I just couldn’t keep doing this. I couldn’t keep pretending our family was fine.
My words were calm and measured. “I’m not doing this anymore. I won’t be back next week. Until you go to therapy and start working out your issues and why you hate me, I will not step foot back in this house again.”
“Avery, I take it back,” she said again. “Your dad always understood you.”
“Because he tried to, and you never have.”
“Well, sorry he’s not here to mediate.”
“Me too.”
My mother scoffed as I fled. Dallas stood up to follow me as I headed straight for the door.
“Avery,” he said softly. “We need to?—”
I spun around to look up at him and his expression died when he saw mine. His eyes shone as he dragged me into a full hug.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry she’s like this. You don’t deserve it.”
“I don’t.” A sob loosed in my chest. “I need to go.”
He gave me another squeeze and then released me. “Want me to text Mateo? I’m sure he could pick you up.”
“No,” I said quickly.Mateo is hopefully having mind blowing sex with your friend right now.“I’ll go to June or Evie’s.”
“Okay. Are you okay to drive?”
“I’m fine.” I wiped my eyes quickly and slid on my shoes. “I can’t keep doing this, Dallas. I’m sorry.”
“She went too far. Austin and I will talk to her.”
“Good luck.”
Voices echoed from the kitchen and Dallas turned slightly, making a face. “Fuck, man. I’m so tired of this.”
“I know. Call me if you need me,” I said. “I’m sorry I can’t stay. I can’t keep doing this. We can’t keep acting like everything is fine. And until she starts to work on herself, I can’t keep putting myself in this position. Every single week, I have to jump through hoops to make myself feel okay. I can’t.”
“It’s okay,” he said softly. He genuinely meant it, too. “Thank you for trying. I love you and I’ll see you this week. We’ll make our own dinner plans, okay?”
The tension melted just a little. “Okay.”
“I’ll text in a bit.”
I nodded and drifted outside like a ghost, pulling my phone out of my pocket as I headed to my truck. I pressed June’s name to call as I got in and backed out of the drive, tears streaming.
“What’s up, buttercup?” June answered.
“My mom is a bitch,” I sobbed.
“Oh no. Need to come over?”
“Yes,” I sniffled. “Can you call Evie?”
“That bad?”
“Yeah. I’m not going to family dinners anymore.”
“Well, shit. All right. I’ll see you in a few. Did you even eat?”
