“He’s not my boyfriend anymore, Mother,” I grit out. I can’t believe she’s doing this. I mean, yes, I can, but I am wholly unprepared.
Penn’s glare intensifies, burning the side of my face.
My mother literally gasps as if the news of Chad’s and my split is the craziest thing she’s ever heard. “What! Since when?”
“Forever ago.”
“Impossible. You didn’t mention that when you were home. Or at Christmas! He sent me a gift, for heaven’s sake. Why would he do that if you were broken up?”
I wince, glancing at Penn. His brows are pulled low, and I can see him trying to calculate dates in his head. He stands up and moves to the door. “I’m going to go,” he says.
I jump up, my heart thundering in my throat. He pauses, turning to me, brow arched, waiting.
He’s always waiting for me.
“Oh, Olivia, no.” My mother laughs, and my eyes slowly shift to her. “If he is the reason you’re no longer with Chad and why you’re getting these silly ideas in your head about staying here, then forget it. It’s not going to happen. There is no future for the two of you.”
My jaw hangs open. Words want to escape my mouth, but I can’t get them out. Penn waits another beat, then slips out the door. My heart sinks, and I drop down on the couch, staring at the door he disappeared from, like he might come back and tell me to fight for him. That we’re more than what we said, because it feels like we are.
But I can’t blame him for running for the hills. This drama is the last thing he needs on top of everything else he’s had going on. He’s probably deciding I’m not worth the hassle that is my mother.
“I knew something had gotten into you, Olivia Jane. Honestly, I didn’t believe it at first.”
“What are you talking about, Mom?”
“When Chad called and told me you’d been hanging out with some boy in a rock band, I thought it was a prank! Then he told me the guy had beaten him up! What on earth has gotten into you?”
I gape at her. “Chad called you?”
“Yes, of course. He was worried about you, and frankly, so am I. I figured it was a phase, and your father said to let it go. But then, when you came home and started talking all that nonsense about staying here, I knew. Are you on drugs?”
“Mrs. Whittington, I assure you—” Ellie tries to intervene, but my mother lifts a hand, silencing her.
“This conversation is between me and my daughter.”
Ellie’s eyes narrow, but she doesn’t argue.
I rub my temples, a headache starting to build. “Mother, I am not on drugs! Jesus. I can’t believe you talked to Chad.”
“He’s looking out for you, Livvy. He loves you.”
I laugh dryly. “He doesn’t love me, Mother. He broke up with me so he could sleep with other women.”
Her eyes bug out of her head at my snarky tone, but I can’t help it. I’m so angry that my vision is starting to blur. How fuckingdarehe. I wish I could go back in time and watch Penn punch him all over again. I wish I’d taken the opportunity to swing too and get a good shot in.
She scoffs. “He’s a young man. That’s what they do. He was going to come back to you.”
“Too damn bad!” I yell. “He lost his chance. I want nothing to do with him.”
Her mouth falls open. I’ve never raised my voice or cursed at my mother.
“I don’t want him, and I don’t want to move back. I love it here and I l?—”
“Oh, stop it!”
Was I going to say I love Penn? I’ve tried not to think about it. I was scared of how strong my feelings were becoming. I just wanted to enjoy every second with him, and I have. He so easily slipped into my life, like he was always meant to be there. I didn’t want to think further than the moment, but now…
“That boy is a phase, Olivia. You two do not have a futuretogether. You will come home and take your place at the club as we’ve always planned.” My mother stands. “If you don’t, well, then good luck supporting yourself with no money.”
