page99 (2/2)

Anger pulls at my every muscle, and my eyes fly to her

She slowly shakes her head, looking from my dad to me “That’s not—”

She cuts off when her rips her by the arm

Demi pulls her foot back the half a step forward she had started to take

“Oh, honey, don’t be silly” Her s her closer, an undertone to her words that can only be interpreted as a warning

My pulse spikes, but I forceI’ive anyone in this roo my anxiety

Des free from her mom and steps away Despite how pissed off and confused she is right now, my baby attempts to clear the air “I’m not sure what my mom told you, Mr Sykes, but I think there’s been some confusion”

“Are you not dating ly

“Yes Your son, not your stepson” She cuts a quick glance my way, uncertainty in her eyes but confidence in her words “I’m with Nico”

My dad isn’t deterred “Is Nikoli taking you to the dance, Demi?” he asks her

She hesitates, her eyes snapping toward mine

Is that not an obvious answer?

She keeps her focus on me as he adds, “Has he so much as mentioned it, let alone asked you himself?”

Doubt creeps over her and ins to itch

I glance across the room, from my dad’s silent, porcelain wife to De on Demi last

“Nico and I are going together” Her answer is straightforward, but it kills me to hear it

She had to be careful with her words, not let on that, no, I haven’t mentioned it, and no we haven’t spoken of it at all

I knohat she’s thinking

A to stand here and not say a word? Not confira but

Why the fuck a statue?

Why haven’t I grabbed her and drug her from this toxic place already?

Maybe I want to test her when I have no right to,in my dad’s house with his neife and chosen son is too arded hter wants when she realized Alex fucking Hammons, my unclaimed, bitch of a stepbrother wanted her, too

Whatever the reason, I say nothing at all, forcing an emotionless expression when all I really want to do is fall at her feet and erase the hurt in her eyes

Alex, though, he opens his mouth