Page 78 of After All This Time

"As do you," he counters.

"Yeah, and watching you be the zero-fucks-given guy you are has helped me. Over the years, it's pulled me out of myself a little. Made me care less about what people think."

"So, basically, I'm your idol," he says, tilting his head and watching for my reaction.

"You want me to call you my brother again?" I fire back at him.

"Fuck no." The pure horror on his face sets me off laughing. "What about you? Are you ready to be smothered by your mom?"

"I've thought a lot about whether I want to breathe without being asked why or how I'm doing it this weekend, and I'm not sure the choice will be mine."

"Well, if you ever need someone to sneak off with, then I'm your guy."

"You've always been that guy."

"And you've always come with me," he says, his voice softening unexpectedly, like the thought had never occurred to him before now.

Of course I followed him. I always did. Tobias wanted me there, and I never needed much convincing. As much as he hates being around our family and their constant judgment, he hates being alone even more, and I would never leave him to face that on his own.

"I give it twenty minutes before you escape from the party tonight," I say, trying to steer the conversation somewhere lighter.

"You're giving me way too much credit, Mills."

"Okay, ten minutes," I counter, glancing his way with a smirk. "And that's only if the women let you go in one piece."

"Ah, the cougars." He groans, throwing his head back dramatically. "How could I forget?"

"I don't know, considering you always end up with one of them in your bed by the end of the night," I fire back, enjoying the way his head snaps toward me. He's trying to unravel me, but I keep my eyes on the road, refusing to give him anything more.

"That's not exactly in my plan tonight, Firefly."

I say nothing but continue to drive, and as soon as the turnoff comes into view, I welcome it like a lifeline. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can get this over with.

Chapter 30

Amelia

AMELIA

I've just arrived in hell. I can't believe you're not here this weekend. Bad friend points go to you. Not really. I'm sorry your grandma is sick, and I understand why you had to go see her with your mom. love you xx

I quickly fire off a text to Allison before stepping out of the car. The house towers before us, obnoxiously grand, like it's trying too hard to prove something. Sprawling white columns, hedges trimmed within an inch of their lives, and a front door so massive it could double as the gates to a castle. It's the kind of house that doesn't whisper wealth and status—it screams out a loud, unapologetic"Look at how important we are."

Tobias slams the car door shut, and we both stand there for a moment, taking it all in. I tuck my phone into my pocket, turning to look at him. His shoulders are stiff, his jaw locked like he'sphysically restraining himself from turning around and driving back to Chicago. Honestly, I get it. If it wouldn't make things worse, I'd turn around and leave too.

We take a breath together, one last inhale of freedom, before forcing ourselves to move.

At the front door, I pause and glance at him. His lips twitch—not quite a smile, but just enough to say he's wishing he were anywhere else too.

"Ready?" I ask, though the word is more for my benefit than his.

"Not even close."

I swallow hard, already wishing I was back in Chicago, and with one last look at Tobias, I press the doorbell.

It only takes a few seconds for the door to swing open, and there she is—my mom, perfectly put together as always. Her dark hair is styled into an elegant chignon, and her yellow dress is so bright it practically glows.

"You're finally here." Her voice does that thing where it's both relieved and annoyed, like we're exactly on time and three hours late all at once.

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