She levels a look at me. “Who else, other than him, ever makes you cry?”
Fair point, I think wryly. “I appreciate the concern, but if Shane and I have an issue, that’s between us.”
Mom purses her lips but manages to stay quiet.
“Thanks for the tea, Mom.”
“It helps to talk…”
“Not always,” I say firmly. “Sometimes it’s better to just keep calm and carry on, as the Brits like to say. Whatwouldreally help me is if you could just act normal, because I really am going to be fine.”
“Hey,” Ethan says from the doorway.
Oh, God.Now there are two of them. They are so sweet, but it’s suffocating. Shane is lucky to have his own house right now.
“How is everything?” he asks.
I don’t scream, but I’d like to.
“She’s okay,” Mom says brightly. “Gonna watch some movies.”
“Good, good. Listen, Ave, I got your text about changing your flight to Colorado. In terms of holiday plans, what are we thinking?”
We’re thinking I don’t want to be in Shane’s best friend’s house for days. A place where Shane could show up any time.
“Not sure,” I say, forcing a smile. “Some girls I know are talking about a girls’ trip. I was thinking I might use the New Hampshire cabin and go cross-country skiing.”
It’s true that a girl at Granthorpe who went to my high school suggested I come on a group outing over winter break, but I think the only reason she reached out is that I’ve been seen with Shane and Erik Sorensen. Those guys are part of the GU crowd everyone wants to join. So, before I invest in new friendships, I want to see how people act next semester when they realize I’m not with Shane anymore.
“You think you want to do that instead of Aspen?” Ethan asks, the skin between his brows pinching together to form a vertical line above his nose.
“I don’t know yet. I just finished finals. I’m gonna crash tonight and decide in the morning.”
“A girls’ trip is nice, but not over the holidays,” Mom says. “The Heyworths—”
“You know Declan is Shane’s best friend, right?” I blurt, cutting her off. “You remember that Shane lived with them when he was mad at us, right?” My voice is sharper than I mean for it to be. “Sorry. Just—can you guys do me a favor? Don’t try to push me into going somewhere I don’t want to go. And also, please don’t tell anyone anything about my plans.”
“Don’t tell anyone?” Mom glances at Ethan, and they exchange a look.
“When you say anyone…?” Ethan says, tilting his head.
“I mean anyone. I want to be left alone right now to do my own thing.”
My mom and Ethan share another look, and Mom nods. “Okay. If you want certain people to leave you alone, we understand. Maybe Ethan and I will change our plans by a few days, too.”
Oh, God.
“You’re crazy if you do, but I can’t stop you,” I say.
“Crazy?” my mom says, looking at me like I’m the crazy one.
“Why would you stay in Boston when I won’t even be here? And miss out on skiing in Aspen? It’s silly. Just go. Have fun. I’ll join you guys there when I’m ready.”
“We’re going to leave you alone right now, so you can get some rest,” Ethan says, tugging on my mom’s arm.
They step back and close the door, but I can still hear them discussing me. I sigh and open my laptop. When I start my movie, I turn up the volume to drown out everything else.
This is what you get for hooking up with your stepbrother.
