Page 97 of We Shouldn't Be Together
I blow out a breath, Dr. Jones’s sourness creeping back into my mind.“It’s not by choice, believe me.”
“So, those stitches you got? Did my dad do them?”
I tap the soccer ball along the grass as I text her back.“No, but he checked them before I was discharged. Then he gave me another one of his lectures.”
“Lol. He doesn’t seem to be your biggest fan.”
As if on cue, my stitches itch.“Is that a problem for you?”
“It’s a bigger problem for you than me. He doesn’t like to take people off the hook easily.”
“And he won’t care that we’re studying together?”
“No. It’s for school, and he thinks school comes first. Besides, I’m the innocent girl in all this. You’re the troublemaker.”
“I resent that.”
“No, you don’t. You love it.”
“Well, you’re not all that innocent.”
“Lol. To my dad I am.”
“Oh, I get it. Daddy’s little girl, huh?”
“Bingo.”
“So, your mom gives you a hard time, and your dad hounds your brothers?”
“Just Drew. Freddy can do no wrong. And Corbin’s the baby.”
My head jerks back as I read that last part, and I kick the ball away.”You have a third brother?”
“Yeah, he’s ten.”
“Whoa. Had no idea. Your house must be crowded.”
“Ah, yeah. We’re overcrowded with big personalities. It’s why I hide out in my bedroom.”
Something strange stirs inside me.“Is that where you are now? Your bedroom?”
“Yes. Why do you want to know?”
I jog up to the soccer ball, faking left, then side tap the ball to the right.“No reason.”
“Are you in your bedroom?”
I spin around on the ball, slide my foot over it, and flick it up behind my calf.“Not yet. Do you want me to be?”
“LOL! What is this conversation???”
I crack up laughing, letting the ball roll away from me.“I dunno, but it feels easy.”
“Yeah, it does. I like it.”
“Me too.”
I can’t help sighing after I send it.
