Page 69 of Good Time Boyfriend
It almost didn’t seem real.
But then his parents had shown up and everything changed.
I hadn’t known what to say. I didn’t think anyone had. Ford and Noah tried to protect Greer, but she had stood in front of them, wanting to stand up for herself. I wasn’t sure how they had been able to hold back from doing something to her parents. But they had bundled her up and escaped with her as soon as possible.
I knew what their parents had done, splitting up the family constantly. But I didn’t know the details. I didn’t know why Luca looked like he was going to throw up, why August was so angry.
But I did know Heath thought the responsibility was on his shoulders. Even if that wasn’t the truth. He felt that way. I hadn’t been able to help. He kissed me on the cheek and said he needed to go back and check on August, and that he would call me.
Instead of sleeping together, talking through it, and letting me try to help, he walked away.
And he hadn’t called.
I swallowed hard but continued to stir, adding the tomatoes. They would wilt, and then I’d be able to pop them to make my own version of sauce. I added some fresh parsley, because I had a plant that I hadn’t killed yet, and bit my lip, wondering if I should have done something different. I hadn’t called him, but I had texted, and he’d replied with a short message that he was okay. But it didn’t seem like enough. I knew how families could be. I knew things were complicated and sometimes you couldn’t fix everything. But it still felt like I was making a mistake. That I wasn’t doing enough.
Because he was hurt, and I wanted to help. And even though I knew I couldn’t do much, I wanted to help him.
Because I loved him. And I wanted to keep loving him.
Once everything was ready, I drained the pasta, added a little pasta water to my sauce, and then topped the pasta with the tomato medley. It wasn’t perfect, and I was pretty sure I hadn’t added enough oregano, but it didn’t matter. I was going to eat it at the counter, then go back to work.
I had just taken my first bite when the doorbell rang.
I frowned and set my plate on the counter before going to check who it was.
My heart warmed and a huge smile spread over my face as I opened the door for Heath.
“Hey, I didn’t know you were coming over.”
He shrugged and looked past me.
“Sorry. Long day. Can I come in?”
There was something in his tone that worried me, but I stepped back and put my hand on his chest.
He didn’t kiss me. He didn’t touch me.
What was going on?
“I just made dinner but there’s probably enough for two. If you’re hungry.”
He shook his head. “No, I’m fine. Thanks though. It smells good.”
“It smells okay. I had a long day at work, but I’m trying to eat something that isn’t junk food. Pasta counts, right?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
I frowned, trying to read his face. “What’s wrong? Did your parents come back?”
He snorted and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “No, they’re long gone. They said they would stay for a bit, but they left. There’s nothing here for them. I think, hopefully, they’re realizing that.”
Something cold washed over me, at the frankness in his tone, the anger. I couldn’t fix this. He had to do it. Or maybe he had to realize that there was nothing to fix.
“Why don’t you take a seat? Can I get you something to drink?”
“I can’t stay long, Devney.”
Again, that sick feeling hit me, and I swallowed down the nausea.
