Page 26 of Friends to Lovers


Font Size:  

I helped Mom in the kitchen as much as I could. Three of my aunts from both sides were there with their kids, adding to the chaos of the house. There was so much food and I tucked my hair behind my ear as I let out a breath. We plated everything and set it up on the counter buffet style before I poured my second glass of wine. The kids got their food and went to their table before I stood in the long line, spooning various things onto my plate.

I sat at the table with my cousins and made small talk as I watched my brothers and their wives at the adult table. I could sit there but I liked it here better. Dad and I weren’t doing great, so I kept my distance. This worked. I was relieved that he didn’t invite a guy over to set me up with since the idea made me miserable.

I missed Sterling. I wanted to text him every moment of the day but chose not to. It was bad enough that we’d slept together here, and I didn’t want to pour salt into the wounds. I thought about that night by the pond all the time. I wondered what would happen when we got back to school. I wondered so much as I helped wash dishes to get away from everyone. I’d be leaving in three days and we’d be back to normal again. It seemed like we’d go home relatively healthy, too. At least, as far as our families go.

Mom took me shopping the day after Thanksgiving for the sales. She loved it while I merely tolerated it but there were good deals. I got some new clothes, and an updated version of my phone, telling my mom that I’d wait for the stuff to be transferred. I didn’t want her to see Sterling’s name anywhere on it. I was sure that she didn’t hate him, but Dad did. She lived by his rules. I walked out of the store and glanced around to find Mom, my eyes catching sight of Sterling’s mom and sisters. I paused to look at them, missing the old days when I’d be over there. Molly and Callie wouldn’t remember me at this point, but they were so cute when they were younger.

They were approaching me as I heard my name called out. Turning my head to the right, I saw my mom and froze as I realized that they’d be passing each other. Shit. They were adults and probably saw each other every so often. I was sure they handled it.

Sterling’s mom saw me, and her eyes took me in for a moment. The girls were chatting and not paying attention and I looked at my mom as she noticed the other woman. They smiled at one another, passing quickly as I joined my mom.

“Do you guys ever talk?” I asked her as she glanced at me. They used to be friendly towards one another.

“If we meet at the store or something, we say hello. With the way your dad and her husband are constantly fighting over business, it’s not a good idea.” She told me in a practical tone before looking at me. “That’s life, Rosie. Do you talk to Sterling?” I felt heat wash over my body, feigning a coughing fit as I bent forward. Mom tapped my back gently as I pretended to regain my composure.

“No. We don’t have classes together.” I replied after I was drinking a soda from the cup we got in the food court. Mom nodded as she glanced around the mall, her face thoughtful.

“There’s one more store I need to look at,” she told me as I nodded. I followed her to a big baby store where she got to work shopping for the baby boy and girl that were on the way. I watched quietly, feeling so far removed from this world that I barely had any interest. I didn’t grow up wanting kids since I saw how my dad was with Mom and us kids. He worked more than he spent time with any of us. I didn’t want that and being that Sterling was my best friend when I was a kid, I saw the same thing in his family.

She grabbed several things and told me that the baby showers were in a month. I was invited to come home for both on separate weekends, but I didn’t want to. I smiled and nodded as we walked to the car to head home.

The next day was spent relaxing, and I packed to go home that night. I was anxious to see Violet again and catch up with her. I was reluctant to tell her about Sterling, but I was dying to tell someone. I finished with my duffel bag, leaving something comfortable for tomorrow as I walked over to my window. I looked at Sterling’s house and sighed sadly. I missed him.

I got up in the morning to have coffee with Mom. Dad was in his office and that was fine with me. I watched the news with her and felt her eyes on me.

“Are you okay?” Mom asked as I looked at her. “You’ve seemed a little distracted this trip.”

“I’ve been thinking a lot about graduation. It’s coming so fast.” I told her as she smiled.

“I know,” she told me as she stroked my hair. I knew that she supported me at a base level and appreciated that. “I can’t wait to watch you cross that stage. I’m so proud of you.”

I grabbed my duffel bag from my bed after a light lunch. Walking it downstairs, I prepared to say goodbye to everyone. Mom hugged me, and Dad did the same in his distant way. He told me to drive safely before disappearing and mom hugged me again.

I carried the bag to the car and waved at her after I was inside. When I drove to the street, I noticed Sterling coming by and we stared at one another for a second. I grinned as I pulled out behind him, feeling like we were doing this together. He called my phone, and we talked on the speaker about the week. We didn’t mention our night together but spoke of relatives and the food. We talked about classes and all the work ahead of us. It reminded me of the old days when we’d talk all day and night. I could almost push away the fact that we were sleeping together.

I pulled into the parking lot of the campus after him, seeing that most of the cars were parked again. People were home from visiting families. Life was going to be back to normal. We got out of our cars and smiled at each other as we got our bags. I went my way and Sterling his, pushing through the front door and heading to my room. Violet looked up, and I dropped my bag to hug her tightly as we both squealed.

“I can’t believe that this is going to be normal life for us in a few months,” I told her once we’d pulled apart. “I missed you.”

“Come with me,” she told me as she walked back to her bed. We unpacked our bags and chatted about family, laughing as we compared stories.

“I saw Sterling once when we were there,” I confessed as she looked at me. She knew all about our family drama.

“How?”

“I went to a bar with some friends and he was there. We left together and found this gorgeous, private place. It was so taboo, and I loved that, but it ended when we left. I went back with my friends and got home late that night without my family even knowing I was at a club.” I admitted as she shook her head.

“You are an adult. You’re graduating for fucks sake. Why can’t you go to a bar?” Violet asked as I shrugged. “I’m glad you’re home even if it is just for a few weeks before you have to go back to hell.”

Christmas break was two weeks long. I did consider it hell and had no clue how I was going to make it through.

We went to class the following week and life settled back to normal. I kept my grades up and focused on classes. I was almost done after all. I was busy with classes and studying for the most part, not seeing a lot of Sterling.

I mis

sed him.

When he sent me a text on Friday afternoon, I jumped at the chance to see him. I felt pathetic as I met him in the parking lot to go to the pizza place in his car. We ordered food and drank wine as we chatted. It was like a great friendship until I felt his leg brush against my calf.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
Articles you may like