“Okay. Deal.”
“Thank you.”
I fill them in on my upbringing and the latest shit show with my mom, and Hayley gives me the response I was after. “God, some parents suck.”
“That they do.”
Hayley’s told me a bit about her parents back in Australia, so I know she understands a little of what I’m going through. Blair’s parents, on the otherhand, are amazing. I’ve only met them once, but I would love for them to adopt me like they’ve all but adopted Zane.
Blair’s quiet, and when I glance over, she’s sucking her lips into her mouth, her watery eyes highlighting the depth of her sadness. For me.
And now I feel bad.
“Okay. Get it over with.”
“Oh, Jenna.” She leaps up from her seat and rushes over to give me a hug. “Hayley’s right; some parentsdosuck and I’m sorry you were dealt a shitty hand.”
“Thank you.”
“Is there anything we can do to help? How about you come to Jacksonville for Christmas with my family?”
I cringe at the thought, and wish I’d seen her invite coming because I would have hidden my involuntary response. “As wonderful as that sounds, I’m okay.” I had a short fling with Blair’s brother and would prefer to avoid him if I can. It’s not that we ended badly or anything. It was casual sex and we both knew that. But he joked about us “doin’ it again sometime” and that’s not what I do. “I’m actually thinking of getting away. Maybe heading abroad.”
I smile innocently, but they both see right through it. “Oh my God,” Hayley squeals while Blair’s hand flies to her face with her gasp.
“You’re going to Australia?” she questions, her jaw parting in surprise.
“Australia? I hadn’t really decided on a location. Australia could be nice. It's summer, right, Hayls?”
“It is.” Her lips purse as she suppresses a smile. “Christmas is the perfect time to visit.”
“Well, I mean, if you’re both suggesting it.” I shrug and Blair snorts out a laugh.
“Come on. What are you going to do? Confront Jack?”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking. You can’t send a letter like that and expect me to do nothing.”
“He was probably expecting you to write back. I’m sure he guessed, rightly so, that it would get a rise out of you.”
“A rise? Oh B, if I was a guy, my cock would have been at full mast while reading that letter. And Jack knows me, meaning heknew exactly what he was doing. The more I say it aloud, the more I think I need to confront him.”
“Yes!” Hayley cheers. “I am so here for this.”
“I don’t know.” Blair hesitates. “What are you going to say?”
“I’m going to knock on his door and ask him to explain himself.”
Hayley’s smile widens. “Please tell me you’re also planning on screwing his brains out?”
“I’m considering it.”
“Nooo.” Blair shakes her head vehemently. “What if you sleep together and it ruins your friendship?”
“You have a point. We’ll have to set ground rules.”
“That doesn’t work.” Hayley leans forward, her expression pinched. “Reed and I tried. The boundaries make it more enticing.”
“Hmm. It does give it a forbidden feel.”
