Page 49 of Habits

“Well, he’s not home, so why sleep on the couch?”

“I just hope he doesn’t come in during the night. I don’t think he’ll find it amusing that I’m in here.”

The picture makes both of us laugh out loud.

“If it gives you any peace, I’ll text him and let him know to either find another place to sleep or to crash on the couch when he gets home.”

“Jeanette, I can …”

I lift my hand in the air to stop her. “Not a word. Serves him right anyway.”

“Did you guys have a fight?”

Her words make me stop in my tracks. Brook’s been here for hours. After she took a shower and changed into a clean set of clothes, she joined me in the living room where I have already opened Netflix onTeen Wolf. We were halfway through the first episode when the food came.

We ate watching television in comfortable silence, only commenting on the show and even that rarely. Both of us loved the easy quiet that settled upon us. She didn’t ask unnecessary questions, and neither did I. On some subconscious level, we understood each other.

“Something like that.”

She nods in understanding, although I don’t really think she can understand.

“You know where the bathroom is, and if you need me, I’ll be in my room.”

“Okay.” Brook nods once again, and I leave her to it, closing the door behind me.

Once I get to my room, I grab my pajamas and start toward the bathroom, when the little light on my phone catches my attention.

When Brook got here, I completely forgot about my phone. Worried that maybe Max tried to contact me, I grab it and unlock the screen.

Only it’s not Max’s message that awaits me.

It’s Andrew’s.

Dread washes over me. Swallowing hard, I tap the message and look at it.

Asshole:It’s too late to send your big bro to save your honor now, Princess.

Well, fuck me. Could this get any worse?

Andrew

It’s official. Jeanette Sanders is avoiding me.

Something I should be doing right back if I don’t want to get on Max’s bad side, but I can’t seem to get it into my head.

She’s been through enough. Suffered enough …

The words he told me last week still haunt me. They’re rolling in my mind on repeat, torturing me day and night.

When I don’t hear the words, I can see her in my mind.

Taste her on my lips.

Feel her on the tips of my fingers.

She’s everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

Close yet far away.

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