Page 112 of Return Policy

“Oh, whiskey.” Jake nods his head as the rest of our eyes bounce between him and Elijah. “Just like your big bro.”

“Jake,” Dad says sternly.

“Wouldn’t know…” Elijah clips. “He’s never drank around me.”

Jake huffs out a laugh, and my veins buzz with annoyance. “I find that hard to believe.”

My jaw clenches. “Jacob, a word?”

His eyes glide to mine, softening briefly before he blows out a breath, following me into the kitchen.

The back door clicks shut, and I explode. “What the hell is your problem?”

“What do you mean?” Jake asks.

“Why are you grilling Elijah?”

“I’m just trying to get to know him.”

“Bullshit,” I snap. “You’re being a royal asshole.”

He spins around, leaning against the counter, and folds his arms over his chest. “All I’m doing is trying to get to know the guy who’s dating my baby sister.”

“By grilling him like you’re a cop and he just stole the last donut?”

Jake releases a breathy laugh. “I’m trying to make sure he’s good enough for you.”

“Sorry, but that’smycall, not yours.”

“You need to realize what you’re getting yourself into… His brother’s bad news, Soph.”

“Are you suggesting I don’t date Elijah because of who he’s related to?” I scoff in disbelief. “A bit hypocritical, don’t you think? Imagine if Leah didn’t want to date you because Mom’s a fucking convicted drug addict.”

“Mom’s done her time, and she’s changed. She’s not like that anymore,” he says defensively.

“Oh, sorry, did I offend the mama’s boy?” I bark back.

“Really, Soph? This isn’t about me.”

“It kinda seems like it is about you, actually.”

“I just wish you would have at least talked to me before you decided to start dating him.”

“Sorry, but you lost the right to comment on my love life when you abandoned me at ten years old!” I throw my arms out in front of me. “I needed you too, you know? And you just left me here all alone.”

“Soph.” He tilts his head to the side. “I didn’t leaveyou.I left Longwood. It was just… too painful. After Mom and Chloe… and Leah. It was all just too much.”

“Well, how do you think I felt?!” I scream at him. “You got to run away, and I had to walk by her fucking bedroom every day for eight years until I left for college. I had to stare at her half-used body wash that was still in the shower for months because I couldn’t bear to throw it away. I found tiny fingerprints from clay-covered hands all over our house for years after she died.Years,Jake!” I shake my head at the excruciating memory. “I had to blare my music in our empty ass house that used to be full of all the people I loved because the silence was fucking deafening!”

“Sophia, I’m sor—”

“I was here!” My pointer finger stabs painfully into my chest. “I had to handle everything by myself. Our mom was in jail, Chloe died, and you just… left.”

“Soph, please,” he begs, stepping toward me, and I shift back.

“Leah and Dad are theonlyones who’veneverleft me.” I glare at him. “So iftheywant to comment on my love life, I’ll be happy to hear it. But. Don’t. You. Fucking. Dare try to stroll back in here, playing the part of the overprotective big brother when you barely even know the real me anymore.” I don’t realize I’m crying until my vision is so blurred I can’t see. I know my words hurt him, but they’re the truth. My breathing is sporadic as I clutch my hands on the edge of the kitchen island.

The back door opens, and Elijah walks in, eyes full of worry connecting with mine.

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