I couldn’t remember the last time I was able to say those two words. Thinking about it, I don’t think I’ve ever said them.
My hair was spread out around me as I laid on the floor with my hands under my head, my gaze on the ceiling.
“Okay,” Sawyer said. “What do you suggest we do then? It’s raining outside, so I really would prefer to stay in for once.”
“You really hate the rain, don’t you?”
“Yep. I’m not a fan of looking like a drowned rat, thank you very much.”
“I’m used to being busy. I always have something to do. Not that I’m complaining. Just...this is a very strange feeling.”
“You’ve never been bored before? I can’t believe that.”
“Yeah.” I pushed myself to sit cross legged. “I’ve always had to do something. Clean. Cook. Tend to other things. But for the first time in my life, I’ve got time to bebored.And I don’t like it.”
“You are one strange person, Scarlett,” she laughed, setting her phone down beside her. “Enjoy the feeling.”
“It’s not an enjoyable one.” It gave my mind time to think, and I wanted anything but that.
“So, then, what do you propose we do? Miles went with his mom to visit family out of state, and it’s just the two of us here. Nothing good on TV, either.”
“You’re the one who always has great ideas.” Mostly.
“Did that other guy, Collin, say when he’d stop by?”
“Sometime today, I think.” I shrugged, not really sure when he’d pop in—if he did at all.
“Have you thought about going back home yourself?”
“Yes. I don’t think just showing up out of the blue with my family would be the best choice. You’ve met them.”
“I think they would all be thrilled. You haven’t seen your mom or brother for months.”
“Yeah, thanks for pointing that out,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Anyhow, maybe you should think of stopping by. They don’t live all that far away, right?”
“About two or three hours.”
“See…so what’s the big deal?”
“What if they don’t want anything to do with me? I’ve changed a lot these past few weeks.”
“Then it’s totally their loss, chica,” she said, leaning forward to pat me on my knee with her hand. “They will miss out on the wonderful person you’re becoming. Plus, I could so take them all down if they ever treat you badly.”
A drawn-out sigh left my parted lips as I pushed myself to stand. I couldn’t stay sitting, or lying, much longer. I had to do something; I just didn’t know what.
“You do know that you’ve changed, a lot, right?” she asked, her eyes watching me closely.
“Yes,” I said on my way to the kitchen. “I feel it too. But I still don’t feel like I belong with my family. Or here, really. Well, I take that back. I feel at home here with you and Miles. Here, I know I’m safe. Mostly.”
“So why are you doubting it?”
“Why aren’t you?”
“I can’t help it. Nothing good has come to me in my entire life, you know. I just need to feel accepted, even though I know that’s dumb. It won’t matter in the end, but they are my family. Ones that I don’t really know as well as I’d like, once again due to my fault of not trying. But there’s Dominic, who hasn’t once looked at me differently.”
“I think he likes you, you know. More than like a family.”
