Page 7 of Built to Hate You

“Better. Not great, but better.”

“Do you know when he’s being discharged?”

“Soon, I think.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

There’s a few seconds of silence. Mia looks like she’s about to leave. So I take a step toward her.

“Mia,” I say. “Look, I know you’re going through a lot with your dad right now. But when things settle down…can I take you out sometime?”

She stares at me. “You’re asking me out on adate?”

I nod. “I am.”

“Sorry, I…” She shakes her head. “I can’t deal with this right now.” She studies me again, and there’s something different, indiscernible, in her eyes. “I have to go. I have to help my mom with—never mind. I just have to go.”

And with that, she walks out of the room.

Chapter Five

Mia

Ican’t believe Axel has been putting extra hours in.

Mostly, though, I can’t believe he asked me out.

I mean, I have to say no, right? He’s the guy who ruined my life when I was fifteen. He’s the guy who belittled me in front of the rest of the school. He’s the last guy on this planet I should ever go on a date with.

And yet.

I mull over his question for a whole week after he asks me. With my dad’s health scare, I feel like I’m in too weird of a place to give Axel an answer. I’m too focused on helping my mom get my dad settled in at home.

“Are yousureyou don’t want me to stay longer?” I ask my mom on the evening of the day we bring my dad back home. This time, Axel isn’t working late in the house. It’s peacefully quiet.

“I’m sure, honey,” my mom says. “You’ve done plenty. Now go on home. I’m sure you miss sleeping in your apartment.”

I hesitate, though. “Actually, Mom, before I go…can I talk to you about something?”

Sitting down with her on the couch, I finally open up with her about what happened during high school. I don’t go into great detail, but I make it clear that Axel bullied me, and that I spent those years hiding my pain.

“Oh, Mia,” my mom says. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that. We would have done everything we could have to support you, you know. But I also understand why it was too hard for you to tell us.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“It’s hard to believe that Axel was ever like that.”

“He’s changed. Or at least he says he has. After I found out that you and Dad hired him, I went to his office and I confronted him about the past. Everything I’ve seen about him so far makes me think that he’s a decent guy now. But I still have my guard up around him.”

“Of course you do. I think anyone in your position would. I’m sorry your dad and I unknowingly put you into this situation. But they’re almost done with the renovation. And soon you won’t have to see him again.”

I chew on the inside of my lip. “Well, that’s the thing, Mom. Last week, Axel asked me out.”

“He did?” She looks surprised.

“Yeah. I was shocked, too.” I sigh. “And I don’t know what to do.”

“Do you want to go out with him?”

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