“You don’t have to be okay. It’s okay to not be okay.” I think I know this better than anyone, but I’m not sure I’m someone who should be giving advice. I’ve been trying not to think about the call I made the other night to JJ, but maybe I can do something good right now.
Luna huffs, playing with her long, dark hair. A tear slips down her cheek, and she wipes it away, appearing shocked it happened. “Shit. I promise I’m fine. It’s not a big deal. Parents fight, but I don’t think their kids usually wish for them to get divorced. I don’t know why I’m crying,” she mumbles, and I wish I could ask Kaitlyn what I’m supposed to say.
“I’m not a genius or anything, but I think you’re crying because you’re upset,” I say softly, trying to figure out what the best route here is because I have no idea what I’m doing. Speaking girl is like a completely different language I’m not fluent in.
She laughs for a few seconds, shaking her head. “What an excellent theory, Bailey.” Luna looks down at her lap, and Iwatch her closely, figuring there’s really not a right thing to say in this situation. The least I can do is apologize for creating all this upheaval in her life.
“I’m sorry.”
“What are you sorry for? I should be the one apologizing to you. Everything was fine until my dad said Carter wasn’t his real son during a stupid argument, which led to a domino effect that ruined your family. He might not be Carter’s real dad, but family is more than blood. I don’t know why it’s such a hard idea for people to understand.”
“My dad shouldn’t have abandoned your mom and Carter. I’ve never heard him so much as mention either of their names my entire life until I—” I’m quick to snap my mouth shut, but it’s too obvious that I was going to say something I shouldn’t. I’m so ashamed of the fire, and I don’t want it to cost me this family too.
“Until you?” she prods, curiosity sparked by my slipup.Fuck.
I scratch the back of my neck, not really wanting to admit this. “Um, it wasn’t my finest moment.”
“What did you do?”
“I kind of lost my mind after Carter found me. I was really upset about all of it, but when I found more proof, all I could think about was how my parents have lied to me my entire life. I...tried to burn my childhood home down. I didn’t know it would spread so fast, and I ran in to stop it, but it was too late.” I’m fully expecting Luna to get up and run in the opposite direction from me. This probably wasn’t what Ryan meant when he said I should go check on her.
“Personally, not what I would have done, but I get why you did it. Everything felt like a lie,” she says, nodding as if this is something people tell her every day. “People do all kinds of fucked up shit when they’re upset.”
Is she really justifying what I did?
“I mean yes, but that doesn’t justify it. I felt so guilty, I was going to come clean to my parents, but I heard them say Kiera’s name. They were wondering if she could have been the one to do it which just sounds insane to me now that I know her. They were talking about her wanting revenge for my dad ending their engagement.” Luna’s eyes widen, but she listens as I explain everything. I hadn’t planned to tell her every sordid detail of what led to me ultimately leaving my family behind.
“That’s all just . . . insanely fucked up.” Luna’s grimacing, and I can’t help the laugh that escapes me because that’s pretty much the only way to describe it. “I mean, what the fuck? Your twin told you that you’re not boyfriend material for Kaitlyn so he can make a move instead. Then, she ends up dating him? Not to be mean, but how much could she really have liked you if she was kissing him so soon after you?”
“I don’t know,” I say, ducking my head. It’s something I’ve wondered myself. It hurts to think Kaitlyn was playing us both because it’s not who she is as a person. It’s easier to think Hunter manipulated her the same way he did to me.
“She made a huge mistake,” Luna says, scoffing, and a smile forms on my face.
“Thanks, but I don’t blame her. Hunter has a lot less problems than I do. He didn’t try to burn down one of our family homes,” I point out, finding it kind of nice to tell someone the full story. Carter knows a lot, but I never admitted the arson to him. I’m sure he’d kick me out if he knew.
She reaches forward to grip my hand, giving me a smile. “I’m happy you’re here, but I can still be sorry that your family sucks.”
“And I can still be sorry your parents are fighting,” I say, and regardless of how I got here, it’s nice knowingthere’s at least one person who knows all my dirty secrets, and doesn’t hate me for it.
“I’m starting to think people in general might just suck, but definitely parents,” Luna says, laughing, and I think I agree with her.
CHAPTER FORTY
Kaitlyn
NOW
It feelslike the rain is never going to stop, and I’m going stir-crazy.
Henry was able to get a call through to me after he talked to their doctor, and they advised keeping her on bed rest until she can be seen by a doctor. I’m not sure when that will be because it’s a pretty safe bet everything around us is flooded. I’m just grateful Henry had enough sense to install a standby generator.
Javi is sitting on the bed playing UNO with her after Bailey suggested playing a game to practice his numbers. Bailey is editing photos on the floor next to me, and I’m reading—or at least trying to read—a book I found on Mira’s shelves that seemed interesting enough to hold my attention.
Maybe it’d be interesting if I wasn’t busy thinking about kissing Bailey.
I couldn’t forget if I tried because my lips are bruised, and I feel like a teenager again, freaking out because I kissed my best friend.
“Careful,” Bailey murmurs. “I’d hate for Javi to see us making babies again.”
