Page 63 of A Good Book

“Open this door right now!” Alan banged on the door. “Where’s a paperclip?” he asked Tillie, face red, and fists clenched.

“No,” I said, fixing my hair. “I’m fine.” I wiped the tears from my face and tried to find a smile to convey that I was okay, even though I was far from it. “I shouldn’t have gone in there. It was my fault.” My voice shook. “Please, just let him be like I should have done.”

Alan’s rigid posture relaxed a fraction. “He has no business treating you that way. I don’t care what happened to him.”

I shook my head. “It’s my fault. I got frustrated and threw Legos at him. But I’m just going to go home now.” I scurried down the stairs before my next round of tears released. I didn’t know if my parents were outside, but I needed to get out of the house.

“Gabby?” Carmen called, but I didn’t stop.

As soon as I opened the door, I felt relief that my parents had waited for me even though I told them not to. I ran toward the car.

Mom stepped out and hugged me as I broke down.

“It’s m-my fault, and h-he h-hates me …”

“No, baby. That’s not true.”

I didn’t argue with her. She was my mom, and moms were hardwired to be cheerleaders for their kids. But I knew the truth; I was the worst thing that ever happened to Benjamin Ashford.

CHAPTERTWENTY

ROXETTE, “LISTEN TO YOUR HEART”

Gabby

When we arrived home,I headed straight to my room with my bag, but before I could get my door shut, my sisters filed inside.

“What happened? Did you get into a fight with Mom and Dad?” Sarah asked.

“No,” I murmured. “I’m not like you two.”

“Ouch,” Eve said, sitting on my bed, but she knew exactly why I said that.

“Is it about Matt?” Sarah asked.

I looked at Eve, and her face confirmed Sarah had told her.

“No.” I stared out the window.

“Ben?” Eve asked.

I didn’t answer.

“Want to talk?” Sarah wrapped her arms around me, resting her chin on my shoulder.

As much as my sisters and I fought over the years, when one of us struggled, we all banded together to help. But there wasn’t anything they could do.

“Ben is so angry,” I whispered.

“You can’t blame him. He needs time,” Sarah parroted what everyone else said.

After being so violently rejected, I understood why they said that, but I didn’t understand how time would matter unless it gave him his hearing back.

“Let’s talk about Matt,” Eve said.

Sarah released me as I turned. The sour expression on her face said she wasn’t as enthusiastic to talk about Matt. Eve gave me a sly grin. Despite all that she’d gone through to find love, she still enjoyed stirring up trouble.

“Did you sleep with him?” Eve waggled her eyebrows.

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