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“Love you too, Mom.”
Getting off the phone, I arch over and rest my forearms on the dresser, muttering to my reflection, “One day at a time.” I’m sure Reid’s cold front will start to dissipate soon.
Genevieve shifts back and forth while watching me on the skateboard. “You and Reid seem to like dangerous things.”
I pause and squint at her. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, well.” She waves me off. “Be careful if you go on the road.” Peeling around, she climbs the steps back into the house.
“Hmm.”
I push off on the board and exit the residence from the small side gate.
It’s such a bright and hot day. I’m sure I’ll need another shower after this.
Skating around the long entrance, I hop up and land an ollie trick, flattening back on the ground. I repeat the move a couple of times. As I turn to face the road, I glimpse Reid walking in this direction, beads of sweat glistening on his face in the sunlight, and his tee is damp around the collar.
Breathing heavily, he comes to a stop before me and nods to the skateboard. “You’re not too bad.”
“Thanks. Logan taught me.”
At the name, he rolls his eyes and utters a low rumble. “Right. Your best friend.”
“Here you go again.” I fold my arms and cock my hips to one side. “Look, I don’t appreciate that tone. You don’t know him.”
“Or you,” he points out and steps past me.
Irritated, I yell at his back, “You’re right. We don’t know each other anymore. At least I’m willing to change that. Meanwhile, you’re acting like a brat and giving me a shitty attitude.”
Reid gradually breaks and glances at me sideways, gaze tight, face scrunched up.
“It wasn’t my idea to invite you here for the summer,” he deadpans.
I stagger back as if I’ve been whacked. “You know what? Fuck it. I give up. You don’t want me here. I’ll leave.”
Grabbing my skateboard, I brush past him and march to the house, heading straight to my bedroom. I angrily pluck the few dirty clothes from the hamper and shove them into the suitcase.
“That jerk,” I grit, having enough.
If I’d known Reid would be an unbreakable wall, I never would have come here.
Zipping up the suitcase, I grab my phone from the bed, ready to call my parents and tell them to book the earliest flight home. But my fingers freeze over the screen.
As much as I’m upset with Dad for lying and causing the bolder between Reid and me, he truly wants to mend his relationship with Aunt Helena. And she genuinely seems to want me here for the summer. An early departure might affect their progress and possibly restart the blaming game.
“Ugh!” I toss the phone back on the bed and yank the band from my hair, ruffling my curls.
Fine. One more day. I’ll give it one more chance.
Wanting a shower, I peel off the clammy top and bra. I’m about to remove my jeans, only to pause at the knocking on the door.
I grab the white tank from the chair, put it on, and call out, “Come in, Genevieve.”
The door opens.
It’s not Genevieve who enters.
Reid’s appearance jolts me like electricity. He’s still in his sweat-stained t-shirt and shorts.
