You're one to talk, Mom. From what I heard, y

was already a mother. I didn't drink all the alco

n college," Dad chimes in, his ey

Chad and I laugh, dropping our heads back

looking just as bad as I feel. The only difference is that she is still wearing

ting to my feet and grabbing my keys. Lauren flips me off since our paren

ers to the bakery. Could you drop them there for me?" Mom gets up a

ur

ays? I can go with

f you're

t. He said he'd prepare it for me since I won't have time to coo

ns us and grabs the remaining containers before we head to my car. It was Dad's before he got his new truck, but I'm so attached to it that even though it's old a

t it is not an uncomfortable silence. I know Chad is not judging me for what happened. He told m

finally say, my voice so l

me, but I keep mine

t I appreciate you opening up to me. We've never talked about it, and I res

you for being such a good brother to me, and a good friend to Spencer. I know it wasn't

dhearted? You should be blaming me for keeping my frien

and parking in front of it. "What can I

ou if you stayed on my ex's sid

While we're closing the door, two women who work at the city hall pass b

of them says cheerfully. "I wonder what made hi

kins girl must be devastated. I heard he took a date to

to us. The look on their faces is laughable when

ast night. Congratulations!" Mrs. Hudson mutters, evide

n gossip, but catching someone off guard is always so much fun. "

ead back to the car. The two women leave i

ss," Chad murmurs whe

of it, waiting for Chad to run inside and grab Mom's chic

his gossiping," Chad complains as

d?" I ask, dr

eturn. Like...why do they care? It's no one's

t have the chance to ask Chad about it, and now seems like a good moment. "What is the deal with him r

lf away. I know he's probably thinking I'm interested in Spencer's life, but truth be told, I'm rea

e'll keep working from here while trying to sta

tone. Not that I don't think Spencer can do it, but only because I never

had points out. "I don't see why it wouldn't w

.." I c

ompletely different city, away from everyone I loved, to start anew. I wasn't brave enough to do it, and honestly, I wouldn't change

e words sound too inquisitive f

s throat before answering me. "Well, I think Millie is what w

uspicious.

these things?" Chad r

"What? I'm just curious. What's the big deal? Yo

Why are you so interested in what he's doi

s, frustration

e making a big deal out of this," I sn

his fingers through his hair, equally irritated. "It was an honest quest

nt to tell him he couldn't be more wrong, that not even in a million years, and if the salvation

ithin me holds my tongue, p

would be the stupidest mistake I cou

Chad utters in a whisper, his voi

want is to be away from Chad and his judgmental remarks. I know he's not

ys.

nched teeth. "Don't you dare speak abo

y. I can keep lying to myself. I can tell him, and whoever else wants to hear it, that

seeing him for the first time in years. They knew it'd hit me hard and make me realize that al

urts like a p

not in love with him anymore,

now

ryone else aroun