Chapter 17 Lily
Lily
The only other breakup I’ve gone through was with Parker.
And that wasn’t even bad. We parted ways when I left for college, and it didn’t even feel like a full break up since we were still on good terms. I thought we would end up together, that’s why I came back to town only a couple months later with the intention to get him back.
Instead, I saw him with someone else already and that was it. I didn’t make a scene, didn’t yell or scream at him. I just left and took the mature way out. Ignored him mostly and be annoyed when I’ve had to be around him.
This is different. I asked Aaron what he thought about moving to Amity, and he lost it. Like fully lost it. He screamed at me about how much he hates it here. How stupid I am to want to stay. How he’d rather be homeless on the streets of San Francisco than be stuck here.
And has the audacity to call me dramatic.
I’ve never been scared of him before. He would make comments but never yelled at me like that. I froze, I didn’t know what to do.
After everything that happened, I end up going over to Sutton’s house for a little while. I tell her what happened, we hang out, and it’s the exactly distraction I need before going back home.
No one else is home, and as soon as I’m in the comfort of my own room I sit on the bed, and the tears come back full force. Everything hits me at once, and I can’t seem to stop them.
The door swings open, and my eyes shoot up, hoping it’s Parker. I don’t even have time to unpack that impulsive thought because it’s not him. Aaron stands there, nose bandaged and bruises already forming under his eyes.
The thing is, I don’t even feel bad seeing him like this. I’m glad Parker punched him because he deserved it.
He doesn’t even say anything to me, just moves into the room and grabs his suitcase. He starts tossing his clothes into it. All I can do is watch.
I open and shut my mouth several times before finally managing to make words come out. “I take it you’re leaving.”
“What the fuck do you think, Lily?” I flinch at his tone. “Either you’re coming with me, or we’re done.”
I actually bite back a laugh. “You think I’d come with you after that?”
“If you knew what was good for you, that’s exactly what you’d do.”
“Guess I don’t know what’s good for me, then.” I shake my head.
“Fine. Enjoy rotting in this place. Don’t think I’ll take you back when you come crawling.”
“I wouldn’t go back to you if my life depended on it. Get the fuck out of my parents’ house.”
“Don’t worry, I’m gone. No need to call over your guard dog,” he spits.
“Parker isn’t my guard dog, but I sure as shit wouldn’t stop him from punching you in the face again. Get out!”
He zips his suitcase up aggressively, pulling it behind him. “You’re not as special as you think you are.”
He leaves, but he’s delusional if he thinks he’s about to have the last word.
“And you’re not as good in bed as you think you are. In fact, you suck!”
I slam the door, fuming. I should’ve told him none of the tears I was shedding were for him. He doesn’t deserve them. They were for myself because I’m sad I wasted so much time with him. All because I wanted to prove to myself that I could move on from Parker.
But I’m never doing that again. The next guy I’m with will have to be amazing. No, more than amazing because I know what I deserve and I know what it’s like when someone doesn’t treat me the way I deserve.
I know exactly how I’m going to celebrate my breakup. Because there’s no being sad. Tomorrow. Because it’s a new day and I’m going to wake up a new bitch with all of this behind me.
The next morning, I wait to be hit with a wave of sadness. I wait for the pang in my chest to start that makes me curl up in a ball and cry until I can’t take it anymore. I wait for the reality of everything that happened yesterday to hit me.
But nothing happens. I feel oddly…calm.
More than that, I feel ready to do one thing I’ve wanted for awhile.
Lily: I’ve heard Wes has some connections at the animal shelter.
Bailey: He does. And I think there’s someone there you’d really like to meet.
Lily: I swear if this is another way to try and get Parker and me together…Aaron and I just broke up and I’m swearing off men forever.
Bailey: I’m sorry.
Lily: No you’re not.
Bailey: I am if you’re sad about it.
Bailey: Good news for you, I’m not talking about Parker. Or any man. We’ll meet you at the shelter later this afternoon.
Lily: I’ll be there.
I head upstairs, and am immediately greeted by Jerry Lee as usual, “Hi bitch!”
“Hey bitch,” I greet back cheerfully, then make my coffee while he barks at me.
There’s a note on the fridge from my mom that she and Ethan went to the grocery store. I take my coffee toward the basement and see my dad sitting in his chair in the living room on his tablet. I jump because he’s so quiet.
“How long have you been sitting there?”
“Long enough that you ignored me when you came up here,” he teases.
“You didn’t say anything either.”
“How’re you doing, kiddo?”
I take a seat on the couch, tucking my legs under me and cradling my coffee. “I’m not a kiddo anymore.”
“You’ve always been my kiddo, and you always will be.”
“Ethan can be your kiddo.”
“You’re diverting.”
“Is it working?” I smile.
“Not even a little bit. How’re you doing?” he asks again and I slump back against the couch.
“Is it weird if I say I’m okay?”
“Do you think it’s weird if you say you’re okay?” he questions.
“Didn’t realize you’re a therapist,” I murmur.
“Not a therapist, just your dad.”
I love my dad, he’s generally quiet, unlike the rest of us. I think he likes that we’re all loud and outgoing so he doesn’t have to be. He can just be along for the ride.
“Did you like Aaron?” I ask.
He doesn’t respond right away, and I feel like that’s my answer. I sigh, but then he speaks.
“If you loved him and he made you happy, then I was happy for you.”
“That’s a no.”
“That’s, I want the best for my daughter.”
“Because I’m your favorite, huh?” I joke.
“You’re my favorite daughter.”
“Mom already tried that one.”
“Great minds think alike. Have you spoken to Aaron?”
I sigh, they know what went down. Ethan told them a version that was exaggerated, but made Parker look like a damn superhero. I told them the slightly more realistic version.
“No. There’s nothing left to say,” I say firmly. “He made it clear how he feels about me, and where I want to be.”
“I’m glad you know your worth.”
“Asshole Aaron!” Jerry Lee squawks.
“Well, we all know how Jerry Lee felt about him,” I joke.
“The bird is smart,” my dad says, and it’s as close as I’ll get him to admit that he didn’t like Aaron.
I stand up. “Alright, well, I’m glad we did this. I’m going to get a dog, so I’ll see you later.”
“Hold on, whoa, what? In my house? You didn’t think to ask your mom and me about it first?”
“Nope, like you said, I’m your favorite daughter.” I wrap my arms around him in an awkward hug because he’s still sitting in his recliner. “Plus, you both love animals.”
“Does that mean you’ll be finding your own place soon or…” His voice trails off.
I have been thinking about it, especially since it looks like I’m definitely staying. “Yeah, I will be.”
He nods. “Lily bug?”
“Hm?”
“I’m glad you’re back.”
“Love ya, dad.”
“Love ya too, kiddo.”