She removes her arms from the table and sits back in her seat. She purses her lips, and I can see her shoulders fall. “Okay,” she says quietly.
My brows shoot up in surprise and confusion. “That’s it? That’s all you’re going to say?”
She folds her arms across her chest. “What do you want me to say, Rowan? You said you got what you wanted out of it and that you’re happy.”
“You’re not mad that I went to see him?” I ask cautiously.
She shrugs. “Who am I to say what you can and can’t do?”
My body relaxes, and I feel like I can breathe again. I didn’t notice until now just how fast my heart rate went up.
“Are you going to ask me what I learned about him?”
“No,” Addie replies quickly while picking up her pizza and taking another bite.
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t care,” she says through a mouthful.
“So, you’re not even going totryto have a relationship with our dad?”
“I’ve gone this long without him, and I’m fine.” She has a bored expression on her face.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” My eyebrows tug together, my defensive shields going up.
“What do you mean—what’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re making it sound like I was never fine with him not being in our lives.”
“Because you weren’t, Rowan. You were a mess. He made you a mess. Why would I want to have a relationship with someone who caused my brother to hate himself?”
“I don’t hate myself,” I mutter.
“Ro, you’re my brother. I love you and would do anything to keep you out of harm's way, just like I know you’d do for me. Of course I’m going to take issue with our dad. But if you got what you needed out of seeing him, then I’m happy for you. Just don’t push me to do something when it comes to him. Please,” she asks softly.
I slowly nod my head. “Okay, I won’t bother you with it. But if you suddenly change your mind and want to ask about him, I’m here.”
“I don’t think that will happen any time soon, but thanks for the offer.” She lifts her pizza in a solute. “The only question I have is, did you make Ellie go with you?”
I take a drink from my cup before saying, “She invited herself. She was the one who drove there and back. Actually, she had to speak for me when we first got there.”
Addie nods. “That sounds about right.”
“She told me that she talked to Charlie.”
Addie raises her brows. “Oh?”
“She told him that she didn’t want to work things out,” I say before taking a drink from my cup.
Addie’s lips tip up in a smile and says, “What does that mean for you two?”
“I’m going to enjoy the rest of the summer with Ellie as much as I can. I did ask her on another date.”
“What!” Addie shouts, causing other customers to look at us. She ignores them and claps her hands quickly while giving me a toothy smile. The claps and smile stop abruptly when she says, “Don’t screw this one up, Rowan.”
“Trust me. I have the perfect plan for this date.”
fifty-two
