside, we’re greeted by Jerry Lee.
“Hey bitch! Shut up, Vern!”
“How I haven’t missed you, Jerry Lee,” I tell the psychotic bird. “How long is he staying?”
My mom chuckles. “Until the salon is finished again.”
“Great, let’s see what else I can teach you.”
“How about you don’t. Ethan has already asked us what jizz means. You wouldn’t have anything to do with that, would you?”
I gasp. “Absolutely not. Clearly there are other filthy mouths working at that place.”
“Yeah? Who taught him? Trish or Sutton?”
I twist my mouth because neither of them would be guilty of that. That’s all me. Oh well.
“Maybe it’s like his Vern comment.”
“Shut up, Vern!”
I continue, “We don’t know where that came from either.”
“Try to keep it clean around him please. I really don’t want to have your brother asking me about anything else I’m not prepared to answer.”
I scoff. “He’s twelve, he knows more than you think he does.”
“He’s my sweet innocent boy,” she defends.
“And I’m your sweet innocent girl!”
“No, you’re my precious firecracker that I love so much.”
“I feel like I should be offended. We both know I’m your favorite.”
“You’re my favorite daughter.” She nods.
I smile until I fully register what she just said. “Hey, wait.”
“Go get settled. I’m going to wash the horse smell off.”
I groan, and stomp away dramatically because if there’s something about me, it’s that I will never go anywhere quietly. I look at my suitcase still up at the top of the stairs and narrow my eyes at it.
“Yeah, I’ll deal with that later,” I say to myself.
When I get downstairs I go to my room, the light pink walls remain from when I helped my dad paint them when I was younger.
My mom upgraded my bed to a king; the bedding looks new.
The duvet looks soft over the white sheets.
I can’t help but flop down onto the bed and pull out my phone to text the group chat with my two close friends here.
Sutton moved to Amity a couple years ago and ended up marrying one of Parker’s coworkers, Jameson. They’re all cute and shit. She’s pregnant with their first child, and even though I’ve been hounding her to tell me what she’s having, all she says is “human.”
My other friend, Bailey, I met through Sutton.
She’s a lot quieter and is about to move in with her boyfriend who was her neighbor.
Even though they claimed they couldn’t stand each other.
Clearly that’s not the case because I can’t stand Parker and you won’t catch me getting back together with him. Ever.
Lily: Hey bitches! Guess who’s back!
Sutton: Yay! When can we see you?
Lily: Whenever you want, I don’t start my job training for a few more days.
Sutton: I’m sort out of a job at the moment so I’m open too…
Bailey: If either of you want to help out at the Roasted Bean, I won’t say no.
I chuckle, thinking about how much I would likely annoy Bailey if I did take her up on that and help out at the coffee stand she owns.
Sutton: I couldn’t be around all that coffee and not drink it all. I’m “not allowed.” *Eye roll emoji*
Lily: Technically you can have one cup.
Sutton: Oooh I forgot we have a doctor in the group now.
Lily: Ha ha. I’m a nurse, but it is me and I’m smarter than a doctor.
Bailey: I’m sure it’ll give you more crazy stories to tell.
Lily: Nope, can’t share anything because HIPPA. Sorry, ladies, my gossiping days are over.
The bubbles pop up and then go away. Then my screen is flooded with laughing emojis from them both because I know I’ve never been good at holding my tongue.
There are footsteps and a voice I immediately recognize as my brother, but then I realize he’s not alone. And I unfortunately recognize the other voice as well.
My phone dings, and I look down to see a very ill-timed question.
Sutton: Have you seen Parker yet? Or talked to him?
Lily: Unfortunately, yes, but against my will on both.
I hear a small thunk against my door, and narrow my eyes at it. But then I hear them talking about playing some video game. I laugh when Parker scolds Ethan for cussing, then stifle it because I can’t laugh at anything he does.
Laughter makes me weak for him, and I can’t be. He doesn’t get to have me again. I’m with Aaron. I love him; he’ll be here in just a few days. All I have to do is avoid Parker for a couple days. Then stay strong with any other interactions we have from here on out. No big deal.
He’s just my first love, my first kiss, the first man I ever slept with. He’s only the man I thought I would have forever with. I can totally do this.