Page 10 of Return Policy

3

SOPHIA

“I still can’t believe Jake comes home for the first time in eight years and gets arrested after three days.” I chuckle. “It’s almost comical.”

Dad’s jaw tightens, the corner of his mouth curving upward as he shakes his head. “Don’t turn Jake’s arrest into a joke.”

“Itisa joke, Dad.” I roll my eyes. “He shouldn’t have been arrested in the first place.”

“Yeah… you’re right about that.”

My eyes fly to him with amusement at his admission. “So was it really all over a stupid high school thing?” I ask, probing for more information since Leah was cagey as fuck this morning while we waited for Jake to get released. After he was, I insisted she and Jake ride together back to the house. I wanted them to have alone time, but I also wanted to nag Dad for a little more info on the ridiculous events of the morning.

“Honestly?” Dad readjusts his grip on the steering wheel. “I’m not sure what the actualcauseof it was.” I deflate in my seat like a latex balloon at the lack of breaking news. “It doesn’t even surprise me Cole arrested your brother… But it’s Jake’s fault for losing his cool,” he says, switching to full-on Dad mode. “Jake let Cole get in his head and reacted in a way you can’t ever react around the police.” His eyes flick to mine, leveling me with a look that saysnever do what he did. “Luckily for your brother, Cole was drinking on the job, allowing me to get the charges dropped.”

“He was what?” I gawk.

“Yep.” His jaw ticks as he focuses on the road. “Chief Danvers was rather cooperative after I shared that piece of information about his son…”

“Why don’t you like Cole’s dad?” I ask, knowing he’d told Leah as much.

“You’re being awfully nosy.”

I throw a hand over my chest. “How is it nosy to know my family's enemies?” Dad chuckles. “Ifyouhate the Danvers,Ihate the Danvers. I’m just curious why.”

“He’s just a liar and a cheat.” My lips flatten, unsure what to say. “So how was the celebration at the springs yesterday?”

“It was good…” I certainly didn’t meet up with a random stranger in the woods and spill half my life story. And I certainly don’t haveanyfeelings about not even getting his stupid name.Why should I?

“Glad to hear it.”

“How was your… date?” I ask with an awkward eyebrow waggle. It’s weird knowing he’s dating again but considering he and Mom have been divorced for over six years, I guess it was time.

“It was nice,” he says with a smile.

“Good.” I shift in my seat, looking toward him. “And Dad?”

“Yeah, Bear?”

“I’m happy if you’re happy.” He blows out a heavy breath. “I mean it.”

A wide smile spreads across his face. “Thanks.”

We ride in comfortable silence and a few minutes later, my phone vibrates in my lap. I flip it over, and my stomach sinks to the center of the earth.

SETH

SETH

Who the fuck was that guy you were with last night?

My veins buzz with anxious energy, the same way they always do when I hear from him. It’s becoming less frequent, thankfully, and I can’t wait until we’re off at college where I don’t have to worry about him showing up at my house if I block him.

Seth

Answer me, Sophia. Who was he?

I roll my eyes, clenching my jaw as I stare out the window at the buildings passing by. I contemplate if I should leave him on read but ultimately decide on a half-truth, hoping it will satisfy his curiosity enough that he’ll leave me alone.

---