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Bianca’s nose scrunches up. “Eww.” She looks at me. “Okay, yeah, no more scary movies. If I’m going to double date with you and Ryan again, how about we just avoid the movies all together?”
I didn’t tell Bee that Ryan and I agreed to just be friends. I don’t know why I didn’t, but in a way it felt like I failed, or maybe I gave up too easily on trying to get over Toby. Or maybe I was just fooling myself and I never really did plan on trying to move on.
Because as much fun as I had with Ryan, Toby was on my mind for most of the time. And no one deserves to have their date thinking of someone else while they're out with them.
“Bianca,” Bishop whines from within his room, and I giggle again. This man takes beatings on the ice, but I guess a hit to the nuts is game over?
“I’m going!” she calls back, rolling her eyes. “Later, babes, be good, have fun.” She winks before heading toward the elevator.
“Ready?” Toby asks as he steps back out of his room, closing the door behind him.
I do the same to my room and nod.
The whole way down to his car, we don’t say a word. I don’t know what to say or how to start a conversation with him anymore. Before, I’d talk his ear off and he would listen for the most part. But a lot of the time we would have random chats about anything and everything.
That was years ago, though, and I’m not sure where we stand anymore.
“How was your date?” he asks as we drive toward our house.
“It was fun,” I tell him, looking out the window, not able to look him in the eye, especially if this is the talk we’re going to have.
“I don’t like the guy,” he grunts. “He’s too cocky and very full of himself.”
“He is not.” I sigh. “Ryan is a nice guy, okay? He was nothing but a gentleman.”
“So, is he your new boyfriend then?” His question is harsh.
“Maybe.” I look his way. “What's it to you? I’m your sister, right? Why does it matter?” I shouldn’t get him going, but he can’t just act like this out of the blue again and expect me to be okay with it.
His nostrils flair. He won't look at me, but I can see his fingers tighten around the steering wheel, knuckles turning white.
“I care about you, Lilly. I don’t want some asshole taking advantage of you.”
“I’m a big girl, Toby. I can take care of myself. You don’t need to worry about me.”
His eyes turn to me, his gaze so intense, it has me pausing. “I will always worry about you, Lilly. Always.”
“MY BABIES!” MAMMA YELLS, running out of the house as we walk up the sidewalk towards the front door. She practically tackles me.
“Mom,” I grunt as she wraps her arms around me.
“I’ve missed you so much.” She starts to kiss me all over my face, and I just stand there, eyes closed while trying not to laugh but failing miserably.
“Alright, Love,” Theo laughs, prying my mother off me. “Let the girl breathe.” He wraps his arms around her from behind, kissing her cheek, and then grins over at me.
“I missed you too, Mom, but it’s only been a week. And we’ve texted at least once every day.” I laugh.
“I know, but I’m used to seeing you everyday. When are you coming back to the store?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll know more once I get into a steady routine. I’ve only been to a few of my classes once, so I’m not sure what my workload will be like.”
“Hello, Toby. It’s so wonderful to see you. Boy, have we missed you, son!” Toby says sarcastically from behind me.
Both my mom and Theo look over at him. Theo lets go of my mom to hug his son. “We’re happy to see you too,” he chuckles.
My mom wraps her arms around Toby and gives him a big squeeze. I let them be and head into the house.
I can hear my little brothers shouting from the living room. “What’s going on in here?” I laugh when I see Bennett being mauled by the twins.
