Page 39 of Only Ever Yours

Fuck.

I have no idea what I’m going to do next.

My mom doesn’t understand the true tension between my sister and me—not really. She thinks it’s just normal sibling drama, only she doesn’t know it runs far deeper than that. My sister is just a backstabbing bitch, and I just don’t have the heart to tell her the truth.

Haleigh invited me over again tonight for dinner, only this time I’m bringing the food. I couldn’t let her cook for me yet again.

After stopping at our favorite local pizzeria downtown, I’m on my way to my bestie's house, bringing all ourfavorite junk food. Not the healthiest dinner option, but it’s just what we need.

My whole bedroom is packed up, and the rest of the house is in boxes. There's nothing left for me there, not even a place to sleep.

My mom wanted me to go out to dinner with her and Breanne, but I just can’t be around my sister right now. I don’t have it in me to sit across the table from my sister and pretend everything's fine. It's not. Not even fucking close.

So, instead, I’m headed to Haleigh’s tonight for some much-needed girl time and movie night. Anything to drown out the ache in my chest while my whole life falls apart around me.

Jaydon

Walking into the foyer of Haleigh and Ryan's house, I hear soft voices mingling with laughter, pulling me in that direction. Hardwood floors creak beneath my boots as I make my way towards the living room.

I would have knocked, but Ryan knew I was coming over, and they never lock their fucking door anyway. So, like always, I just let myself in.

When I turn the corner to the living room, I spot her.

Ellie.

She's sitting on the couch, deep in conversation with my sister, so I silently take a moment to study her profile. Fuck she’s gorgeous with her honey-blond hair twisted up into some kind of mess on top of her head, strands falling loose and framing her face. She's so effortlessly beautiful and doesn’t even realize it.

Haleigh speaks when she notices me standing there. “Oh hey, Jay... I didn’t know you were coming over tonight.”

Ellie's eyes bounce up to me for a moment, but she quickly reaches for her phone and glues them to the screen. She barely glanced at me, but I didn’t miss the sadness etched into her eyes.

Stepping further into the room, I speak, “Yeah, I called Ryan earlier. I need to talk a few things over with him.”

She waves me off, “Okay, well, he’s not in here… probably in the office, so go find him.”

Haleigh’s pleading with her eyes, trying to get me to leave. But now I need to know what the fuck is going on with Ellie.

I know she wants me to go, but for whatever reason, I just can’t. I’m drawn to this fucking woman like a moth to a flame.

I wish I could go over there and somehow pull the sadness right out of her body. What the fuck is wrong with me? I’ve never been affected like this by a woman. Not once.

And yet, I’m always a dick to her—and I know it.

So instead, I do what I always do—play along like I have no clue that she’s sitting there, upset and trying her best not to completely fall apart.

Once I reach the couch, I start to sit down beside Ellie. There’s not enough room for me to actually fit—but I don’t give a fuck. I push my way onto the couch, sliding her over a bit with the bump of my hip.

Ellie's back is to me, and I’m fully pressed into her. I hear her huff in irritation, and my face lights up with a smirk.

I sling my arm around her and onto the back of the sofa, then prop my feet up on the coffee table.

Haleigh shoots me a look. The one that she always does when she pissed at me.

But I don’t care. I’m not going anywhere. I’m gonna sit my ass here and find out what the hell is going on.

“So, what’s going on tonight, ladies? Any gossip I should know about?” I pry, glancing between the two ofthem—seeing only the back of Ellie's head and the pissed look on my sister’s face.

Ellie remains silent, still not looking at me, but Haleigh doesn’t hold back. I didn’t expect her to, though.

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