Page 106 of Bad Crush
She stands and walks over to sit beside me, pulling me into her arms. It’s a foreign feeling, but not altogether terrible. Once upon a time, curling up on the couch together was a regular thing. She smells just the same, like hairspray and her floral perfume.
My shoulders shake and I sob into her. I’m still pissed, but there’s something comforting that my body can’t deny. I let her hold me as I cry out my frustration and hurt. When I’m done, I pull back and wipe my face.
“I didn’t come here to make amends.”
“Why did you come?”
“Because I need to move on.” I twist my hands together in my lap. “And I guess I needed to see this place for myself to see that you were doing better. The old house looks better than I imagined.”
“Doesn’t it?” She beams. “I’m glad you think so. It’ll go for a pretty penny.”
“You’re selling it?”
Her mouth opens, and she sighs, then nods. She takes my hands in hers. “Think about what we could do with the money. You could pay for school or buy yourself a new car, have a nice little nest egg for when you graduate.”
“And you? Where would you live?”
Her eyes twinkle as her lips pull up into a smile. A rush of uneasiness floods my veins.
“I found a cute little apartment in Vegas.”
“I don’t understand. I thought you were back and working at the school.”
But I do understand. I understand all too well.
“This place was never for me. Or you.” She places a hand on my cheek. “You and I were made for bigger and better things.”
Closing my eyes, I focus on breathing and not the shattering of my heart. “What do you need from me?”
“Nothing. Well, the house is still in your name.”
“Got it. You need me to sell it for you.”
“For us.”
Laughter spills from my lips. For us. Right. “I should go.”
“Reagan,” she admonishes. “What about the house?”
“You want to sell it, fine by me.”
“Great. Let me call my realtor—”
“No. I think I’ll find my own. It is my house after all.”
The implication of that hits her, and she looks so shocked. “After everything I’ve done to the place? That’s rather selfish, don’t you think?”
“Selfish? Ha! Don’t get me started. If I’m selfish, it’s because I learned from the master herself.” I wave a hand at her.
“I did the best that I could. And look how great you turned out!”
“No thanks to you.” I take one last look at the house and at her. I know it’s the last time. She’ll have no more use for me after this. “I’ll make sure that you’re compensated for the renovations, but after that—you and I are done. I have nothing left to say to you. Stop contacting me. I don’t want to see you or read another email. You are not my family.”
31
Adam
“Congratulations, Adam.”Dr. Salco smiles—maybe the biggest one I’ve ever seen from her. I can see her teeth and everything. “We’re all really pleased to offer you the scholarship, and we know you’re going to be a great addition to the program.”
