AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We didn’t hate her holiday parties. Well, my siblings didn’t hate them. Again, I was a moody prick and didn’t like anything that was considered social outside of hanging out with my friends.
If I didn’t already need another reason to feel guilty. I’d clearly been taken into consideration when it came to these plans. At least, when it came to my parents and our family’s involvement.
“I can stay home,” I said, doubting anyone wanted to share physical space with me anyway at this point. I’d most certainly have to deal with the guys too after all this, and they wouldn’t be happy I lied to them either.
“Full of solutions tonight, aren’t you?” My dad’s back hit his leather chair. He opened his hands. “And just because you’re in college doesn’t mean you aren’t going to be punished for what you did and how you treated someone, Ares. Lying to us is one thing, but what you did to Fawn was truly appalling. It is, and definitely not the kid your mother and I raised.”
He didn’t need to tell me what I did was awful. I knew.
Dad sighed. “Make no mistake, you will be dealt with, but in the interim, your mother and I need you kids to pack. Our flight for South Carolina leaves in the morning. As far as Fawn, your mom and I will talk to her. We have no problem with her coming along, but I highly doubt she’ll want to be around Ares after all this. She probably won’t, and we wouldn’t blame her.”
I wouldn’t blame her either.
“Bru, if you could get her into a room after we talk to her and something to eat?” Mom requested, her smile small. “We planned a formal dinner tonight to welcome you home, love, but…”
“I understand and no problem.” Bru’s attention cut to me, still pissed at me, and I didn’t judge that either.
“Any other announcements or surprises?” Dad opened his hands. “It’d be nice to have a normal Christmas once we’re down there, so if you have something, get it out right now.”
My dad said this, but now wasn’t the time for any kind of announcement. Not if he did indeed want us to have a normal Christmas.
And that much I knew.
My kid brother’s gaze hit the floor, but Sloane eyed me. I hadn’t known I had a twin for a very long time, but once I had, I was hard-pressed to keep shit from her. She was worse than the guys with her probing gaze. It was like she saw me inside and out.
Which was why my gaze hit the floor too.
CHAPTER FIVE
Ares
My parents dismissed me after our family meeting. I’d been strongly advised to head to my room and pack and didn’t dare attempt to determine the fallout of my actions tonight. I didn’t dare see the guys. I didn’t dare see Fawn, but what the fuck would I fucking say anyway?
There wasn’t anything to say.
I’d made things right. At least, where she’d been concerned. I let her go, and there was no way in hell she’d be going out of town with my family and me. She wouldn’t, and I wouldn’t even have to stop her. My dad was right. She didn’t want to be around me.
Even if she did try to save me.
I tried not to think about that part today. If I did, I’d think about the reason I cut off ties in the first place. The lines had been more than fucking blurred back then.
For both of us.
My bags packed for South Carolina, I attempted to get some sleep that night. I knew this was pointless. I didn’t sleep. I’d already been having a hard time before the semester began, but it was even worse these days. My body didn’t like beds no matter how soft.
Even still, I attempted, but my eyes opened at a tap to my window. Sighing, I sat up and didn’t even bother looking.
It was always the same person.
Instead, I gave my buddy Dorian some light when I tapped a digit on my beside lamp. Of course, that was after I worked some of the kinks out of my back and the feeling back into my limbs. I’d fucked up and slept wrong.
I was clenching and unclenching my hands by the time Dorian was standing in front of me, and I was surprised I hadn’t heard the taps sooner.
I’d shut off my phone.
Had that been weaker than shit to do? Yeah, but I didn’t need it from my buddies right now. My parents showed disappointment through headshakes and lectures.
My friends showed it through anger.
