“Yeah, well life before you guys was pretty damnshit.”
The room is quiet. We never talk about our pasts, what we each went through with our parents and then our grandma. It’s not worth talking about, especially when it’s clear Audrey’s life turned out just fine. Mine may too, but no matter what I’ll always be fucked up from everything I went through.
“I know it was,” she agrees softly.
It’s quiet again, and this time I don’t like it. I push back from the table. “I should go.”
“No,” Audrey calls out. “We want you to stay.”
I look at Charlie, feeling bad he’s always been caught in the middle of the two of us.
“Dessert anyone?” he offers, and it actually helps dissipate some of the tension that’s surrounded us.
Everything feels calmer after that, and for the first time in I don’t know how long, I actually enjoy spending time with them. We don’t talk about anything too serious because that’s when Audrey and I tend to get into it a bit more.
As I’m sitting on the couch, dying to stretch my arm out because it’s feeling a bit more stiff than usual, I get a text and practically shoot up to my feet when I see it’s Rae.
Rae
What’re you doing?
Asher
At Audrey’s. What’re you doing?
Rae
At the studio.
Asher
In LA?
“Who’re you texting?” Audrey nudges me as she walks past to sit back on the couch with a fresh cup of coffee she just got for herself and Charlie.
“No one,” I mumble.
Rae
No, here in Denver. It’s a private one my mom used to use a lot. Want to see it?
Asher
Tell me where, I’ll be there.
“A girl?” my sister goads, and I shake my head, tucking my phone into my pocket.
“Nope, but I’m going to head out, thanks for dinner.”
“Yeah, sure, you’re not going to meet a girl,” she rolls hereyes sarcastically. “I wasn’t born yesterday, and I’m alsoveryfamiliar with being in my early twenties.”
“I’m not talking about this. I’ll see you guys later.” I head to the elevator to leave, just hoping I can get out of here without her hounding me for more information about where I’m going or who I’m seeing.
Rae sends me the address, and as soon as I step into the elevator I take my arm out of the sling.. I still can’t use it too much, but I can give it a break. Especially to hopefully have a little fun.
CHAPTER 19
Rae
