Page 112 of Not Dating Material

I roll onto my back and glare up at her. “Why?”

“Because you’re my favorite.”

“You’ve told me I’m out of the will at least weekly since I moved here.”

She laughs like she amuses herself. “You really are a pain in the ass, but even with that …” Aggy walks over, gripping her cane for help, and sits lightly on the edge of my mattress. “When you all moved in here, I thought to myself, now this is either going to be the most obnoxious group of brats I ever met, or I’m going to fall dearly in love with them all.” She chuckles. “Somehow, you were both.”

“Whereas you’re just a brat.”

She pats my shin. “Have been since long before you were born.”

I groan, not liking that she isn’t rising to my disrespect. “What are you doing here?”

“I told you. Keep up.”

“If you’re going to talk about Molly, you can get out. I’m not interested.”

“I’d be lying if I said that man hasn’t stolen all our hearts, but that’s not why I’m here.”

“Then …”

“You’re incredible.”

I eye her, waiting for the “but.” It doesn’t come. “Is that it?”

“You don’t hear it enough. You’re always there for Xander and the rest of my lost boys. You’re the rock in this house. The one they can all count on. Christian can’t stay on his feet, and Gabe sees terrible things at work. Rush, bless his heart, makes me want to throttle him some days. I don’t understand half of what Madden talks about, and my poor Xander is living in a nightmare. And who’s the one who’s always there for them all?”

I swallow thickly but don’t answer.

“You, Seven. You try to hide it, but you love big when people deserve it. I only wish you could see that you deserve it as well.”

“If only the rest of my life wasn’t an example of the complete opposite.”

“The rest of your life is an example of bad people doing bad things. Are you a bad person?”

I snort. “No.”

“And aren’t you in control of your life? Isn’t that what you’re always telling me?”

“I try, but … I didn’t want to do it, Aggy. He could be happy with literally anyone—he’s that type of person. He doesn’t want to be saddled with me.”

She gives me an unimpressed look. “From what he told me, that’s exactly what he wants.”

“Yeah, but—”

“How important is it to you that you’re in control of your life?”

I have no idea what she’s getting at with that question. “Very.”

“Then maybe you should let Molly be in control of his.”

My mouth slams closed. I hate that she has a point.

Aggy grabs my hand and squeezes. “You need to do what’s best for you, Seven. I love you, Molly or no Molly. I’m not here to convince you either way; I just want to remind you that you’re not as worthless as those voices make you feel and I hope that one day, before I die, I get to see you happy.”

And there’s the guilt trip. I sit up and shove her gently. “You almost had me.”

She laughs. “I meant every word.”

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