Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
JESSICA
“On a scale of one to ten, how much do you think Jasper will regret not inviting me to the homecoming when he sees me in this?”
Emily comes out of the changing room and gives us a little twirl so we can see the dress in question.
It’s hot pink, with tiny straps that hold up the heart-shaped bodice.
The silky material wraps around her every curve, the skirt falling down in a straight line with a slit up the side that gives a glimpse of her leg with every step she takes.
“Eleven!” Amy shoots her a wicked grin. “But forget about Jasper. Who cares about him when there are all the other boys waiting for picking?”
Em nibbles her lip. “Didn’t you say it’ll be just a girls’ night?”
“It is a girls’ night,” Amy insists, a wicked gleam shining in her eyes. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t find some boys to tease.”
Although my sisters were born only eleven months apart, and physically they’re more like twins with their long, dark-brown hair and brown eyes speckled with gold, they couldn’t be more different.
Emily is the calmer and more reserved of the two.
Amy, on the other hand, is loud, opinionated, and completely unapologetic about it.
Some days I envy her that, wishing I were more like her.
Maybe then my life wouldn’t be such a mess.
“Jessy!”
I blink, my sisters’ serious faces coming into focus as I snap out of my thoughts, making me realize I completely spaced out.
“Sorry, what did you say?”
“What do you think of this dress?” Emily asks again. “Good enough to bring Jasper to his knees?”
“It looks lovely, Em. But Amy is right; screw Jasper. It’s his loss if he doesn’t recognize a good thing before he loses it.”
Amy’s hand shoots in my direction, making me flinch back.
“What are you doing?” I protest, shoving her hand away.
“Just checking if you’re running a fever.”
“Why would I be—”
“You never agree with me, so I’m assuming you’re delirious. There’s no other explanation.”
I glare at her, not amused in the least. “Seriously?”
“You know I’m right. No fever, huh?” Amy tilts her head, her lips pursing. “Your cheeks are flushed, though. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“They’re flushed because you’re annoying me. I’m fine. Will you stop this already?”
She finally pulls back. “Okay, okay. I needed to check. Right, Em?”
“I’m not getting in the middle of that,” she mutters, her attention going back to the full-length mirror. “I think I’m going to go for it. Give me two.”
Slipping back into the changing room, she pulls the curtain behind herself. But my gaze stays locked on her, the worry gnawing at me. Emily has a kind heart and gets hurt easily.
“She’s fine.” Amy nudges me with her hip. “Better question is, what’s up with you?”
“Me?” Tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear, I shift my attention to the nearest rack of clothes and start sifting through it. “What are you talking about?”
“Yes, you. You’ve been distracted the whole day. And you haven’t been home in a while.”
I pull out a hanger, eyeing the little black dress before slipping it back in place. It’s not like I have anywhere to wear it. “I’ve just been busy, that’s all.”
Before Amy can say anything, Emily comes out of the changing room, the dress in hand, and we head to the register. I wait for them to pay for their dresses before we make our way out to the street.
“You’re always busy, but that never stopped you before.” Amy’s brown eyes zero in on me, her gaze narrowing as if something just occurred to her. “Is it Damien?”
I open my mouth, but Amy just continues, clearly on a roll.
“You know, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he was bitching at you and telling you that you shouldn’t come home. I seriously don’t know what you see in that guy. Not only is he an asshole, but he’s also mean and controlling.”
“It’s not—” I try to stop her, but it’s useless.
To say my family doesn’t like Damien would be an understatement. And while my parents at least try to pretend, my sisters—Amy specifically—have no qualms telling me just how much they don’t like him.
“He’s such a douche, and you deserve way better. Like, seriously, you’re supposed to be the oldest and smartest, and you don’t see that he doesn’t deserve yo—”
“Amy!” I turn around and stop in her way. “It’s not Damien.”
Her lips part, brows furrowing. “No?”
“No.” I let out a sigh, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear as I think over my next words carefully, although I guess now is as good a time as any. I’m honestly surprised the gossip hasn’t reached them by now. “We broke up.”
My sisters blink a few times, their faces reflecting matching shocked expressions—eyes wide, lips parted, all color drained from their cheeks.
I press my lips together as the silence stretches between us. It kind of reminds me of the quiet before a tornado hits. There is a stillness in the air that’s usually followed by destruction.
Three. Two. On—
“What?”
