Page 34 (2/2)

I know that was meant to cos better Wanting to hateto make

"I need to use the restrooht the tears er, and if I cried, I’d rather do it in the privacy of the bathroom I stood up, and Mae’s hands reluctantly fell away

"Do you re to shohere it was at, but I nodded first

"I’ll be right back" I dashed out of the roo it obvious that I was running away to cry

On o past the stairs, but that was as far as I made it Peter’s smooth voice stopped me sharply Hidden at the bottom of the steps, I could hear the to Jack, and he didn’t sound angry like he did in the living roo else

"I’ setic

"But you are! You should’ve seen how terrified she was to come over here, because of you!" Jack, on the other hand, definitely was angry

I winced at the sound of hier to listen to their argu it reasonably, as if he was only thinking of as best for me, not because he didn’t want me around

"You’re such an ass," Jack said "I like her, Ezra likes her, Mae’s practically in love with her She’s going to be around I don’t knohy you’re fighting everything so otten sharper "Ezra has Mae, and you’re too young And this is like a holiday for Mae! She’s alanted a daughter"

"Look, it doesn’tto be around, and you’re just gonna have to find a way to deal with it Without hurting her"

"You know I don’t want to hurt her" Peter had gotten so quiet, I could barely hear him, but his voice was unmistakably sincere He truly didn’t want to hurt me, or even hate me So why did he?

"Yeah, I do!" Jack snapped "So knock it off!"

"Okay!" Peter relented

The conversation appeared to be winding to a close and I could hear footsteps getting closer to the stairs I couldn’t have the, so I ran to the bathrooh I felt evenon