“Not the right time,” Evelyn whispers, glancing helplessly between her mom and me, clearly wanting me to shut up. “She’s just trying to give advice.”
“Advice?” I bite back, the bitterness rushing like wildfire. “It’s her version of advice, Evie. Where I’m supposed to be by now, what I should be doing, who I should be seeing, with her blessing. It’s… it’s her controlling me under the guise of ‘love.’”
I feel the eyes of the room on us, though no one’s making it obvious. People shift in their seats, pretending to be busy, but I know their attention is focused on us like a spotlight. The room stirs so quietly that you could hear a pin drop. Evelyn’s face tightens, trying to keep it together, but the discomfort is written all over her face.
With a quick glance,TíaMary’s smile remains unchanged, smooth and effortless, as if nothing’s wrong. But the sharpness in her tone pierces through, leaving a sting. “I just want what’s best for you, Allison.”
“Well, you’ve done your part,” I shoot back coldly, throwing my napkin to the side.
Ignoring the stunned silence around me, I march toward the door.
“Don’t, Alli. You can’t—” Evelyn’s strained voice cuts through the space.
“I’m done,” I hiss, stopping and spinning to face her, my chest tight with rage and sorrow. “She’s your mom, and you can let her tear you apart if you want, Evie. I’m not letting her do it to me anymore."
Before anyone can stop me, I grab my bag that hangs by the door, and I’m out, heading straight for my car. The golden streetlights shine down on me, but they do nothing to cool the storm brewing.
Chapter 46
Jared
The scent of pho lingers in the kitchen as I pull my sweatshirt over my head, trying to keep Serena from shoving me out the door before I’m fully dressed.
“Why aren’t you wearing gloves?” she asks from the hallway, her voice snarky but somehow still playful.
“Do I need gloves?” I call back, heading to the coatrack by the door.
“It’s ice skating, Jared.”
Her tone is pure sass, but I hear Tyler chuckle in the background, so I know I’m not in this alone. I’m halfway through untangling my scarf when there’s a knock on the door. Strange. We’re not expecting anyone, and it’s Christmas.
Serena peeks around the corner, her curiosity piqued, but she doesn’t move to answer it. Of course, she doesn’t. It’s me. It’s always me.
“I got it,” I mutter, rolling my eyes as I twist the knob.
The door creaks open to reveal Alli bundled up in a red sweater that’s at least two sizes too big, her cheeks flushed pink from the cold.
“Alli? What are you…?”
She fidgets with the strap of her bag, her eyes flicking past me to the hallway before settling back on my face. “Hey. Um, is it a bad time?”
Behind me, I hear Tyler whisper to Serena, “Guess he does own gloves.” She snickers, and I turn back to glare at them both.
“No, it’s fine.” I pull the door open wider, letting her in from the cold. “Come on. You’re freezing.”
She hesitates for a split second before stepping inside, stomping the snow from her boots onto the welcome mat. Her usual confidence seems… dimmer, like a light with the switch turned halfway.
“You okay?” I ask, lowering my voice so the others can’t hear.
She nods, but the motion looks jerky. “Yeah. Just needed to get out of the house for a bit. Hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Interrupting what?” Serena suddenly pops her head into the entryway, her grin lighting up the space like it always does. When she sees Alli, her face breaks into something even brighter, if that’s possible. “Oh my god, Alli! Merry Christmas! You didn’t even tell me that you were coming!”
“I, uh… kind of decided last minute,” Alli says, giving a sheepish wave.
Serena bounds over, wrapping her in a hug that’s as quick as it is tight. “Well, best surprise of the day, hands down. And you”—she turns to glare at me, though it’s more playful than accusatory—“didn’t tell me she was coming with us!”
“I didn’t know,” I deadpan, shooting Alli a questioning glance.
