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I opened the closet and was putting things away when I heard one of the twins say, “It’s not like it’ll be a hardship. Her mom is hot, like an older version of her.”

I made involuntary gagging noises in my throat. I hoped they didn’t say anything like that in front of my mother, I’d never hear the end of it.

“I don’t know, twin. Being an abusive bitch to Ariel makes her ugly as shit in my eyes.”

“You’re right, twin. I didn’t look at it that way and I should have.”

“What do you want me to tell Quinton?” Julian asked as the twin’s voices faded away. They must be headed down the stairs now.

I closed the closet door as Tyson said, “Tell him I said to fuck off.”

Curious at the change in their conversation, I turned to watch them. Tyson’s body was tense, his hands balled into fists at his sides. Julian looked relaxed with his shoulder leaned against the door jam, his arms crossed loosely over his chest, a smirk on his face.

“Your Uncle is going to be pissed. He wanted to come home sooner, and now with this shit…” Julian shook his head. “He’s likely to kick your ass now for talking the twins into staying for the whole summer.”

I had no clue what they were talking about and my head hurt too bad to try and figure it out. A numbness I hadn’t even been aware of feeling started to fade and emotions started to fill me up once again. Why were they in my bedroom? I didn’t even know anything about this Julian person and here he was in my bedroom, witnessing me far from my best. I didn’t appreciate this.

“Yeah, I get it,” Tyson bit out. “I fucked up several times. I am aware. It’s not like Quint doesn’t know what that feels like.”

“That’s why he’s going to kick your ass.”

My head started throbbing painfully. I needed them to shut up or get out. No, I just needed them to get out, period. They didn’t belong here in my bedroom, not when I didn’t really know them. I’d never had anyone outside of my mother this far into my personal space before. I wasn’t certain sure I liked it.

“Guys,” I grumbled.

Too involved in their own argument, they ignored me entirely. I walked out of the bathroom and made my way over to my bed where I sat down heavily. I needed Tylenol.

“Shut up,” Tyson snarled. There he was. With that snarl he was back again. Back to that person I’d first met yesterday. Had it only been yesterday? It seemed like longer. I frowned and placed my head in my hands.

“You’re an idiot,” Julian shot back.

“Fuck you.”

My head felt like it might explode. The more they argued the worse the pain became. I could take no more. Truly. I could not.

I sat back up and looked at them. They looked like they were about ready to throw down right here and start beating the crap out of each other. I w

anted to kill them.

“Get out,” I exploded and yelled at the both of them. They flinched at the sound of my hysterical voice before they turned to me. “Just get out. I can’t deal with this right now and I don’t want either of you here. So just get out.”

“Julian, go,” Tyson snapped.

I was done. I wanted them both to go but I’d settle for just the one if I had to.

After telling me (rather bizarrely, I thought) he’d see me tomorrow and shooting Tyson a nasty look, Julian finally left.

I sighed in relief. Now to get rid of the rest of them.

Chapter Eight

I laid back on my bed and covered my face with my hands. This day was a complete train wreck. I heard rustling in my bathroom. Tyson was digging through my things. Why? The faucet turned on for a second, then off again.

“Ariel,” his voice was back to gentle with a hint of sweet. “Sit up for a second.”

I groaned but obeyed. He handed me a paper cup filled with water and two white pills. Blessed Tylenol. I muttered a thanks before tossing the pills in my mouth and washing them down with water.

“You can lay back down now,” he told me as he gently slipped the cup out of my hands.