“How?”
“When?”
“Are you serious?”
I lift my hands in the air, willing them to calm down, as they continue throwing questions at me left and right. “You know, it would help if you’d let me speak if you want to get some answers.”
“Well, will you hurry up and spill the tea already?” Amy demands, shaking her head. “Wait, you’re not changing your mind, are you?”
“What?” My brows pull together in confusion. “Why would I change my mind?”
“I don’t know. It just feels too good to be true.”
Seriously, these girls.
“No.” I give her a pointed look. “I’m not lying. We broke up a few days ago. Things have just… not been working out.”
Amy snorts. “That’s one way of putting it. But, hey, at least you figured it out after a year of us pointing it out, so I guess there is that.”
Emily slaps her over the head. “Seriously, Amy?”
“What?” Amy protests, rubbing the back of her head. “I’m speaking the truth. Nobody liked that guy.”
“He wasn’t that bad,” Emily defends.
“Just like a tick isn’t bad, and yet nobody wants it.”
Em glares at Amy before shifting her attention to me, a small, understanding smile playing on her lips. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine. It’s just been a lot, that’s all. But it’s for the best, really.”
“You can say that again,” Amy mutters under her breath. She quickly turns to Em and points her finger at her before she can hit her again. “You know I’m right. Even you didn’t like him.”
Emily’s cheeks turn pink. “Well, it’s n-not…”
“You told me the last time we saw him he gives you the creeps!”
“It doesn’t even matter,” I sigh, tired of this discussion. “We broke up. The end. Nobody is telling me to stay away from home; I’ve just had a lot on my plate. Now, can we talk about something else, please? Do you two want to grab coffee, or do you need to go?”
The two of them exchange a silent look, but neither of them brings the topic of Damien back up, which I’m grateful for.
Instead, they chat about school, their activities, and homecoming as we stop at the Reading Nook and grab our drinks.
We’re barely there a few minutes when a group of their friends enters the café.
They chat and giggle as they give their friends a peek at the dresses they just bought.
Becky comes out of the kitchen, her gaze going to the girls who’ve taken over the café, a wistful smile playing on her lips as she shifts her attention to me.
“Ever miss these days?”
I look at my sisters, who seem to be immersed in whichever topic they’re discussing with their friends.
“Not really. You?”
“Some days, but life’s good now as well.”
I can see how that might be the case. Some people peaked in high school and live their lives stuck in time; others grow up and build their lives, their futures.
Becky’s been flourishing these past few years.
From getting back together with her high school sweetheart, whom she married, having a baby, and running a successful business.
“Hey, Jess.” I turn around to find Amy and Em standing next to me. “The girls are meeting some more people at the Scoops. You okay if we go with them?”
“Sure.” I pull them both into a hug. “Have fun. Send me the pictures from the homecoming.”
“Or, you know, you could come and help us get ready?” Emily asks hopefully.
“I wish. I’m working that day, so you better be careful of what you’re doing.” I wag my finger at them as a warning. “I don’t want to see you in my ER.”
At that, both girls roll their eyes and groan out a “Yes, Mom.”
“These girls will be the death of me, I swear,” I mutter under my breath, shaking my head as the doors close behind the group, leaving the space in blissful silence.
Becky hums softly. “It comes with having younger siblings.”
Her comment brings the image of Matthew to my mind. That intense look in his eyes. The way his hands felt on my body. That damn light.
He might not have admitted it, but I know he’s the one who installed the automatic light on my porch when I was at work. I don’t need a security system to know it either.
“Tell me about it.”
My gaze darts to the display with all the treats, one of them in particular catching my attention. I bite the inside of my cheek as I debate with myself on what to do, but then decide the hell with it.
“Can I have some of those chocolate brownies?”
“Chocolate brownies?” Becky’s brow quirks up. “Over the cinnamon buns that are your favorite?”
Shit.
I’m so caught.
“Umm… Yeah? I figured I’d try something different.”
Becky scoffs. “You never try anything different. You have your favorites, and you stick with them.”
She grabs a box, then opens the display case and fills it with chocolate treats. “You know whose favorite brownies are, though?” She gives me a pointed look, not even bothering to wait for my answer. “My brother’s.”
Double shit.
My heart pounds rapidly inside my chest as she stares at me intently, my palms turning sweaty with panic.
She knows.
How did she find out already?