Chapter 225
I send the email to Benji, hoping they’ll be able to fix the mess Jocelyn made. Once again, she butchered my report because she’s convinced I lack the skills and that her assessment was somehow superior. At this point, I’ve stopped believing it’s a mistake. I know exactly what she’s doing.
She’s trying to frustrate and sabotage me. I mean, if she can make our bosses think I’m incompetent, then she can take my position, right?. Good thing I have a team that actually backs me up; otherwise, she would’ve succeeded a long time ago.
I lean back against the headboard, rubbing my eyes. I spent most of last night packing for the trip with Lilly and texting Adrian.
Just thinking about him makes my lips curve into an involuntary smile. I never thought I’d be this hooked on anyone. Have you ever met someone and felt like you’ve known them your entire life? That’s how it feels with Adrian.
I’m so comfortable with him. Our conversations flow so easily that sometimes I have to pinch myself just to be sure this isn’t some elaborate dream.
I’ve had men in my life. Some stayed longer than others but none of them ever made me feel like this. None of them intrigued me or held my attention the way Adrian does.
Shaking my head, I force myself to stop thinking about him. I feel like a teenager again, daydreaming and getting distracted over a boy. In my case, that boy used to be Noah, but we are not going to go there.
I’m just getting out of bed to start getting ready when my phone rings.
I swipe the screen. “Hey, Mom p>
“Hey, sweetie,” she says gently. “How are you holding up p>
“I’m good. I was just about to get ready for the day p>
I love my mom’s calls but the careful tone in her voice tells me this one isn’t casual. Something’s coming.
“When are you going back to your house?” she asks, partly out of concern and partly to buy herself time.
“Soon,” I reply.
I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately, and I think it’s time I go back to my own home. Staying with Noah brings up things I’d rather forget, not to mention Brook. Sure, Noah kicked her out, but as long as I stay here, she’ll keep finding ways to target me.
“That’s good,” my mom says, dragging the word out before falling quiet.
I sigh. “Mom, I know there’s something on your mind. Just say it p>
“Fine,” she replies, and I can almost picture her rolling her eyes. “Ava told me something yesterday p>
My whole body stiffens. I already know where this is headed.
“And p>
“She told me you were at Noah’s house. She asked if you and Noah are together.” She pauses. “And I’d like to know too p>
There it is.
I take a deep breath. “You know very well that Noah and I aren’t dating, Mom. There’s nothing going on between us p>
“Then what were you doing at his house p>
“I’ll tell you the same thing I told Aunt Ava. I was coming from a day out with the twins p>
It’s only partly the truth and as much as I plan to tell her everything eventually, I don’t want her to know that I’ve been staying with Noah.
At the time, agreeing to the arrangement felt like the safest option. Now, I’m realizing that distance might be the better choice.
“Why do I feel like there’s more to this?” she asks, doubt coating her voice.
Because there is… but I don’t say that out loud.
“Mom p>
She cuts me off. “Don’t Mom me. I know you’re lying, Sierra and you know I don’t like lies p>
I clench my fists, close my eyes, and then open them again. I already decided to tell her the truth. I thought it’s best to come clean with her first, before I do the same with Aunt Ava and Uncle Rowan.
“I’ll tell you the truth,” I whisper. “But only after I come back p>
“Come back from where? And what truth p>
“I’m going on a trip with Lilly,” I say. “We’ll talk when I get back p>
“Why not now p>
“Because it’s a long story p>
And because I need time to mentally prepare myself.