Page 46 (1/2)

Ellie and I sat at the kitchen table eating the tasty scraainst the counter sipping coffee Ellie didn’t notice the quiet between us at first because she was stuck inside her own head, and silence at this point didn’t seeirl is: with everything she was going through she noticed as going on with her brother and me And a lot sooner than I’d expected her to It was our fault--eren’t exactly subtle about it I got up to putin the sink and Braden moved to the other side of the rooet soe and Braden lass out of the cupboard and Braden e to put the juice back and heon?" Ellie asked softly, her brows drawn together as she watched us

We s’ back at her

"Guys?" Ellie looked paralyzed "Did the doctor call?"

Our heads jerked over to her and immediate remorse settled over us "No" Braden shook his head "No, Els We’ve got the appointment with Dr Dunham later this afternoon, just as planned"

"Then why are you two acting strangely?"

We stared at her i, because after aour faces, Ellie’s fell "You broke up"

Braden ignored her "Els, you should get in the shower, brighten yourself up a bit You’ll feel better"

"Because of me?" Ellie stood up, her eyes round "You broke up because ofsoleht to her shoulders I turned back to her "No, Ellie Not because of you This had nothing to do with you and it’s done We’re okay Don’t worry about us We’re getting you through thisout h What happened?"

Braden sighed "She doesn’t love et in the shower"

Since he wasn’t facing me I didn’t bother to mask the pain I felt at his words Untrustworthy cold bitch Untrustworthy Cold Bitch Cold Bitch Bitch BITCH

I also forgot that Ellie could see me and her eyes turned dark with sympathy

"Braden," she whispered, soft admonishment in it

"Shower Now"

Her eyes came back to me, worried I couldn’t believe she orried about me at a time like this "Ellie, shower"

"You’re worse thanshe’d rather not face off with two of the most tenacious people she knew, she headed out of the kitchen leaving us alone in a thick, awful silence

Finally Braden spoke, "You left some of your shit at my place I’ll drop it off this week"

He had stuff in ether for you"

It should be noted that at this point ere leaning against opposite ends of the kitchen counter, talking to the wall in front of us and not at each other

Braden cleared his throat, "You came back for her?" Was that hope in his voice?

"Well, sometimes untrustworthy, cold bitches keep their word," I answered stiffly, taking a sip ofdown on the counter "She doesn’t need your charity or your fucking guilt"

Fuck

Shit, fuckity, shit, fuck