I let out a harsh laugh. "Did the guys put you up to this?"
I look in the direction of the gaming room before remembering that they already went home hours ago. Doesn't matter. I'll deal with them tomorrow.
Aria ignores my question. "I think we should put Mom in rehab again. We had a long talk the other day. She wants to give it another try. I think this time her sobriety will stick."
My eyes snap back to her. "What if it doesn't? What if she relapses again?"
Why is she even suggesting this? She knows what happens every time we get our mom into rehab. It always ends in disappointment. And among the three of us, Ethan's the one who takes it the hardest. He's been given plenty of false hopes, only to get disappointed in the end. I can't put him through that anymore.
But I can admit that Mom continues to show some semblance of improvements. She constantly checks up on Aria after learning about the assault, making sure she's okay. Cooking meals for us, like she used to when we were kids. Talking to Ethan about school, like a normal caring mom does.
Still, I'm not sure that those improvements mean that she's willing to undergo treatment. That she's ready to fight her demons and come out as a victor.
"What if it does? We'll never know until we give her a chance to prove herself. But even if she does relapse, we'll deal with it together as a family. The sole responsibility doesn't have to rest on your shoulders anymore."
"Then everything goes to shit and Ethan gets his heart broken again. We can't do that to him."
Aria scoffs. "Like seeing her in her current state isn't already hard for him? How do you think he feels right now?"
I open my mouth then snap it shut. Because it's the truth. It's already distressing our brother to see Mom in that way. He doesn't say it but it shows. My gut even tells me that he somehow blames me for it.
Another failure on my part.
"It'll be fine. We'll figure it out."
My eyes snap back to her. "We?"
"Yes, we," she puts emphasis on the word, folding her arms over her chest. "I may not look like it, but I can handle a little responsibility. You can count on me to help you out. You don't have to do it all by yourself anymore."
I remain silent, conflicting thoughts and emotions going through me. I want to take her up on her offer. To be able to go after what—or who—I want without any hesitation.
Sawyer.
A mix of hope and longing springs, gripping my chest tight, making my breathing ragged. Is it possible?
"I've been doing all of it by myself for a long time," I say in a weary voice.
I don't know how to relinquish some of those responsibilities. I'm not even sure if I can. I'm used to making things as easy as possible for my siblings, shielding them from the harsh bits. If I let her in on some of it, I won't be able to protect her fully.
Is she ready for that? Am I ready for that?
As if she can read my thoughts, Aria smiles. "Like I said, we'll figure it out."
CHAPTER 36
Sawyer
"So, Mom and Dad are taking my brothers to my grandparents this weekend," Quinn says without preamble, coming up to me just as I'm about to open my locker. "Sleepover at my house?"
"Sure," I shrug absently, pulling the door open, blinking in confusion when a few rose petals fall out. When I look up, I see why.
My locker is stuffed with more than a handful rose petals. They come in varying colors, too: white, pink, red and lavender.
"What the hell?" Quinn blurts next to me, peering inside as well. "Why do you have rose petals in your locker?"
"I don't know," I say, completely dumbfounded. "I didn't put them in there."
"Then who?"
That's exactly what I'm wondering about. Who put the petals in there—and why? Maybe this is some kind of a prank.
I warily glance around, but no one seems to be paying attention to us.
"Wait, I see something." She grabs something underneath the pile. "Huh. It's a greeting card."
A pink greeting card with my name written in the front. Frowning, I take it from Quinn and flip it open.
Forgive me.
I stare at the message, my heart skipping a beat. Parker is the only person I can think of who could be responsible for this. And I'm pretty sure it's his handwriting. Yeah, it had to be him.
But what does it mean? Why is he asking for forgiveness? Suspicion gnaws at me as I stare hard at the card in my hand. Is this a ploy to get back together with me? But he's the one who ended it. Did he change his mind all of a sudden?
"I bet Parker did this. I bet this is his way of telling you he wants you back." Quinn has come to the same conclusion.
But do I really want the same thing? Do I want him back in my life? Even after what he did almost broke me?
Anger and resentment pull at my gut, reminding me that the wound he caused is still fresh. He thinks he could end our relationship and then bring it back because he feels like it. He must be out of his mind.
Slamming my locker shut, I crumple the card in my hand, my face hard. If he thinks he can win me over this way—or at all—he'll be sorely disappointed.
She smirks. "So I'll take that as a nice try?"
"Oh, yeah." My lips form in a thin line as I toss the crumpled card into the nearest trash can. "He can go screw himself."
Quinn laughs lightly as we start to head for class. "That's what I'm talking about. Make him sweat before he gets to the
