“Oh,” he says as his eyes widen. “I’m aware.”
We’re sisters. We’ll always be sisters. But I don’t think there will ever be a time where we’re friends.
And that stings.
“Maybe growing up like this just teaches us what we don’t want.”
Cash exhales heavily. “Wild didn’t grow up in a normal home either.”
“Yeah,” I say quietly.
“Sometimes, he seems like the most normal one of the three of us.”
I scoff. “I resent that comment.”
“I just mean,” he says with a short laugh, “that you and I weren’t supposed to have messed-up home lives. Our parents were married. But I guess it doesn’t matter, does it? Toxic is toxic regardless of whether there’s a marriage certificate.”
“It’s true.”
Except without Isla around, Jason and Jill are pretty solid in their marriage. Unlike Fanny and Archibald were.
Cash takes a sobering breath as a gentle breeze drifts through the pool area. Families aregetting out of the water—mostly kids who are yawning or saying they’re hungry.
“There’s something I need you to know,” Cash begins.
I twist to face him and frown. “What?”
He reaches for my hand. I hesitate before letting him hold it.
“I still love you, Ingrid,” he admits quietly.
Did I hear him right?
He still loves me? Guess Wilder was telling the truth.
But I don’t want Cash to be in love with me. I don’t want him to confess his feelings or try to fight for me.
I want Wilder. No one else.
“I also want you to know that I think Wild is the better choice,” he continues as his hand falls from mine. “You’re happier with him. You were never this happy with me.”
I don’t know what to say, so I stay quiet.
“I didn’t get the version of you he does.”
“What version is that?” I ask.
He hitches his shoulder. “You’re more comfortable with him. I can see it.”
“I don’t know what to say, Cash,” I admit.
“I don’t want you to say anything,” he returns. “I just needed to get that off my chest. I want to be friends. Not close like Wild and I are. But I think it might be good if we can peacefully co-exist.”
I eye him, wary. “I’ve tried that for the past year.”
“I know,” Cash says, his head dropping into his hands before he gazes back up at me. “I’m sorry. I never meant to make things hard. I’ve been dealing with a lot and taking it out on the people who have been there for me has been… shitty.”
The corner of my lips tips up. “Did you just cuss, Cash?”
