Sweet Liar (Candy #2)(33)

Ethan’s expression softened. “But you’re glad you don’t have to live there.”

“Ethan,” she whispered sadly.

“Don’t feel bad.” He nodded knowingly. “You live in a big house with a nice family. I’m glad you do.”

Lea took a step closer to him. “None of us earned what we have or lost what we don’t have. We were born into it. But this won’t always be our lives. The life you have now won’t define you. Only you get to define you.”

I stared at Lea, impressed. When I looked at Ethan, he seemed a little surprised.

The warmth remained in his eyes and he smiled at her. “You really believe that?”

Lea nodded as he reached out and touched her cheek. Her gaze turned dreamy, and I could practically see the butterflies fluttering inside her.

But Ethan only looked defeated. After a long moment, he dropped his hand and walked away. Once he was gone, Lea burst into tears.

I moved to her side and put my arm around her.

She released a heavy breath, shaking off whatever she was feeling. “He’s never going to feel the same way I do. He thinks I’m cute or something. That’s all.” She wiped at her eyes.

I didn’t know what to say. I was afraid she might be right. Ethan didn’t look at Lea the same way she looked at him, although he seemed to genuinely care about her. Just not that way.

Wanting to do something to help, I reached into my bag and pulled out a tissue, and then handed it to her. “All this time you’ve had your mind set on Ethan, you haven’t really gone out with anyone else, have you?” When she nodded reluctantly, apparently embarrassed by that fact, I said, “Maybe it’s time you did.”

Lea eyed me incredulously. “Give me a few days to bury the body, okay?”

I sighed. “No one died. You’re smart and pretty, and you deserve to know what it feels like when a guy appreciates you and shows you. Before you finish your high school career, you need to date a high school boy. Once you graduate it’s frowned upon, and in some cases illegal.”

She snorted out a laugh and covered her mouth.

“What about Drew’s friend, Dominic? You thought he was cute in a Prince Royce kind of way, whoever that is. Remember?”

Lea folded her arms and rolled her eyes. “I’m serious, Candy. I’m not in the mood to talk about other boys right now. Besides, Dominic Anthony isn’t going to ask me out.”

“Well, he’s friends with Drew, and I’m friends with Drew. Some hints could be dropped.”

“No, I don’t think so,” she muttered.

I rubbed her arm. “If you change your mind, let me know. I really think it would be good for you.”

“Does Dominic even know who I am?” she asked, not dropping it like I thought she would. “I mean, did he ever say anything? Because I don’t want to look desperate here.”

I smiled. She was actually considering this. “You’re not desperate. And if he doesn’t know you now, that can be remedied.”

Lea’s eyes narrowed on me with hesitant interest. Ethan was going to be sorry when he saw that Lea wasn’t waiting around for him anymore. Not that making Ethan jealous was the point, but if it was a fringe benefit, that would be okay. She’d made it easy for him all this time, being free for him while he hooked up with half the girls in school. But if Ethan really liked Lea, and he saw her with another guy, he might change his tune.

If not, at least Lea would have some fun.

***





I filled Pumpkin’s food dish when I got home from school, and then I walked into my parents’ bedroom and sat down on the bed. I still thought of this room as theirs together, and not my father’s alone. My mother’s scent was long gone, but there was still a subtle smell lingering in the air that belonged to my father. It was a combination of soap, cologne, and shoe polish. I wondered when my mother’s essence started to fade, and whether my father’s would soon follow.

Scents and memories faded and time moved on, but a family once lived here. These walls had witnessed happy moments and devastating ones. Now there was only me and Pumpkin and the heavy weight of regret. I didn’t want this place to hold any more regrets. I didn’t want to look at my father’s things and miss him. He was supposed to be here. It was meant to be him and me, and I knew wherever my mother was now, if she could see us, she would be unbearably sad about how things had turned out.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, startling me from my dark thoughts. When I pulled it out, I was surprised to see a text from Jonah.





Jonah: What time is your appointment?





I read it twice. He still intended to take me?





Me: 3:30, but I can go by myself.

Jonah: I’ll be there by 3.





I stared at his texts as if rereading them would give me more insight into him. Wasn’t he upset with me? Maybe he felt obligated to take me since he’d already said he would.

Whatever his reasons, I had to admit I was relieved. If I couldn’t have my father with me, Jonah was the second person I wanted, even though it made no sense since we were pissed off at each other.

Jonah arrived right at three with his Jeep perfectly clean and shiny. I walked outside before he could come to the door to get me.