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When I walk back out, Jared looks at me. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
My father practically growls at me. “If you walk out that door, don’t ever think about coming back.”
Before I can answer, Jared takes my bags and says, “No problem.”
He and I leave to make our way back to his house. He holds my hand the whole ride. “Don’t worry. We’ll take care of you.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because we care about you.” He squeezes my hand. “Allof us.”
I can’t help but sob throughout the short trip back. Why is my life so fucked up? Why did I get such crappy parents?
When we both walk in the house, Reggie’s mom looks at us in question. Then she takes in my tears, Jared’s split lip, and my two packed bags. She seems to understand what went down without either of us saying a thing.
“Mandy, the guest room dresser is empty. I’ll clean out the closet over the weekend.”
“I can stay with Reggie.”
“No, you should have your own room. We don’t get many guests anymore. The bed is empty way more nights than it’s not.”
With my head down, I whisper, “Thank you.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
PRESENT
AMANDA
Ihad promised Jade that I would go to Darian and Jackson’s house for their weekly Sunday night dinner tonight. I think it’s her way of checking up on me before she leaves for Mexico.
As always, Darian is extremely warm to me when I arrive. She hugs me when she opens the door. “Amanda, it’s so great to have you here. I understand you’re permanently back in Philly now. I hope we’ll see you more often.”
I smile. “I’d like that. Thank you. Is Jade here?”
“Not yet. I’m sure they’ll be here any minute.”
This house is big and beautiful. Extremely modern. It was the biggest I had ever seen until I stepped foot in Beckett’s house. That house could swallow this one whole.
I walk into a giant sea of warm welcomes. Darian’s three daughters, Harley, Reagan, and Skylar, are there with theirrespective husbands, Brody, Carter, and Lance. Harley and Skylar each have one son and one daughter. Jackson’s three sons, Payton, Trevor, and Hayden, are here with their spouses, Kylie, Cassandra, and Jess. Payton has a daughter, Hayden has a son, and Trevor has twins, one of each.
Reagan, heavily pregnant at this point, pulls me aside. “Do you know anything about Jade’s love life?”
Of all her cousins, Jade is closest with Reagan. Besides looking alike, they have very similar personalities and obviously work together every day. They both lack a filter, love to stir the pot, and speak sexual innuendo as second language.
“Why do you ask?”
“Because I think she has a secret boyfriend.”
I nod in agreement. “I think so too. She basically admitted it to me but wouldn’t give me any details.”
“This is a big deal for her.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
“I hope he’s not living in a retirement home. I don’t want to see her get hurt.”
