Page 85 of Wherever You Are

Daisy is sitting on her boyfriend’s shoulders near the staircase, and she bends her head beneath the mistletoe, kissing him upside-down. They’re in their own world. Thankfully not really noticing me.

Loren places a protective hand on his wife’s waist, and she scoots near him. While he focuses on Lily, I wonder,do you hate me like everyone else now?

I wait for Loren to acknowledge my presence. Not afraid. Not afraid.I’m not afraid.His dark glare drives through me, and fear curdles my stomach. I can’t even lie to myself. Can’t even pretend like I don’t care what he thinks of me.

I do care.

Loren’s glower carries ten times the potency of Rose’s—and her pierced eyes already make me want to run off this stupid porch.

Voice sharp like daggers, he says, “A co-worker doesn’t show up on Christmas morning looking for another co-worker.”

Dropping my gaze, I scrape the icy stoop with my boot. “Does this mat saywelcomeunder here? I can’t read it with all the snow.”

“He’s funny,” Rose says in a way that makes it seem like I’m decidedlynotfunny. She looks one second away from seeking revenge for the punch I sprayed on her and her daughter.

“You’re scary, no offense.” I cough into my glove and check over my shoulder, hoping Willow will show up early. I can still wait for her here. I look back. “You’re going to make me invite myself in, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

My eyes flit to each of them. Rose looks fucking murderous. Loren glares like I’m the shit on his shoe he scraped off yesterday but then reappeared today.

Lily is literally the only one that smiles, but it’s a weak, pitying smile. I don’t deserve anything more than that.

Each one intimidates me in their own right, but I’m trying to form words. For Willow. I’m trying.

Open-mouthed, my breath smokes the cold air. “I just…I wanted to tell her that…”I’m leaving.I let out a weak laugh, my eyes burning. Whatever. It’s all fucking over anyway, right? What’s done is done. It’s Christmas. I don’t need to shit on their holidays too. “Never mind, it’s fucking stupid…” I turn to leave.

Rose snatches my hoodie, and she physically tugs me backwards.

“What the fuck?” My heart lurches, and I spin around and quickly jerk from her hold, my pulse skipping. I frown deeply, not understanding Rose Calloway at all.

She should want me to leave. Not force me to stay.

“Are you asking her to prom?” Rose questions. “Because this is the most pathetic proposal I’ve ever seen. You need flowers, first of all.”

“I’m not asking her to prom.” My voice shakes. I can’t help it.Prom.I won’t even be at Dalton for prom. The cold realization ices me over more than the winter air.Just let it out.I lick my lips and say, “I came to tell her that I’m leaving, and I guess to tell you too.” I nod to Lily.

No more Superheroes & Scones. Shit. I glance at Loren, but he still glares, so I avert my gaze to the ground.

“What do you mean?” Lily asks.

Rose stares off in the distance, over my shoulder. Not paying attention to me anymore. She must see something because she grabs a coat from inside and slips on a pair of boots in the doorway.

I focus on Lily. “My parents handed me my only Christmas present this morning: a white envelope.” Bitterness dries out my voice. “I…theyare withdrawing me from Dalton and sending me to this boarding school for ‘proper guidance’ to finish my senior year.”

Rose passes me on the stoop. Honestly, I’m glad she’s set her sight on someone other than me.

“Where is it?” Lily wonders.

“Upstate New York,” I say. “Faust Boarding School for Young Boys.”

Loren lets out a long laugh. Maybe he’s happy I’ll be out of his cousin’s life, but maybe not. I don’t know. His humor is too dry to read.

“Lo.” Lily elbows his waist. “Don’t be mean.”

My brows furrow, not understanding either of them. “What?”

“Connor went to Faust,” Loren explains, “and from the stories he’s shared, you won’t last a day.” He flashes a half-smile.